Greta Gerwig’s bold Narnia trailer divides fans.

Psychedelic visuals and Marvel-style flair spark debate over Netflix’s The Magician’s Nephew.

Greta Gerwig has unveiled the first trailer for Netflix’s upcoming fantasy epic Narnia: The Magician’s Nephew, and the response has been anything but unanimous. Set to Led Zeppelin’s Stairway to Heaven, the footage presents a dazzling, psychedelic reimagining of C.S. Lewis’s beloved world. With glam-rock aesthetics, surreal landscapes, and mythic creatures, the trailer has already sparked comparisons to Marvel blockbusters, leaving audiences split between excitement and scepticism.

The preview introduces a star-studded cast. Meryl Streep voices Aslan, the great lion who sings Narnia into existence, while Emma Mackey portrays Jadis, the future White Witch. Daniel Craig appears as Andrew Ketterley, the magician whose rings transport children Digory (David McKenna) and Polly (Beatrice Campbell) into the mysterious “Wood between the Worlds.” Their journey unfolds across strange realms, culminating in Narnia’s birth.

Fans on social media quickly drew parallels to superhero sagas, jokingly dubbing the film Narnia: Ragnarok and Guardians of Narnia’s Galaxy. Some praised Gerwig’s bold departure from traditional fantasy, while others criticized the Marvel-like spectacle as a mismatch for Lewis’s allegorical storytelling. Streep’s casting as Aslan has also stirred debate, given the lion’s symbolic connection to Christ in the original novels.

Beyond the memes and controversy, Gerwig emphasized her personal bond with the source material. Speaking at a press preview in New York alongside Stephen Colbert, she reflected: “I don’t remember a time I didn’t know the books. I wouldn’t be who I am without them.” Her adaptation aims to honour Lewis’s vision while introducing a fresh cinematic language that blends myth with modern spectacle.

The ensemble cast extends beyond its headline names, featuring Carey Mulligan, Ciáran Hinds, Kobna Holdbrook-Smith, Denise Gough, and Susan Wokoma. Together, they bring to life the origin story that precedes The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe, setting the stage for the adventures that follow.

Whether Gerwig’s kaleidoscopic approach will resonate with audiences remains to be seen. For now, the trailer has sparked conversation, positioning The Magician’s Nephew as one of 2027’s most anticipated and debated- fantasy releases.

Narnia: The Magician’s Nephew opens in cinemas and IMAX worldwide on February 12, 2027.