'Narnia: The Magician's Nephew' trailer: Greta Gerwig's fantasy saga unveils Aslan, the White Witch and more in stunning film.

Greta Gerwig invites the audience to enter the epic world of Narnia with the film "Brother Magic", the first trailer of which was unveiled on Tuesday. Based on CS Lewis' classic The Chronicles of Narnia, the story follows two children, Diggory and Polly, who are the first to discover the Wood Between Worlds, otherwise […]

Greta Gerwig invites the audience to enter the epic world of Narnia with the film "Brother Magic", the first trailer of which was unveiled on Tuesday.

Based on CS Lewis' classic The Chronicles of Narnia, the story follows two children, Diggory and Polly, who are the first to discover the "wood between worlds" known as Narnia. Played on Led Zeppelin's 'Stairway to Heaven', the trailer opens with Daniel Craig's Andrew Catterley (the titular wizard) saying "sometimes a story is the beginning of another story" before handing the youngsters a magic ring that takes them to various fantastical lands. Children will be enchanted as they encounter mythical creatures, creatures and beasts including Emma Mackey's Jadis, the future White Witch and last Charn Queen, and Fledge, a talking horse with the ability to fly. RELATED STORIES Madonna Opens MTV Video Music Awards With Sabrina Carpenter & Charli xcx, Plus Sombre, Debbie Mazar & More Margaret Qualley & Sabrina Carpenter

"Have you ever seen the world born?" Catherly asks before catching a glimpse of Aslan, the legendary lion with the one and only voice of Meryl Streep singing Narnia to life. Popular in Variety

Ahead of the trailer's release, Netflix held a preview event for press and social media influencers at New York's AMC Lincoln Square. Attendees were treated to colorful cocktails at 9:00 a.m. Popcorn, boxed candy, and ready-made food on a tray. Gerwig interviewed Stephen Colbert, who asked the Oscar-nominated director about adapting Lewis's beloved novel, finding young actors David McKenna and Beatrice Campbell to voice the film, and filling the world with seasoned actors like Streep, Craig, Carey Mulligan, and Ciaran Hinds.

"I don't remember a time when I didn't know the books," Gerwig said. "I wouldn't be who I am without these books."

Gerwig found herself on the Netflix circuit around the time the broadcaster was releasing her husband Noah Baumbach's 2019 film Marriage Story. A year earlier, Netflix had acquired the rights to The Chronicles of Narnia.

At a cocktail party, I set up a hotline for Ted Sarandos and said, ``I really think you should start with The Wizard's Nephew,'' Gerwig joked. About 20 minutes later, he said, "Do you want to write it?" At that time I had only made Lady Bird and Little Women. I had not played "Barbie" yet.

"Brother Magician" is Gerwig's first film since the critically acclaimed "Barbie" in 2023, and the adaptation is notable as the first Netflix film to receive a worldwide release. The film will be released in theaters on February 12, 2027, and on Netflix on April 2.

"I told Ted that I only know how to make movies for the big screen," Gerwig said. "Make the film for the biggest screen and trust the process," he said.

Gerwig talked about casting McKenna and Campbell, reviewing thousands of audition tapes over several months, and recalled the moment she knew she had found her lead roles.

We were doing a screen test, which is scary for any actor, and there was a moment when he passed out and David motioned to the camera to get him a Kleenex. I thought, "Oh, these guys already take care of each other."

If McKenna and Campbell dread working with stars like Craig and Mulligan, they don't show it. Gerwig shared some funny moments from the set before the cameras started rolling. "We were practicing and Daniel Craig said to the guys, 'I'm a little nervous,' just to be good," Gerwig said. And they said, don't worry, Greta is really good. You'll be fine!"

Gerwig has described Narnia as a "world made of music" and shared that he wanted the film to feel like a "rock opera." So finding the right songs — including "Stairway to Heaven" — was critical to bringing the story to life. Gerwig wrote to Led Zeppelin singer Robert Plant and guitarist Jimmy Page and let them watch an early version to convince them to let him use their rock anthem in the film.

“It's an epic song, and narratively, it's about a spiritual journey, a path of false idols and wrong roads you can go down. "They saw the heart and the story of the film," Gerwig said.

Gerwig wants audiences to eventually share a similar experience watching "The Magician's Brother."

"I hope they laugh. I hope they cry. I hope they feel like they've been on an adventure," Gerwig said. "I hope when they leave the theater they want to make something...a song, a cake...creating is an act of hope."