The Chronicles of Narnia’s upcoming reboot at Netflix has the opportunity to shed light on many longstanding Narnia mysteries, including one pertaining to some of the books' strongest characters. Little is known about the highly anticipatedGreta Gerwig-directedNarniamovies, other than the project promising to be a unique take on the story following the director’s massive success with the bizarre fantasy ofBarbie. Given the recurring motifs and themes of Gerwig’s career, the possibilities of what she will do with the heroines and villainesses of Narnia are monumental.
Casting the White Witch for Gerwig’sNarniamoviesis going to be a near-impossible challenge, when Tilda Swinton’s portrayal in 2005’sThe Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe, is already aperfect fantasy movie villain performance. However,Gerwig can make her iteration of the White Witch, whose name is Jadis, powerful and unique by expanding upon her backstoryand delving into some of the overlooked corners of the Narnia world. One storyline in particular holds the potential to transform the White Witch — and another key Narnia witch — yet again in these new movies.
The Chronicles Of Narnia Books Don’t Explain The Northern Witches Well Enough
The Northern Witches Are Only Briefly Mentioned In The Silver Chair
InThe Silver Chair, it is mentioned that a community of witches at some point in Narnia’s history lived in the Wild Lands of the North, sometimes attacking Narnia from the kingdom’s northern border. These desolate lands are generally characterized as dangerous in theNarniabooks, a place where dark magic flourishes. The giants also inhabited the territory north of Narnia, and are some of the Narnians' longest-standing enemies. Both Jadis and the Lady of the Green Kirtle, the latter the main antagonist ofThe Silver Chair, are said to have been among the Northern Witches.
Their shared connection to the Northern Witches possibly ties into the popular Narnia theory that the Green Lady is a resurrected Jadis.
Their shared connection to the Northern Witches possibly ties into the popular Narnia theory that the Green Lady is a resurrected Jadis. However,the very concept of the Northern Witches is confusing; Jadis came to Narnia from another world, but because the other witches are given no history,readers have no idea how they got there. One of theharsh realities of theNarniabooksis that their world-building is limited, with C. S. Lewis neglecting to provide context here, keeping the focus on the children visiting Narnia. Yet Gerwig has the potential to change that with the most captivatingNarniaadaptation yet.
Greta Gerwig’s Narnia Reboot Must Finally Give The Northern Witches A Proper Backstory
Gerwig’s Narnia Movies Can Elaborate Upon The Overlooked Northern Witches Plot
There are many storylines the newNarniamovies should expand upon, but the Northern Witches are especially intriguing. One of the most noteworthy elements of the reference to them is the implication that there have been other witches in Narnia. The White Witch’s origins are not in Narnia, and after her defeat, witches disappear from theNarniaplot for some time. It is natural to draw connections between Jadis and the Lady of the Green Kirtle when the latter’s unexplained appearance inThe Silver Chairis a return toNarnia’s original plot structure.
Greta Gerwig’s Narnia Reboot Will Struggle To Fix 1 Problem From The Books
There are plenty of ways that the upcoming Narnia movies will expand upon the original world, but some problems will be difficult to resolve.
Jadis is also the only one of the two of them who has a backstory. However, Gerwig has the opportunity to create new characters, whose experiences with magical power constitute weighty thematic material.How the witches are depicted in theNarniareboot should be as important to Lucy and Susan’s character development as it is for Edmund and Peterin the previous movies. Additionally, Lewis notably drew upon various medieval texts and mythological sources while writingNarnia, and Gerwig could turn to such source material for inspiration for her Northern Witches storyline, especially after the spectacular medieval adaptation ofThe Green Knight.
Exploring This Group Will Make Two Narnia Villains Much Better Characters
The White Witch & The Lady Of The Green Kirtle Are Standout Narnia Characters Who Deserve Better
Even with the origin story she is given, Jadis' characterization inNarniais one-dimensional, while the Green Lady has no personal arc besides taking over the underworld and kidnapping the prince. This is exemplary of the story and themes Lewis wanted to highlight, mostly about the heroism and innocence of the children called upon in Narnia’s darkest hour. Yetby modern standards, the White Witch and the Lady of the Green Kirtle are the most interesting characters inNarnia,while theLion, the Witch and the Wardrobemovie proves their potential to be elevated by an A-list actor.
Delving into the story of the Northern Witches would help make these two iconic villains the complex characters expected today.
Delving into the story of the Northern Witches would help make these two iconic villains the complex characters expected today. They do not have to be sympathetic, but they are potentially much deeper when they have lived with other witches, who all have their own ideas about power in this setting. Lewis wantedThe Chronicles of Narniato have two straightforward witch villains reminiscent of the fairy tales that inspired the series. However, the popularity of witches in pop culture that has arisen since the books were published demands more for the White Witch, the Lady of the Green Kirtle, and their fellow Narnia witches.
The Chronicles of Narnia
The Chronicles of Narniais a fantasy franchise based on the seven-book series written by C.S. Lewis between 1950 and 1956. The series is set in the magical world of Narnia, where children from our world are transported to fulfill prophecies, battle evil forces, and restore peace under the guidance of Aslan, a mystical lion. The franchise has seen multiple adaptations, including a BBC television series in the late 1980s, three major Hollywood films between 2005 and 2010, and an upcoming reboot by Netflix, which has generated significant anticipation. The franchise is beloved for its rich allegorical storytelling, blending Christian themes with epic fantasy elements.
