Tag: Greta Gerwig

Greta Gerwig Opens the Door to a New World in the First Trailer for “Narnia: The Magician’s Nephew”

Before there was a wardrobe, there was a world waiting to be born.

Greta Gerwig takes audiences back to the very beginning of C. S. Lewis’ beloved fantasy universe in “Narnia: The Magician’s Nephew,” a sweeping new adventure that reveals how the magical land of Narnia first came to life.

The first trailer offers an enchanting glimpse into a story filled with wonder, mystery, music, and extraordinary new worlds, setting the stage for what could be one of 2027’s most anticipated fantasy films.

Watch the trailer:

The Beginning of Narnia Comes to the Big Screen

Based on C. S. Lewis’ timeless novel, “The Magician’s Nephew” takes viewers to a point long before the events most audiences associate with Narnia.

This is the story of its creation.

At the center of that beginning is one of Lewis’ most unforgettable images: a cosmic lion singing a world into existence. It is a moment that left a lasting impression on Gerwig, who has loved the story since childhood.

I was a child when I first read The Magician’s Nephew, and I fell in love with the gorgeously improbable but completely brilliant concept of a cosmic lion singing the world of Narnia to life, Gerwig says.

I didn’t know that I would grow up to make films, but a universe built out of music is an idea that has always lived in my heart. It is the honor of a lifetime to be asked to imagine it into being.

For Gerwig, the appeal of Narnia goes beyond fantasy. The books shaped the way she saw imagination, adventure, and the possibility of discovering something extraordinary in the ordinary.

Because of C. S. Lewis’s The Chronicles of Narnia, I believed in magic and hidden worlds and adventure. I believed that anywhere could be enchanted, and that anyone could be swept up into an epic. That wonder and awe was available to everyone, even ordinary people like me…It transformed me, she says.

Greta Gerwig Brings Her Own Sense of Wonder to Narnia

Gerwig has built a reputation for films that balance emotion, wit, character, and visual storytelling.

From Lady Bird to Little Women and the global phenomenon Barbie, the filmmaker has repeatedly brought familiar ideas into fresh, distinctive worlds. With “Narnia: The Magician’s Nephew,” she now turns to one of fantasy literature’s most enduring universes.

The project also marks the first time The Magician’s Nephew has been adapted for the screen, giving audiences the chance to experience a chapter of Narnia that has never before received a major cinematic treatment.

For longtime readers, that alone makes the film especially exciting.

For newcomers, it offers a natural place to begin.

A Story of Magic, Hidden Worlds, and New Beginnings

“The Magician’s Nephew” is often regarded as the origin story of Narnia, revealing how the world was created and laying the foundation for the adventures that follow.

That sense of discovery is at the heart of the new film.

Rather than returning audiences to a world they already know, Gerwig is inviting them to witness Narnia at its most mysterious and unfamiliar. It is a place not yet shaped by legend, where every forest, creature, sound, and spell feels new.

And for a story built around creation itself, that sense of possibility could be its greatest strength.

An All-Star Cast Enters the World of Narnia

The film features an ensemble cast that includes David McKenna, Beatrice Campbell, Emma Mackey, Carey Mulligan, Ciarán Hinds, Daniel Craig, Meryl Streep, Kobna Holdbrook-Smith, Denise Gough, and Susan Wokoma.

Gerwig writes and directs the film, with Mark Gordon, Amy Pascal, Vincent Sieber-Smith, and Gerwig serving as producers.

Patricia Whitcher, Racheline Benveniste, Christine Crais, Douglas Gresham, and Melvin Adams for the C. S. Lewis Estate serve as executive producers.

A New Narnia Adventure Arrives in 2027

With its rich mythology, beloved source material, and Gerwig’s distinctive creative vision, “Narnia: The Magician’s Nephew” is shaping up to be a major new chapter for the franchise.

More importantly, it is a return to the feeling that made Narnia special in the first place: the idea that another world might be closer than we think.

A universe awakens when “Narnia: The Magician’s Nephew” opens in Philippine cinemas on February 10, 2027. Distributed locally by Columbia Pictures PH.

About “Narnia: The Magician’s Nephew”

Academy Award-nominated filmmaker Greta Gerwig brings C. S. Lewis’ beloved story The Magician’s Nephew to the screen for the first time in a sweeping adventure that invites dreamers of all ages to experience the creation of Narnia.

