Greta Gerwig’s Narnia: The Magician’s Nephew trailer has finally arrived, but the adaptation has faced intense anticipation and criticism long before audiences got their first proper look at it. Bringing C. S. Lewis’s beloved fantasy world to the screen comes with the weight of generations of readers and memories of earlier adaptations. Now that the first footage is out, Gerwig is offering something more personal than a glimpse at the spectacle. 

At a recent Netflix event, the filmmaker shared a wholesome behind-the-scenes story about Daniel Craig and explained why the experience of bringing her young cast together meant so much to her.

Big names joining a fantasy franchise are hardly unusual, but the best ensemble stories often happen between takes, away from the grand entrances and carefully staged magic. For Greta Gerwig, one of the most memorable moments in Narnia: The Magician’s Nephew involved Craig, who plays Uncle Andrew, and the children at the heart of the film.

Speaking at an exclusive Netflix IMAX sneak-peek event at AMC Lincoln Square in New York City on October 13, 2026, Gerwig recalled how the adult cast, including Craig, came aboard out of love for the books and a desire to support the young performers. Her favorite moment came while the cast waited in a hallway before rehearsal. 

Craig turned to the children and admitted, “I’m a bit nervous for rehearsal.” Their response was immediate and wonderfully reassuring.

“Don’t worry. Greta’s really nice. You’ll be fine.”

She also spoke about wanting to continue the tradition of established actors taking supporting roles in British children’s films. Gerwig was struck by the way the adults approached their younger co-stars. 

“When adults play with children and you get right down on their level, they did that. All the adult actors did that, both literally and metaphorically. They got right down on their level because they were there for them,” she explained during the Q&A hosted by Stephen Colbert for LRM Online. 

"An Insult to Both Lewis and Zeppelin"- Greta Gerwig's ‘Narnia’ Remake Fails to Impress Viewers With First Look

It is a charming reversal of the usual Hollywood hierarchy. Here was James Bond himself looking for reassurance from children, who had apparently already decided that their director was nothing to worry about.

That spirit of connection also shaped the search for the two young actors tasked with carrying the story. David McKenna plays Digory, while Beatrice Campbell takes on Polly, whose friendship forms a crucial part of the film’s emotional foundation. Greta Gerwig and casting director Nina Gold considered thousands of children before settling on the pair.

Their audition tapes, which featured them reading alongside their parents, first caught the filmmakers’ attention. During subsequent group screen tests, McKenna and Campbell repeatedly found each other in the room, and Gerwig watched their friendship develop naturally.

One small gesture made a particularly strong impression: when Campbell began sniffing during a screen test, McKenna gestured for someone to give her a tissue. That instinctive act of kindness suggested a connection beyond simply performing well together. Gerwig also described learning that McKenna was from Belfast, the same city as Lewis, as “a sign,” although she had not specifically sought a Belfast-born actor for the role.

With the trailer now inviting audiences into this new version of Narnia, Gerwig’s stories offer a glimpse of the care behind the camera. 

Meryl Streep Is Officially the Voice of Aslan in Greta Gerwig’s ‘Narnia’ as First Looks Are Revealed

Share your thoughts on the trailer and the cast’s heartwarming stories in the comments.