Why Greta Gerwig Is the Perfect Choice to Revive the 'Narnia' Franchise

C.S. Lewis's The Chronicles of Narnia series is one of the most beloved pieces of children's literature of all time. The books have been in continuous publication since 1956 and have sold over 100 million copies in 47 different languages, spawning adaptations ranging from feature films and radio dramatizations to full-on stage musicals. The only surprise about the news that Netflix is working on a new adaptation of this classic fantasy saga is that we haven't had more of them in recent years.

Most of you are probably familiar with the short-lived Disney attempt to adapt all seven books as feature films in response to the popularity of the Harry Potter films in the early aughts. It began in 2005 with The Lion, the Witch & the Wardrobe and made it through the second and third books, Prince Caspian and The Voyage of the Dawn Treader, before studio money and theatrical interest ran out. Despite having obtained the rights to all the Narnia books, Netflix has thus far only committed to making "at least two" films, tapping director Greta Gerwig to helm the project and adapt the script.

While Barbie's existence (and boffo box office) proves that Gerwig can do anything, let's not forget that she's already successfully adapted a beloved children's classic to great critical and public acclaim. Her 2019 Little Women was widely praised for its sensitive retelling of Louisa May Alcott's original story and was nominated for six Academy Awards, including Best Picture. If there's any creative working today who is quite so uniquely positioned to attempt a new take on Narnia, it's Gerwig.