A long-time Narnia scholar and fan community leader has launched a petition urging Netflix to replace director Greta Gerwig on its upcoming film adaptations of C.S. Lewis’ beloved book series. Chaz Migliacci, who has spent two decades studying Lewis’ work and leads a fan group of over 81,000 members, created the Change.org campaign in response to mounting concerns over the direction of the new films.
The primary catalyst for the backlash stems from early creative choices and casting rumors surrounding the adaptation of The Magician’s Nephew. Controversy erupted over reports that Meryl Streep had been considered to voice Aslan—a character widely recognized as a Christ-figure in Lewis’ theology—as well as initial reports describing the film’s tone as “rock-and-roll.” According to Migliacci, a modern rock-and-roll aesthetic directly conflicts with the ethereal, timeless essence of Narnia and strays from the foundational values Lewis held.
Migliacci argues that progressive changes to the source material reflect what Lewis famously termed “chronological snobbery”—the flawed assumption that newer ideas are inherently superior to older ones. He believes the current adaptation risks stripping Lewis’ work of its deep philosophical, theological, and personal roots.
Ultimately, the petition asks Netflix to appoint a director who possesses a genuine understanding of the Gospel and a fundamental respect for Lewis’ original intentions. Migliacci emphasizes that while a director may thoroughly research Lewis’ life, capturing the true heart of Narnia requires a deep alignment with the faith and spirit that inspired the series in the first place.