Written for the screen and directed by: Greta Gerwig

Based on the novel by: C. S. Lewis

Cast: David McKenna, Beatrice Campbell, Emma Mackey, Carey Mulligan, Ciarán Hinds, Daniel Craig, Meryl Streep, Kobna Holdbrook-Smith, Denise Gough, and Susan Wokoma

Produced by: Mark Gordon, Amy Pascal, Vincent Sieber-Smith, and Greta Gerwig

Executive producers: Patricia Whitcher, Racheline Benveniste, Christine Crais, Douglas Gresham, and Melvin Adams for the C. S. Lewis Estate

October 14, 2026
Greta Gerwig’s ‘Barbie’ Triumph: First Female-Directed Billion-Dollar Global Box Office Success

The world of cinema has been painted pink as Warner Bros. Pictures’ “Barbie” speeds past the billion-dollar box office threshold. Just 17 days after release in North America and most international markets, this pop culture phenomenon has amassed a staggering $1.0315 billion worldwide. Of this, $459.4 million came from domestic theaters, with $572.1 million garnered overseas.

Greta Gerwig: A Pioneer in Cinema

‘Barbie’ also solidifies Greta Gerwig’s place in the annals of film history. With this monumental success, she becomes the first woman to cross the billion-dollar benchmark as a solo director. This milestone announcement was shared by Jeff Goldstein, President of Domestic Distribution, and Andrew Cripps, President of International Distribution, for Warner Bros. Pictures.

The public can glimpse the magic behind the scenes in a featurette titled, “Greta’s Vision” for “Barbie”. Watch the “Greta’s Vision” for Barbie in this featurette:

‘Barbie’ Shattering Expectations

In their statement, Goldstein and Cripps confessed that ‘Barbie’s’ unprecedented performance left them at a loss for words. In their words, the movie has blown “as distribution chiefs, we’re not often rendered speechless by a film’s performance, but Barbillion has blown even our most optimistic predictions out of the water. This is a watershed moment for ‘Barbie,’ and no one but Greta Gerwig could have brought this cross-generational icon and her world to life in such a funny, emotional and entertaining story, one that is resonating with all four quadrants of moviegoers and literally turning the entire world pink. Long lines and repeat viewings prove that movies are back in a big, big way, and we look forward to seeing just how far ‘Barbie’ can go in the real world.”

They hailed the success as a “watershed moment” for ‘Barbie,’ attributing its global resonance to Gerwig’s unique storytelling ability.

A Billion-Dollar Vision

Echoing this sentiment, Michael De Luca and Pam Abdy, Co-Chairs & CEOs of Warner Bros. Motion Picture Group, cited the exceptional teamwork that led to the movie’s overwhelming success. They highlighted Gerwig’s exceptional contribution, stating “A massive achievement like this is possible when you have an incredible filmmaking team, with cast and crew coming together to create a truly special moviegoing experience. Along with our partners at Mattel, and with the support of the entire Warner Bros. Discovery family, we are thrilled that audiences the world over are embracing the ‘Barbie’ movie in such a profound way. With ‘Barbie’ becoming the biggest film at the summer box office, Greta now joins an elite group of writer/directors whose singular vision has generated $1 billion at the global box office, a milestone that is testament to her brilliance and to her commitment to deliver a movie that Barbie fans of every age want to see on the big screen.”

‘Barbie’: A Record-Breaking Phenomenon

Since its highly-anticipated debut, ‘Barbie’ has not only met but surpassed every studio benchmark, setting all-time daily, weekly, and weekend records. It holds the distinction of being the fastest film to reach $400 million domestically and $500 million internationally.

‘Barbie’ continues to bring joy to audiences, showing exclusively in cinemas worldwide. In the Philippines, ‘Barbie’ is distributed by Warner Bros. Pictures, a Warner Bros. Discovery company.

Now showing in Philippine cinemas, “Barbie” is distributed by Warner Bros. Pictures, a Warner Bros. Discovery company.

Join the global conversation about ‘Barbie’s’ historic success using the hashtags #Barbie #BarbieTheMovie

Photo & Video Credit: Warner Bros. Pictures

August 7, 2023
Greta Gerwig’s “Barbie” Opens in Ph July 19, Granted Permit in Other Asian Countries

Greta Gerwig, who directed the highly anticipated “Barbie” movie. The best way to achieve this? Pink, and lots of it! “One of the first days I met with [production designer] Sarah Greenwood and the art team, we looked at all the different shades of pink to determine how they would interact,” adds Gerwig. “As a little girl, I liked the brightest pinks, but Barbie Land would incorporate the full spectrum of the color, so it was important to figure out where those bright pinks would live alongside our palest, pastel pink, and of course every tone of pink in between.”

