Trailer reveals magical world and key characters
The debut trailer for Greta Gerwig's Narnia: The Magician's Nephew has arrived, presenting a modernized retelling of C.S. Lewis's first book in The Chronicles of Narnia. The film is set to open in theaters on February 12 and on Netflix on April 2. The clip begins with Beatrice Campbell's Polly Plummer and David McKenna's Digory Kirke questioning whether Uncle Andrew Ketterly has lost his mind after a sheet is pulled back to reveal the famous wooden wardrobe that serves as the gateway to Narnia.[S1]
A voice that sounds like Ciarán Hinds intones that sometimes one story is the beginning of all others as the carved cabinet stands in the Ketterly attic. Digory tells Polly that his mother always calls his uncle a magician, while Daneil Craig's eccentric Uncle Andrew lifts the base of a green glass bottle. Digory is uncertain about believing in magic or being ready to see what lies beyond a different wooden door, which opens into Uncle Andrew's vibrant laboratory. After Polly picks up a golden ring and asks if magic is real, Andrew confirms that he is indeed a magician and invites them to see for themselves as he hands more jewelry to Digory.[S1]
The youngsters venture through endless realms, yet Digory grabs a magical item before Polly can intervene, bringing forth Emma Mackey's Jadis — the White Witch — whose silver, glittering eyeshadow accompanies a whispered invitation to join her power. Clad in a metallic gown, she drops down and raises a silver wand for spellcasting while Led Zeppelin's Stairway to Heaven plays. Carey Mulligan's Mabel Kirke remarks that magic exists all around. A winged horse carries the two children as it leaps from a cliff. Finally, Hinds's voice asks whether they have witnessed a world being born, and Meryl Streep's Aslan, the iconic lion, takes shape from cosmic dust and lets out a roar.[S1]
Cast and production team behind the adaptation
The cast of Narnia: The Magician's Nephew also features Kobna Holdbrook-Smith, Denise Gough, and Susan Wokoma. The film is produced by Mark Gordon, Amy Pascal, Vincent Sieber-Smith, and Greta Gerwig. Executive producers include Patricia Whitcher, Racheline Benveniste, Christine Crais, and Douglas Gresham and Melvin Adams for the C.S. Lewis Estate. Mark Ronson and Andrew Wyatt composed an original score, with George Drakoulias as music supervisor. Seamus McGarvey, ASC, BSC, is the director of photography, James Chinlund is the production designer, and Lee Sandales is the set decorator.[S1]
Costume design comes from Jacqueline Durran, with Ivana Primorac overseeing hair and makeup, Paul Franklin as visual effects supervisor, and Barry St. John as visual effects producer. The editing team comprises Andrew Weisblum, Nick Houy, and Wyatt Smith. Casting was led by Nina Gold. Neal Scanlan holds the role of creature effects creative supervisor, while Michael Eames works as animation supervisor.[S1]
Poster and fan reactions
A new poster for the film teases Aslan's creation of a universe, while the trailer introduces a lion, a witch, and a Greta Gerwig fantasy epic. The first poster has won over skeptical fans, according to early reactions.[S2][S3][S4]
