The Chronicles of NarniaNetflix’s upcoming Narnia reboot has the opportunity to shed light on many long-standing Narnia mysteries, including one concerning some of the books’ strongest characters. Little is known about the highly anticipated film directed by Greta Gerwig Narnia films, in addition to the project that promises to be a unique take on the story following the director’s enormous success with the bizarre fantasy of Barbie. Given the recurring motifs and themes of Gerwig’s career, the possibilities for what she will do with Narnia’s heroines and villains are monumental.
Choosing the White Witch for Gerwig Narnia films will be an almost impossible challenge when Tilda Swinton’s 2005 portrayal The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the WardrobeIt’s already a perfect villain performance in fantasy films. However, Gerwig can make her iteration of the White Witch, whose name is Jadis, powerful and unique by expanding her backstory and investigating some of the forgotten corners of the world of Narnia. One plot in particular has the potential to transform the White Witch – and another important Narnia witch – once again in these new films.
The Chronicles of Narnia books don’t explain the witches of the north well enough
Northern witches are only briefly mentioned in the Silver Chair
In The silver chairIt is mentioned that a community of witches at some point in Narnia’s history lived in the Northern Wildlands, sometimes attacking Narnia from the kingdom’s northern border. These desolate lands are generally characterized as dangerous in Narnia books, a place where black magic flourishes. Giants also inhabited the territory north of Narnia and are some of the Narnians’ oldest enemies. Both Jadis and the Lady of the Green Kirtle, the latter the main antagonist of The silver chairThey are said to be among the Witches of the North.
Their shared connection to the Witches of the North is possibly tied to the popular Narnia theory that the Green Lady is a resurrected Jadis.
Their shared connection to the Witches of the North is possibly tied to the popular Narnia theory that the Green Lady is a resurrected Jadis. However, the very concept of the Witches of the North is confusing; Jadis came to Narnia from another world, but as the other witches have no history, readers have no idea how they got there. One of the harsh realities of Narnia books is that its world-building is limited, with CS Lewis neglecting context here, keeping the focus on the children who visit Narnia. However, Gerwig has the potential to change that with the most captivating Narnia adaptation yet.
Greta Gerwig’s Narnia reboot should finally give the witches of the north a proper backstory
Gerwig’s Narnia films could elaborate on forgotten Witches of the North plot
There are many stories of the new Narnia the films should be expanded upon, but the Witches of the North are especially intriguing. One of the most notable elements of the reference to them is the implication that there were other witches in Narnia. The White Witch’s origins are not in Narnia, and after her defeat, the witches disappear from Narnia. Narnia plot for some time. It is natural to draw connections between Jadis and the Lady of the Green Kirtle when the latter’s inexplicable appearance in The silver chair is a return to Narniaoriginal plot structure.
Jadis is also the only one of the two who has a backstory. However, Gerwig has the opportunity to create new characters, whose experiences with magical power constitute weighty thematic material. How witches are portrayed in Narnia the reboot should be as important to Lucy and Susan’s character development as it is to Edmund and Peter in previous films. Additionally, Lewis notably drew on several medieval texts and mythological sources when writing Narniaand Gerwig could look to this source material for inspiration for her Witches of the North storyline, especially after the spectacular medieval adaptation of The Green Knight.
Exploring this group will make two Narnia villains much better characters
The White Witch and the Green Kirtle Lady are Narnia characters who stand out and deserve better
Even with the origin story she tells, Jadis’s characterization in Narnia is one-dimensional, while the Green Lady has no personal arc beyond taking over the underworld and kidnapping the prince. This is an example of the story and themes that Lewis wanted to highlight, particularly the heroism and innocence of the children called upon in Narnia’s darkest hour. Yet By modern standards, the White Witch and the Lady of the Green Kirtle are the most interesting characters in Narnia, while the Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe film proves that his potential is elevated by a top-notch actor.
Delving deeper into the history of the Witches of the North would help make these two iconic villains the complex characters expected today.
Delving deeper into the history of the Witches of the North would help make these two iconic villains the complex characters expected today. They don’t have to be sympathetic, but they are potentially much deeper when they coexist with other witches, all with their own ideas about power in this environment. Lewis wanted The Chronicles of Narnia having two simple villainous witches reminiscent of the fairy tales that inspired the series. However, the popularity of witches in pop culture that has emerged since the books were published demands more from the White Witch, the Lady of the Green Kirtle, and their fellow witches of Narnia.