Netflix’sThe Chronicles of Narniareboot should explore one of the most compelling details fromThe Magician’s Nephew. The streamer previously acquired the rights to C.S. Lewis' belovedChronicles of Narniabooksand will adapt them as a series of films. From 2005-2010, Disney adaptedThe Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe,Prince Caspian, andThe Voyage of the Dawn Treader,but did not touchThe Magician’s Nephewor the other installments in Lewis' series.
That is likely to change withGreta Gerwig’s version of Narnia. Gerwig is attached to direct and write at least the first two of Netflix’s Narnia films and has shared that she is a lifelong fan of the source material. Sincethe series chronologically begins withThe Magician’s Nephew, which features the creation of Narnia itself, the upcoming reboot is likely to feature this story, with the adaptation hopefully expanding on one of the book’s most intriguing elements.
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I Hope Netflix’s Narnia Reboot Digs Deeper Into The Wood Between Worlds
It Binds The Series' Multiple Worlds Together
While much ofThe Magician’s Nephewstorywill obviously be spent in Narnia, I would like to see Netflix’s adaptation further explore the Wood Between the Worlds. This location is a forest featuring many pools, each of which is a portal to a different universe. Digory Kirke and Polly Plummer first travel to theWood Between the Worlds using the green rings created by Digory’s uncle, Andrew Ketterly, with the rings and the pools allowing them to visit worlds beyond their own.
Digory Kirke is a child inThe Magician’s Nephewand grows up to be the adult Professor inThe Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe.
It is through these pools that they travel to Charn, Narnia, and back to Earth.The Wood Between the Worlds is essentially Narnia’s version of the multiversethat was created long before the multiverse became a popular and well-known concept in popular culture stories. The characters do not spend much time there as the focus of the story is naturally more so on Narnia, but I would love to see Netflix’s reboot spend more time in Lewis' equivalent of the multiverse.
The Magician’s Nephew Doesn’t Spend Enough Time On The Lore Behind This Location
There Is More To Learn About It
As understandable as the story’s focus on Narnia is, the lack of lore behind the Wood Between the Worlds feels like a missed opportunity. This is not only the case inThe Magician’s Nephew, but even more so in the other books where the vital location is never revisited by any of the characters and is only mentioned again inThe Last Battle. The Wood Between the Worlds is a fascinating concept and a reminder thatNarnia, Earth, and Charn are only three out of many worlds that exist in this fictional universe.
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The Magician’s Nephewspends a great deal of time explaining the magic rings that Uncle Andrew created, and, of course, on how Narnia is created. The Wood Between the Worlds deserves more exploration as well, as without it, the rings' power and Narnia itself would not be able to come to fruition. I wantGreta Gerwig’sChronicles of Narniarebootto adapt the fantasy series faithfully, but also enhance certain elements of the story, with more focus on the Woods Between the Worlds being a perfect example of this.
The Wood Between Worlds Has So Much Potential For A Magician’s Nephew Adaptation
Two Characters Are The Key To Revealing More
Queen Jadis, who later becomes the White Witch, and Aslan, are the characters I would like to see provide further insight into the Wood Between the Worlds. When Jadis travels there, she feels weak and ill,a development that is not fully addressed inThe Magician’s Nephew.The Netflix adaptation can have Jadis or other characters figuring out why the Wood Between the Worlds has this effect on her, and how this ties into the lore of the location.
Jadis is originally from the world of Charn.
Aslan is only ever seen in Narnia, but his ancient nature, his wisdom, and what he learned about Digory, Polly, Uncle Andrew, and Jadis traveling through there means he likely knows more about the Woods Between the Worlds. He instructs Digory and Polly to bury the magic rings as he does not want others to find them and abuse their power, butwhat Aslan knows may go beyond wanting to protect Narnia. Aslan and Jadis can be used to reveal new information about the Wood Between the Worlds in Netflix’sThe Chronicles of Narnia.
The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe
Cast
The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe (2005) is a fantasy film directed by Andrew Adamson. It follows the story of four siblings who discover a magical wardrobe that leads to the enchanted land of Narnia. They join forces with Aslan, the majestic lion, to battle against the evil White Witch. The film features Georgie Henley, Skandar Keynes, William Moseley, and Anna Popplewell in the leading roles.
