The wardrobe doors are creaking open again, but this time, they lead into a world where rock and roll energy meets literary fantasy. And Carey Mulligan might be stepping right through into Narnia!
According to Deadline, Mulligan is in negotiations to join Greta Gerwig’s The Chronicles of Narnia reboot for Netflix, with her slated to portray Digory’s ailing mother in an adaptation of The Magician’s Nephew.
With Gerwig’s bold vision and a powerhouse cast shaping up (including Daniel Craig, Meryl Streep, and Emma Mackey), Carey Mulligan’s casting will only bring more prestige to this fantasy reawakening.
Nevertheless, Netflix has remained tight-lipped about the production. But industry insiders are already hinting at a huge production set to begin later this year, ahead of an exclusive IMAX run on November 26, 2026, and a Christmas Day Netflix debut.
If confirmed, Carey Mulligan would play a crucial emotional anchor in a story that explores the origin of Narnia, Aslan, and the infamous White Witch, long before Lucy ever finds that wardrobe. Known for Maestro, Saltburn, and most recently The Ballad of Wallis Island, Mulligan feels tailor-made for the Gerwig touch of emotion and magic.
Greta Gerwig’s “Rock and Roll” Narnia
Gerwig isn’t content to simply retell C.S. Lewis’s classic tales. She’s reshaping them. As reported by Vogue, producer Amy Pascal teased that Gerwig’s take will be “all about rock and roll.”
The above descriptor that might sound outrageous for a 20th-century children’s fantasy, but feels apt given the director’s track record. From Little Women’s nonlinear rhythms to Barbie’s pink subversions, Gerwig clearly thrives in the field between respect and rebellion.
Carey Mulligan’s potential casting as Digory’s mother situates her within a highly emotional subplot. In The Magician’s Nephew, Digory’s longing to save his terminally ill mother motivates much of his journey. This grief-laden thread grounds the fantastical elements with stakes that are tender and devastating, precisely the kind of emotional arc Mulligan excels in.
Then there’s the rest of the cast.
Daniel Craig is reportedly set to play Uncle Andrew, the morally dubious magician who triggers the multidimensional adventure. Meryl Streep is in discussions about gender-flipping Aslan, a controversial yet fascinating choice that aligns with Gerwig’s rule-breaking spirit.
And Emma Mackey, fresh off Barbie, has been confirmed to play the White Witch, a role she bagged after competition from Charli XCX and Margaret Qualley.
Netflix Bets Big with $200M Blank Check
With The Magician’s Nephew pegged as the first of two back-to-back Narnia films, Bloomberg estimates the budget could surpass $200 million. This places Gerwig’s Narnia in “blank check” territory. It’s a rare instance where a director is trusted to push the boundaries of adaptation without any compromise.
Per GQ, Gerwig’s scope spans multiple dimensions, elaborate character arcs, and visual storytelling that’s expected to rival, if not beat, Barbie’s impact.
While fans wait for confirmation of Mulligan’s casting, her likely role echoes Gerwig’s intent: to tell an emotional story wrapped in magic, mythology, and reinvention. And if Carey Mulligan does join the cast, we can expect the motherly heart of Narnia to beat more powerfully than ever.
