AceShowbiz - Since Netflix began producing its own original movies, the streaming giant has generally preferred that its content stay exclusive to the Netflix platform, available primarily on viewers’ televisions and mobile devices. However, over time, Netflix has shown some willingness to collaborate with movie theaters, recognizing that audiences are eager to pay extra for the experience of watching Netflix originals on the big screen. This was demonstrated by the strong box office performance of the Stranger Things finale and last year’s Oscar-winning film Frankenstein by Guillermo del Toro, which enjoyed an extended theatrical run due to popular demand.

Now, Netflix has officially announced that its upcoming film The Magician's Nephew, directed by Greta Gerwig, will mark a significant milestone for the streamer. This film will not only premiere in theaters but will also have an extended theatrical window before becoming available on Netflix. The highly anticipated adaptation of C.S. Lewis’ beloved fantasy novel is scheduled to debut in theaters with a run exceeding 50 days prior to its streaming release, a move that signals Netflix’s increasing commitment to traditional theatrical distribution for select projects.

While this news is exciting for fans of the franchise and cinema enthusiasts, it comes with a delay. Originally planned for a November 2026 release, Netflix has now pushed back the theatrical debut of The Magician's Nephew to February 12, 2027. Additionally, there will be sneak preview screenings on IMAX screens starting February 10, 2027. Following its theatrical run, the film is set to premiere on Netflix on April 2, 2027, 51 days after its initial release in theaters.

This delay reflects the complex negotiations and creative discussions that Greta Gerwig has reportedly had with Netflix concerning the rollout strategy for her follow-up to the hit film Barbie. Gerwig’s vision for a full theatrical rollout appears to have ultimately prevailed, allowing the film to enjoy a proper cinematic release that Netflix previously hesitated to commit to for its originals.

"Working with Netflix to bring this film to life has been extraordinary, and IMAX continues to be an incredible partner," Gerwig said in a statement. "I was a child when I first read The Magician's Nephew, and I fell in love with the gorgeously improbable but completely brilliant concept of a cosmic lion singing the world of Narnia to life. I didn't know that I would grow up to make films, but a universe built out of music is an idea that always lived in my heart. It is the honor of a lifetime to be asked to imagine it into being. Because of C. S. Lewis's The Chronicles of Narnia, I believed in magic and hidden worlds and adventure. I believed that anywhere could be enchanted and that anyone could be swept up into an epic. That wonder and awe was available to everyone, even ordinary people like me... It transformed me."

The Magician's Nephew is the sixth book in C.S. Lewis’ Narnia series but is chronologically the first story. While the Narnia books have been adapted for film before, this marks the first time that this particular story has been brought to the big screen. Netflix has already confirmed a notable cast for the film, including Emma Mackey, Carey Mulligan, Ciarán Hinds, Daniel Craig, and Meryl Streep. There have been rumors that Meryl Streep will voice the lion Aslan, a central figure in the Narnia universe.

The crew assembled for The Magician's Nephew signals Netflix’s ambition for the film to be a serious awards contender. Gerwig, who has received four Academy Award nominations across her previous three films, will both write and direct the adaptation. The film’s cinematographer is Seamus McGarvey, known for his Oscar-nominated work on Atonement and Anna Karenina. The editor is Andrew Weisblum, who has been nominated for Oscars for Black Swan and tick, tick...BOOM!

Musical contributions come from Mark Ronson and Andrew Wyatt, with Ronson previously earning an Oscar nomination for the song "I'm Just Ken" from Barbie. The set decorator is Oscar-winner Lee Sandales, who won for his work on Wicked. Visual effects supervision falls to Oscar-winner Paul Franklin, known for his work on Inception and Interstellar. Lastly, costumes are designed by Jacqueline Durran, an Oscar-winner for Anna Karenina and Gerwig’s Little Women.

After the critical and commercial success of Barbie, including its recognition at the Academy Awards, it is unsurprising that Gerwig has secured a top-tier creative team for this adaptation. The extended theatrical release ensures that audiences will have the opportunity to experience the film in a cinematic setting, rather than solely through streaming at home.

This theatrical-first approach could mark a significant win for Netflix, demonstrating that their original films can succeed both on the big screen and in awards season, potentially leading to further Oscar recognition. It also signals a shift in Netflix’s distribution strategy, suggesting a greater openness to traditional theatrical windows for their high-profile projects.

In summary, while fans of The Magician's Nephew will need to wait a bit longer than initially anticipated, the extended theatrical run and the impressive creative team behind the film bode well for its reception. The film’s February 2027 release and subsequent Netflix streaming debut in April will offer audiences both a grand cinematic experience and the convenience of home viewing shortly after.

This article is based on reporting originally published by ComicBook.com.