New Look at Emma Mackey in NARNIA: THE MAGICIAN’S NEPHEW Has Fans Debating Greta Gerwig’s Vision
A new look at Emma Mackey as Jadis in Narnia: The Magician’s Nephew has arrived, and fans have plenty to say about it.
Empire Magazine revealed Mackey’s latest costume from Greta Gerwig’s upcoming Netflix adaptation, showing the actress in a striking metallic glam-rock look that’s quite different from the imagery audiences may associate with the White Witch.
Mackey plays Jadis, who eventually becomes the White Witch, but The Magician’s Nephew catches the character at a much different point in her story.
Mackey seems to be having a blast with this version of the character, telling Empire: “In the script she’s described as ‘all chaos and bad plans.’ She’s this larger-than-life creature.”
The costume certainly matches that description. It has also become a major talking point among Narnia fans, with reactions ranging from excitement over Gerwig’s visual choices to outright concern about where she’s taking C.S. Lewis’ fantasy world.
One fan, @H4rshhh, reacted: “What the f–k happened to Narnia ?? m– are really ruining one more epic.” @tt_delrey was equally unhappy, writing, “I have lost all hopes for this film.”
Another user, @urShmeat, compared what we’ve seen with previous Narnia adaptations: “This s–t is going to be nowhere close to the original Narnia.”
Other fans are much more interested in seeing Gerwig run with it. @WeForOurNature wrote, “Emma Mackey screaming in that metal dress looks so great, I’m watching.”
@CineLabHQ offered some context for why the costume could fit this particular chapter of Jadis’ story: “This is Jadis of Charn, not the winter queen yet.
“The Magician’s Nephew drops her into London first – havoc, not ice. The glam-rock armor fits an empress who already wrecked her own world. Eagle & Child in the shot is a sharp Lewis nod.”
@Jacksonmilbi was also into the reveal, writing, “Emma Mackey as Jadis looks absolutely unreal? Greta Gerwig’s Narnia era is already looking visually wild.”
The divided response isn’t surprising. Gerwig appears to be giving The Magician’s Nephew a visual identity of its own rather than recreating the aesthetic of previous Narnia movies, or even the books. Mackey’s metallic costume is already getting people talking about what this version of Narnia will actually look and feel like.
Mackey is joined by an great cast that includes Daniel Craig, Carey Mulligan, Ciarán Hinds, Denise Gough, Kobna Holdbrook-Smith, David McKenna, and Beatrice Campbell. Meryl Streep will provide the voice of Aslan.
We’re still only getting pieces of Gerwig’s Narnia at this point, but Mackey’s Jadis makes makes it clear that this movie isn’t trying to look like the Narnia adaptations that came before it. Whether fans end up loving that approach or wishing for something more familiar, the debate has already started.