Empire November 2026

Any new film from Greta Gerwig is something to be celebrated. After all, the master filmmaker has emerged as one of the most unique and passionate voices in 21st century cinema. But her return is even more anticipated in the wake of 2023’s Barbie, a deeply idiosyncratic summer smash comedy that crossed $1.4 billion at the box office. Where do you go after that? You return with something very big, very bold, and very Greta: Narnia is calling.

Next year brings Greta Gerwig’s Narnia: The Magician’s Nephew – adapting C.S. Lewis’ sprawling fantasy saga to the screen with a tale that’s never hit cinema screens before, and a very specific vision. Empire went on set with Gerwig and her cast – including Daniel Craig, Emma Mackey, and incoming youngsters David McKenna and Beatrice Campbell – witnessing first-hand the unexpected reference points, cultural resonances, and expansive world-building she’s incorporating into her most ambitious film yet.

Inside our world-exclusive Narnia issue – packed with the first images anywhere from the film – we speak to the director and the cast about creating this brave new world, illuminating the philosophies of Lewis’ creation, and exploring the ramifications of moving the Narnia stories into the 1950s. Your journey into Narnia starts right here.