It will be Aslan the lion who turns out to be the hero who convinces Netflix to soften its position towards the theater and to give away the adaptation of Greta Gerwig by CS Lewis The Chronicles of Narnia the series will be shown in approximately 2,000 cinemas worldwide?
Imax and Netflix are in fact in preliminary negotiations on this matter Narniathe sources say The Hollywood journalist. One plan being discussed is to release the event image during Thanksgiving 2026 before making it available to subscribers during Christmas. Whether this would be a long enough window to satisfy the theater circuits that operate Imax auditoriums is the big question and potential obstacle.
News of Gerwig's campaign has reopened old wounds and sparked angst among both studios and the country's major film circuits.
Studios won't be happy if Imax carves out time during the holiday season for a Netflix movie that doesn't have a traditional window, which has already shrunk dramatically in the post-pandemic era from 30 to 65 days (smaller titles can go to home even before).
The conversations originated after Gerwig, who directed the 2023 hit film Barbiehe approached the Imax. Sources say he eventually spoke directly to Imax CEO Rich Gelfond, whose large-format screens are revered by filmmakers including James Cameron and Christopher Nolan. Oppenheimerwhich Nolan shot largely on Imax-certified cameras, did big business on Imax screens despite being an adult historical drama.
Imax shares jumped Tuesday on news of talks between Imax and Netflix, where co-CEO Ted Sarandos has long been reluctant to stick to a traditional theatrical window, much to the frustration of filmmakers, including Martin Scorsese. Netflix broke its own precedent by distributing Scorsese The Irish an exclusive release, but it wasn't long enough yet (Netflix had started experimenting a year earlier with Rome).
Nor does the streamer report revenue. Instead, it places its awards contenders and high-profile original films in a limited number of theaters willing to show them (it has also purchased or leased two prestigious movie theaters in Los Angeles and New York City, The Egyptian and The Paris).
During an earnings call Wednesday, Gelfond did not comment on the status of conversations with Netflix, but did not deny the reports. “In fact, as you know, filmmakers and studios are all moving towards the Imax experience,” the CEO said. He added, “we are always innovative and looking for new approaches to organizing content.”
It's unclear how far Imax would be willing to go in terms of alienating its exhibition partners if it joined forces with Netflix.
Gerwig's deal to direct Narnia it was announced in early July 2023, weeks early Barbie opened at the box office and turned into a cultural phenomenon, grossing over $1.44 billion. Her power, needless to say, has increased exponentially and she seems eager to use it to push forward Narnia to theatres.
Many across Hollywood are wondering whether Gerwig is reacting to recent events surrounding 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 Wuthering Heights adaptation, notably in part due to his commitment to giving the film a full theatrical release worldwide. Robbie and Jacob Elordi are set to star in the project, which hails from MRC and has attracted intense interest from streamers and studios.
Matt Belloni a Disco first reported the news of talks between Gerwig and Imax.