Imax CEO Doesn’t Deny Talks With Netflix to Play Greta Gerwig’s ‘Narnia’ on the Big Screen
Will Aslan the lion prove to be the hero that convinces Netflix to soften its stance regarding theatrical and give Greta Gerwig’s adaptation of C.S. Lewis’ The Chronicles of Narnia series a run in some 2,000 cinemas globally?
Imax and Netflix are indeed in preliminary talks regarding Narnia, sources tell The Hollywood Reporter. One plan being discussed is to release the event pic over Thanksgiving 2026 before making it available to its subscribers over Christmas. Whether that would be a long-enough window to satisfy theater circuits that operate Imax auditoriums is the big question, and the potential stumbling block.
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Word of Gerwig’s campaign has reopened old wounds and sparked angst among both studios and the country’s top movie theater circuits.
Studios won’t be happy if Imax carves out time during the holiday season for a Netflix film that isn’t getting a traditional window, which has already shrunk dramatically in the post-pandemic era to anywhere from 30 to 65 days (smaller titles can go to the home even earlier).
The conversations originated after Gerwig, who directed the blockbuster 2023 movie Barbie, approached Imax. Sources say she ultimately spoke directly with Imax CEO Rich Gelfond, whose large-format screens are revered by filmmakers, including James Cameron and Christopher Nolan. Oppenheimer, which Nolan shot in large part with Imax-certified cameras, did huge business on Imax screens despite being an adult historical drama.
Imax stock saw a bump Tuesday upon news of the talks between Imax and Netflix, where co-CEO Ted Sarandos has long been unwilling to abide by a traditional theatrical window, much to the frustration of filmmakers, including Martin Scorsese. Netflix broke its own precedent when giving Scorsese’s The Irishman an exclusive release, but it still wasn’t long enough (Netflix began experimenting a year earlier with Roma).
Nor does the streamer report grosses. Instead, it puts its awards contenders and high-profile original films in a limited number of cinemas willing to play them (it also bought or leased two prized cinema houses in Los Angeles and New York City, The Egyptian and The Paris).
During an earnings call Wednesday, Gelfond wouldn’t comment on the status of conversations with Netflix, but didn’t refute reports. “In fact, as you know, directors, film studios are all leaning into the Imax experience,” the CEO said. He added, “we are always innovating and looking for new approaches to eventizing content.”
It’s unclear as to how far Imax would be willing to go in terms of alienating its exhibition partners were it to join forces with Netflix.
Gerwig’s deal to direct Narnia was announced in early July 2023, weeks before Barbie opened at the box office and turned into a cultural phenomenon, grossing north of $1.44 billion. Her clout, needless to say, increased exponentially, and she appears eager to use that clout to bring Narnia to theaters.
Many across Hollywood are wondering if Gerwig is reacting to recent events regarding a high-profile project starring her Barbie star-producer, Margot Robbie.
Earlier this month, Warner Bros. Motion Pictures Group beat out Netflix to make Emerald Fennell’s Wuthering Heights adaptation, specifically in part because of its commitment to give the film a full worldwide theatrical release. Robbie and Jacob Elordi are attached to star in the feature project, which hails from MRC and generated intense interest from streamers and studios.
Matt Belloni at Puck first reported the news of the talks between Gerwig and Imax.
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