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Original Narnia Star's Remake Comments Are Exactly Why He Should Return For Greta Gerwig's Adaptation

screenrant.com 2 days ago
The children of the Chronicles of Narnia pose for a cover photo

Summary

  • Greta Gerwig's Narnia remake will have a new cast, but original star William Moseley is eager to return.
  • Moseley understands the bittersweet theme of growing up in Lewis' work, making him a fitting choice.
  • Moseley could play adult characters like Mr. Tumnus or Professor Digory Kirke in the reboot.

Greta Gerwig's The Chronicles of Narnia remake will have to feature a brand new cast, but one of the original stars has proven why he should return anyway. 2005's The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe was the first live-action imagining of C.S. Lewis' beloved fantasy book series, which means it is now difficult to separate the characters from those who played them. Gerwig will have the challenging task of recasting Peter, Susan, Edmund, and Lucy Pevensie, but that isn't to say her upcoming Narnia remake can't feature the legacy cast in other ways.

The four child protagonists of The Chronicles of Narnia were played by William Moseley, Anna Popplewell, Skandar Keynes, and Georgie Henley, each portraying their characters spectacularly. Of course, as is part of the theme of Lewis' Narnia books, these actors and their characters ultimately grew up, and Gerwig's reboot will start the story with new actors from the beginning. Moseley, who played Peter in the Disney movies, said he would be willing to return for Gerwig's Chronicles of Narnia movie if he were asked, but he finds that the themes of Lewis' work might not allow it.

A composite image of Greta Gerwig in front of a white background with the Pevensie children from The Chronicles of Narnia pointing a sword at something offscreen
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William Moseley Has Demonstrated Respect For Narnia's Lore

Peter Pevensie with a sword and Aslan in The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe

Moseley seems eager and ready to return for Gerwig's movie if the opportunity were presented, but he made a point that the doors to Narnia may be closed to him now. The actor pointed out a line spoken to Peter in The Chronicles of Narnia: The Voyage of the Dawn Treader —"Your time here now is done." This indicates that, just as Peter grew up beyond his time in Narnia, Moseley had already served his purpose to the fictional world. However, such a touching sentiment makes him more fitting for the upcoming reboot.

It's precisely this kind of appreciation for Lewis' work and what it represents that Gerwig's Narnia movie needs.

There's a lot of symbolism in Lewis' Chronicles of Narnia, much of which revolves around the bittersweet nature of growing up. This is something that Moseley seems to intimately understand, having already related this to his own experience working on this film franchise in the 2000s. It's precisely this kind of appreciation for Lewis' work and what it represents that Gerwig's Narnia movie needs. Therefore, it can be hoped that the director would invite Moseley to join, though the actor clearly couldn't portray Peter any longer.

How William Moseley Could Fit In Greta Gerwig's Narnia Remake

There's 1 Narnia Character William Moseley's Previous Role Makes Him Perfect For

Professor Kirke from Narnia

While a new young cast must be brought in to play the Pevensies, Moseley could play countless adult characters if asked to return. Mr. Tumnus would be fitting since he is Lucy's first connection with Narnia and why the children decide to stay int he first place. Moseley could also potentially lend his voice to Aslan, replacing Liam Neeson and allowing for a nostalgic connection for those who notice. However, there is one character in The Chroncicles of Narnia that would be the most fitting for a prior child of Narnia to portray.

Professor Digory Kirke, whom Peter, Susan, Edmund, and Lucy come to stay with in The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe, would be the most appropriate character for Moseley to play in Gerwig's upcoming movie. The old man's history is deeply rooted in Narnia since he, like Peter, had traveled there as a child. Of course, the actor would need to be aged up to take on the role, but since the Professor is later reverted to his youth in the Narnia books, this would make sense. It would be a nostalgic and beautiful poetic way to get Moseley back involved with the remake—if only Gerwig takes this route.

The Chronicles of Narnia Lion Witch Wardrobe Movie Poster
The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe

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Director
Andrew Adamson
Release Date
December 9, 2005
Studio(s)
Walt Disney Pictures , Walden Media , Mark Johnson Productions
Distributor(s)
Buena Vista Pictures Distribution
Writers
Ann Peacock , Andrew Adamson , Christopher Markus , Stephen McFeely
Cast
William Moseley , Anna Popplewell , Skandar Keynes , Georgie Henley , Tilda Swinton , James McAvoy , Jim Broadbent , Liam Neeson
Runtime
143 Minutes
Sequel(s)
The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian (2008) , The Chronicles of Narnia: The Voyage of the Dawn Treader
Budget
$180 Million
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