Chronicles of Narnia 4: Why The Silver Chair Movie Adaptation Didn't Happen

Jimmy Henton
Dec 25, 2023
Dec 26, 2023

The Chronicles of Narnia, a beloved fantasy series by C.S. Lewis, has captivated readers for decades with its rich mythology and enchanting world. The series follows the adventures of the Pevensie children as they explore the magical land of Narnia, encountering fantastical creatures and engaging in epic battles.

Despite its popularity, the film adaptations of the Narnia books have had a checkered history. While the first two films, The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe and Prince Caspian, were met with commercial success, the third film, The Voyage of the Dawn Treader, underperformed at the box office. As a result, the planned fourth film, The Silver Chair, was canceled.

In 2018, Netflix announced that it would be rebooting the Narnia series for its streaming service. However, there has been little news about the project since then. Recent reports suggest that production is set to begin in 2024, with Greta Gerwig attached as director.

Fans of the Narnia books will undoubtedly be eager to see how Netflix's adaptation will bring the beloved series to life. With Gerwig's involvement, the reboot has the potential to be a faithful and visually stunning reimagining of C.S. Lewis's classic tales.

#1. What Happens in The Chronicles of Narnia: The Silver Chair?

Source: Disney

The Silver Chair is the fourth novel in the Chronicles of Narnia series, following the journey of Eustace Scrubb and Jill Pole as they embark on a quest to rescue Prince Rilian, son of King Caspian. The story unfolds as they encounter the Lady of the Green Kirtle, who turns out to be Rilian's captor.

After a series of events, Rilian is freed, and the group witnesses the reunion of father and son before Caspian's passing. Rilian is then crowned the new King of Narnia, and the novel ends with Scrubb and Pole returning to England after their adventures in Aslan's Country.

#2. Why Didn't The Silver Chair Happen?

Source: Disney

Declining box office returns prompted Walden Media, the studio behind the Chronicles of Narnia series, to change its plans. Initially considering The Silver Chair, the next book in the series, a shift towards a prequel, The Magician's Nephew, occurred. However, this idea was abandoned when Walden Media lost the rights to The Chronicles of Narnia in 2011.

In 2013, The Mark Gordon Company announced a new adaptation of The Silver Chair. Despite early promise with director Joe Johnston on board in 2017, development faced challenges. The original cast had aged beyond their characters' age ranges, necessitating a reboot of the franchise. This shift meant a new cast would be introduced, excluding even Liam Neeson, who portrayed Aslan in the original film series.

#3. Why Did the Narnia Movies Fail?

Source: 20th Century Studios UK / Youtube

Despite the initial success of "The Lion, The Witch, and the Wardrobe" in 2005, the Chronicles of Narnia film series faced challenges. Inconsistency arose as the series shifted studios, starting with Disney and later moving to 20th Century Fox after Disney's withdrawal. Following Disney's acquisition of 20th Century Fox in 2019, all three films now belong to a single entity.

While the first film thrived at the box office, delays and a change in release strategy impacted the sequels. The three-year gap between the first film and "Prince Caspian," along with a move from a holiday to a summer release, contributed to the declining audience interest. Fierce competition from other blockbuster films further hindered the series.

Source: Disney

Unlike well-established franchises like Harry Potter and Lord of the Rings, the Chronicles of Narnia struggled to build a dedicated fanbase. The interconnected nature of the novels wasn't widely known, and poor marketing for the sequels led to diminishing interest. Ultimately, the series failed to capture the enthusiasm of audiences, leading to its gradual decline.

#4. Greta Gerwig Takes On Narnia

Source: Disney

While Netflix has held the rights to the Narnia franchise for some time, fans can now anticipate the next chapter with excitement. Greta Gerwig, fresh off the success of her 2023 film "Barbie," is set to bring C.S. Lewis' classic stories to the big screen. However, her plans were temporarily halted due to the SAG-AFTRA and WGA strikes.

With the resolution of the strikes, production on Gerwig's Narnia film is expected to kick off as early as 2024. While a specific release date remains uncertain in these early stages, given Gerwig's track record in adapting established properties, as seen with the success of "Barbie," the project holds promise. The anticipation surrounding Gerwig's take on Narnia will undoubtedly fuel speculation and theories until its eventual release.