Greta Gerwig will helm the upcoming adaptation ofThe Chronicles of Narnia, and the classic fantasy series will get the same treatment as the director’s other projects.A hallmark of Gerwig’s work is how character-driven her narratives are,and this can fix some of the underdeveloped individuals and storylines in the original books. Written by C.S. Lewis, theNarnianovels are best known for following the adventures of the Pevensie children. However, Lewis' later installments expand the world of Narnia and touch upon exciting new heroes and villains. The White Witch isn’t the series' only terrifying antagonist.
There areharsh realities of readingThe Chronicles of Narniaseries today, but many are fixable issues that will allow Gerwig to take creative liberties with her adaptation. Part of the reason theNarniabooks are still so popular is because of how compelling the original conflict of the first book is. The war between the White Witch and Aslan that the Pevensies must take on is a universal tale of good versus evil, and Lewis expands on this fight in the other novels. However,there are otherNarniaantagonists who deserve the nuance the White Witch gets.
Greta Gerwig’s Narnia Movies Can Finally Flesh Out The Lady Of Green Kirtle In More Depth
In some ways, she’s one the most compelling villains of the series
Out ofeveryChronicles of Narniabook,The Silver Chairis one of the most underrated, as a later installment of the series.Since it’s later in the series and doesn’t feature any of the original Pevensie children, it feels slightly disconnected from the rest of the novels, and the lack of depth in the Lady of the Green Kirtle is part of this. The book follows Eustace, who was inThe Voyage of the Dawn Treader, and his schoolmate Jill. In Narnia, they meet the aged King Caspian and are charged with finding his missing son, Prince Rilian.
The Lady of the Green Kirtle tries to thwart the children in their quest, but it’s unclear why she does this.Her reasons for capturing Rilian and leading Eustace and Jill into danger are never explainedin the text by Lewis. One-dimensional antagonists are a frequent problem in children’s literature that centers on villains with no deeper motives or backstories. However, to appeal to modern audiences, Gerwig must include a reason for the Lady’s behavior. In the same way thatGerwig’sNarniamovies can do justice to Susan’s character, the new films should give the story’s villains the same treatment.
1950
The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe
1951
1952
1953
1954
The Horse and His Boy
1955
1956
The Last Battle
I Hope Greta Gerwig’s Chronicles Of Narnia Remake Explores A Fascinating Detail From The Movies
Though the movie iterations of The Chronicles of Narnia aren’t universally praised, there’s one aspect of films that Greta Gerwig should keep.
The Chronicles Of Narnia Remake Can Fix Another Problem Through The Lady Of Green Kirtle
The history of the witches in Narnia can be explored through her narrative
Worldbuilding is a critical part of any fantasy series, and many aspects of the Narnia universe make sense and follow logical rules. However,the witches ofNarniaare a facet of the story that could do with more development.The Lady of the Green Kirtle is the most prominent example of this as though she’s an interesting character, her connection to the larger world is never explored. It’s possible that she’s related to the White Witch, who is another fantastic part of theNarniauniverse. Discussing their connection and the history of witches in Narnia would be fascinating.
Oftentimes, the best part of any fantasy series is the villains, as their moral justifications for their actions push the heroes to reflect on their values.
If Gerwig stays with the newThe Chronicles of Narniafranchise through the adaptation ofThe Silver Chair, there’s no reason why she couldn’t create new facets of the lore. Gerwig has always focused on strong female characters in her movies, so the Lady of the Green Kirtle and the concept of witches in Narnia is a great opportunity for her to delve into the motivation of these characters and why they’re against Aslan. Oftentimes, the best part of any fantasy series is the villains, as their moral justifications for their actions push the heroes to reflect on their values.
Gerwig is set to direct the first two movies in the upcomingNarniaseries.
The Chronicles of Narnia
The Chronicles of Narniais a fantasy franchise based on the seven-book series written by C.S. Lewis between 1950 and 1956. The series is set in the magical world of Narnia, where children from our world are transported to fulfill prophecies, battle evil forces, and restore peace under the guidance of Aslan, a mystical lion. The franchise has seen multiple adaptations, including a BBC television series in the late 1980s, three major Hollywood films between 2005 and 2010, and an upcoming reboot by Netflix, which has generated significant anticipation. The franchise is beloved for its rich allegorical storytelling, blending Christian themes with epic fantasy elements.
