Cast of the next Netflix version The Chronicles of Narnia will be a difficult task, as many longtime fans and critics have strong opinions about who should play the beloved characters. One actress who was often discussed in fan casting conversations was Saoirse Ronan, who has worked with director Greta Gerwig several times. Although Ronan denied rumors that she was cast Narnia in the past, there is always the possibility that this could change (via Deadline). However, it is certain that Ronan could not play Susan Pevensie, the role for which she was chosen by fans.
Greta Gerwig Narnia The remake should bring justice to Susan, one of the most underdeveloped Pevensie children. Ronan is often mentioned in Susan's casting discussion because her beautiful features and longtime partnership with Gerwig make her an obvious choice. However, Ronan has aged out of this role and it is well known that adults are not welcome in Narnia. Despite this, all hope for Gerwig's participation in the franchise is not lost, as the Pevensies are far from the only characters in the entire classic series of C.S. Lewis novels, especially if Netflix adapts all the books.
Saoirse Ronan may appear in Netflix's Narnia films without playing Susan Pevensie
There are adult characters featured in every novel she could bring to life
The role options available for Ronan to play in the new Narnia the films are numerous. Ranging from minor, cameo-like roles to iconic members of the franchise. Of course, there are many voice cast roles that Ronan could play, as the animals of Narnia are an immersive part of the world. However, seeing Ronan's face and witnessing her as part of a fantastical world would be a lot of fun. In terms of adult women, Ronan could play the Pevensies' mother, although this was a brief role at first.
Jadis, the White Witch, was played by Tilda Swinton, and trying to fill that role would be difficult, but Ronan would be more than up to the challenge.
Later in the series, Ronan could even play Mrs. Lefay, a character from The magician's nephew. Although this required the film to delve deeper into the mysterious character's backstory. A fun role for Ronan and the audience would be the White Witch. Jadis, the White Witch, was played by Tilda Swinton, and trying to fill that role would be difficult, but Ronan would be more than up to the challenge. However, one of the best and most forgotten villains in the world Narnia franchise is the Green Kirtle Lady, who appears in The silver chair.
Book |
Release year |
The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe |
1950 |
Prince Caspian |
1951 |
The Voyage of the Dawn Treader |
1952 |
The silver chair |
1953 |
The horse and his boy |
1954 |
The magician's nephew |
1955 |
The last battle |
1956 |
The Green Kirtle Lady would be the perfect role for the actor
A later addition to the series, The Lady of the Green Kirtle makes sense for Ronan
It's been discussed that Saoirse Ronan wants to play a villain, and The Lady in the Green Kirtle is the kind of role that Ronan could easily take on. The main antagonist of The silver chairThe Lady of the Green Kirtle is a mysterious force of evil that captures and torments the prince that the protagonists seek in the story. Throughout his career, Ronan played flawed characters, but was rarely seen as an outright antagonist. This would be an interesting change for the actress and for the audience watching the new Narnia films.
As the amount of viewers who are familiar with The silver chair and The Lady of the Green Kirtle is less than those who know the story of The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobethis represents an exciting opportunity. Other than the Lady's desire to spread chaos and use magic, little is known about her and her motivations, and Ronan is a skilled enough actor to take on an underdeveloped role and create a brilliant character with nuances and intrigue. Although Gerwig may not be directing The silver chair adaptation, that doesn't mean Ronan shouldn't be part of it.
Casting Saoirse Ronan in a smaller Narnia role would perfectly honor her fancasting
While fans don't need to influence the films, it's fun to pay homage to them
Most of the voices calling for Ronan to be cast as Susan are well aware that the actress cannot be cast in the role and are recalling her performances as a child actress. Fan casting has become more common in recent years and when it comes to adaptations of famous books many longtime readers want to see the right actors cast in the beloved roles. Of course, no producer or casting director needs to listen to internet fans, but using them as Easter eggs can be fun for both audiences and filmmakers.
Placing Ronan and other fan cast actors in smaller roles ensures that the filmmakers' vision of Narnia is maintained while recognizing fans. Although The Lady with the Green Kirtle is the main antagonist of one of the books, she is not a recurring character on whom the story depends, which makes her a somewhat minor character. The Green Kirtle Lady only appears in The silver chairand this could be an opportunity for Gerwig Narnia reboot to give the witches the story they need, with Ronan as part of that expansive worldbuilding.
Saoirse Ronan will only be able to play Lady Of Green The Kirtle if Greta Gerwig adapts all the Narnia books
There is enormous pressure on Gerwig and Netflix to bring all the books to life
Rumors are circulating about whether Gerwig's relationship Narnia will start with a prequel and adapt The magician's nephew first. However, it's clear that if that's the plan, Netflix will need to greenlight the entire series before the initial film premieres. The silver chair is the fourth book in order of publication in Narnia series, then it would take a long time for the films to get to this point if they were released chronologically. While Ronan being part of the franchise isn't the most important part of the series, it would be a fun addition.
Only two films have been confirmed so far, with Gerwig set to direct both, meaning plans to bring The silver chair for life probably didn't enter the conversation. There are ways Ronan could play The Lady with the Green Kirtle and still appear in Gerwig's films if she appears in The Chronicles of Narnia early, when the witches' past comes to fruition. It may turn out that Ronan never joins the cast of the films, but imagining how she would fit in shows how much potential the films have.