Another unique thing about Barbie Land: “There’s no place for Newton’s laws in Barbie Land,” says Gerwig. “There is no wind, there is no sun, no gravity and no water, but as filmmakers we do live in a world of physics, so when dealing with the reality of Barbie Land, there were the rules of Barbie Land and then there were the rules we’ve set up for the filmmaking, and then how those two things interacted. I’m in love with 1950s soundstage musicals, those wonderfully artificial spaces, and because Barbie was invented in 1959, it felt like we could ground everything in that look and not be so beholden to it. I want everyone to feel like they can reach up to the screen and touch everything, because that’s the great thing about dolls and toys.”

Gerwig grew up with Barbie. She shares that when she was little, “I was always waiting for our neighbors’ children to grow tired of theirs so they would give me the hand-me-down Barbies. That was the big thing I was always looking forward to. I have a very vivid, visceral memory of Barbie and what it meant.”

Her own love for Barbie when she was a kid helped Gerwig understand Barbie the way she’s meant to be understood. “The idea of the multiplicity of the Barbies and then the Kens really did come out of my first meeting with Mattel, when I started talking about different characters and they said, ‘No, we don’t have different characters. All of these women are Barbie,’” shares Gerwig. “And I replied that if all of these women are Barbie then Barbie is all of these women, and they said, ‘Yes.’”

Greta Gerwig

Robbie Brenner, who runs the movie division of Mattel, and is one of the producers of “Barbie,” lauds Gerwig’s vision for the film. “It’s amazing how Barbie has evolved as something really wonderful to play with and also to dream with,” she says. “That said, there are people who aren’t fans of Barbie, and Greta and Noah [Baumbach] did what they do so brilliantly, which is to explore all sides of Barbie and of the conversation around Barbie. By laughing with and embracing all things about Barbie at the same time makes the movie complex, interesting and simply brilliant.”

Margot Robbie, who plays the titular doll in the film, gives high praise to Gerwig too: “Greta has this superpower in the vibe she creates on set, which is so in line with what we wanted Barbie Land to be: bright, happy and supportive. Greta is the happiest, loveliest, most supportive director and she’s also insanely talented. She’s literally got Barbie energy.”

The highly anticipated movie about the iconic doll has been rated PG without cuts by the Movie & Television Review and Classification Board (MTRCB), which means children below 13 years old and below will be allowed admission if they are accompanied by an adult.

“Barbie” has also been granted permits for exhibition without cuts in other Asian countries such as Taiwan, Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore and South Korea.

Michael Cera, America Ferrera, Greta Gerwig, Ryan Gosling, Margot Robbie, Issa Rae, and Kate McKinnon

“Barbie,” directed by Gerwig and starring Robbie as Barbie and Ryan Gosling as Ken, opens in Philippine cinemas July 19. Reserve your tickets now at https://www.barbiemovie.com.ph/

About “BARBIE”

To live in Barbie Land is to be a perfect being in a perfect place. Unless you have a full-on existential crisis. Or you’re a Ken.

From Oscar-nominated writer/director Greta Gerwig comes “Barbie,” starring Oscar-nominees Margot Robbie and Ryan Gosling as Barbie and Ken, alongside America Ferrera, Kate McKinnon, Michael Cera, Ariana Greenblatt, Issa Rae, Rhea Perlman and Will Ferrell. The film also stars Ana Cruz Kayne, Emma Mackey, Hari Nef, Alexandra Shipp, Kingsley Ben-Adir, Simu Liu, Ncuti Gatwa, Scott Evans, Jamie Demetriou, Connor Swindells, Sharon Rooney, Nicola Coughlin and Oscar-winner Helen Mirren.

Gerwig directed “Barbie” from a screenplay by Gerwig & Oscar nominee Noah Baumbach, based on Barbie by Mattel. The film’s producers are Oscar nominee David Heyman, Robbie, Tom Ackerley and Robbie Brenner, with Michael Sharp, Josey McNamara, Ynon Kreiz, Courtenay Valenti, Toby Emmerich and Cate Adams serving as executive producers.

In Philippine cinemas starting July 19, “Barbie” is distributed by Warner Bros. Pictures, a Warner Bros. Discovery company.

Join the conversation online and use the hashtag #Barbie #BarbieTheMovie

_{Photo & Video Credit: “Warner Bros. Pictures”}

July 17, 2023