Director Greta Gerwig is bringing The Chronicles of Narnia back to the big screen, saying C.S. Lewis’ Christian faith and imagination played an important role in bringing the beloved fantasy world to life.

The Barbie director unveiled the first trailer for Netflix’s upcoming film, Narnia: The Magician’s Nephew, at a special IMAX event in New York City, underscoring the news with a discussion of her lifelong connection to Lewis’ books and the spiritual themes behind them.

“I don’t remember a time when I didn’t know the books,” Gerwig told Colbert, describing the stories as “a part of the DNA of who I am. … These books created me.”

The trailer offered audiences their first look at Gerwig’s vision of Narnia, including the young adventurers Digory Kirke and Polly Plummer, the evil White Witch and the magical world that has captivated generations of readers.

One of the trailer’s biggest moments came near the end. The outline of Aslan, the great lion who represents Jesus Christ in Lewis’ stories, appeared before the children.

Gerwig said her love for Narnia began in childhood. Growing up without a television, she recalled her parents making an exception so she could watch the BBC’s adaptation of Lewis’ books.

That childhood fascination became a major filmmaking project in 2020, when Gerwig began writing the screenplay and drew inspiration from passages in Lewis’ books that gave her “chills.”

“It started from my complete love of these books,” she explained.

Gerwig also immersed herself in Lewis’ Christian writings, including Mere Christianity and Surprised by Joy, his spiritual autobiography.

She also traveled to Oxford, Cambridge and Belfast, Northern Ireland, to better understand the man whose faith shaped the world of Narnia.

When Colbert asked about the influence of Christianity on her filmmaking, Gerwig recalled singing in her church choir as a child.

“Film and faith have always gone hand in hand,” she said, reflecting on the importance of community in both her personal life and creative work.

Lewis, who died in 1963, remains one of Christianity’s most influential writers. His seven-book Chronicles of Narnia series is celebrated for its biblical symbolism, particularly Aslan, whose character reflects the sacrifice, resurrection and divine authority of Jesus Christ.

The Magician’s Nephew explores the creation of Narnia and the entrance of evil into its world. It gives Gerwig an opportunity to introduce audiences to the spiritual foundations of Lewis’ fictional universe.

However, the upcoming adaptation has already sparked controversy among some Christian fans over reports that Meryl Streep will voice Aslan, with critics arguing that casting a woman as the Christ-like lion could weaken the character’s theological symbolism.

The families of Lewis’ stepsons, David and Douglas Gresham, defended Gerwig and praised her commitment to the original stories.

“Her lifelong love of C.S. Lewis is apparent to everyone involved with this film,” the families said in a statement.

Despite the debate, Gerwig hopes the film will preserve the wonder that made Lewis’ books so meaningful to her.

She wants audiences to “laugh, cry, feel like they’ve been on an epic adventure” and leave inspired by the experience.

Narnia: The Magician’s Nephew is scheduled to begin IMAX previews on February 10, 2027, before opening in theaters on February 12 and arriving on Netflix on April 2.