A new queen may be coming to Narnia, and she’s bringing a BRAT-era attitude with her. Charli XCX, fresh off a four-win sweep at the BRIT Awards and a headline slot at Glastonbury, is reportedly in talks to join Greta Gerwig’s upcoming adaptation of The Chronicles of Narnia, according to Deadline. The pop star is being considered for a major role in the Netflix film, with sources suggesting she could be stepping into the shoes of one of the franchise’s most iconic villains — Jadis, the White Witch.
Tilda Swinton last played the icy antagonist in 2005’s The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe, making the character a defining presence in the modern cinematic adaptations of C.S. Lewis’ classic books. Jadis is the force responsible for cursing Narnia with an endless winter, and her commanding presence makes her one of the most memorable figures in the series. Given Charli XCX’s bold stage persona and larger-than-life presence, the casting choice could inject an unexpected dynamic into Gerwig’s version of the fantasy epic.
Her potential involvement in Narnia adds another major title to an already packed slate of acting projects. The singer-songwriter has been making a notable transition to the screen, recently wrapping roles in Cathy Yan’s The Gallerist, Romain Gavras’ Sacrifice, and Gregg Araki’s I Want Your Sex. She is also starring in The Moment, an A24 film based on her own original idea, which has just entered production under director Aidan Zamiri. With upcoming collaborations alongside industry heavyweights like Anya Taylor-Joy, Chris Evans, Jenna Ortega, and Catherine Zeta-Jones, her pivot into film is moving quickly, and Narnia would mark her highest-profile role yet.
Netflix has been working to bring The Chronicles of Narnia back to screens since securing the rights in 2018. After years of stalled progress, the project gained momentum in 2023 when Gerwig was announced as the writer and director of at least two films in the rebooted franchise. While it remains unclear which books will be adapted first, the rumoured inclusion of Jadis suggests that The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe or The Magician’s Nephew will be the starting point. Given Gerwig’s past success with Barbie and Little Women, anticipation is high for her take on the beloved fantasy world.
Netflix, known for its streaming-first approach, has agreed to an extended theatrical release for Narnia after Gerwig pushed for a large-scale rollout. The film is expected to premiere on IMAX screens worldwide on Thanksgiving Day 2026 before arriving on the platform that Christmas. If the casting rumours hold true, Narnia may soon have a new ruler.
Natalie is a big fan of anything related to movies, TV shows, and anime — you name it. When she’s not reading or being a dedicated cinephile, she’s probably playing gacha and tabletop games, or daydreaming of Caleb from Love and Deepspace.
Kevin Low
