Greta Gerwig-directed Narnia movies, other than the project promising to be a unique take on the story following the director's massive success with the bizarre fantasy of Barbie. Given the recurring motifs and themes of Gerwig's career, the possibilities of what she will do with the heroines and villainesses of Narnia are monumental.

perfect fantasy movie villain performance. However, Gerwig can make her iteration of the White Witch, whose name is Jadis, powerful and unique by expanding upon her backstory and delving into some of the overlooked corners of the Narnia world. One storyline in particular holds the potential to transform the White Witch — and another key Narnia witch — yet again in these new movies.

The Chronicles Of Narnia Books Don't Explain The Northern Witches Well Enough

The Northern Witches Are Only Briefly Mentioned In The Silver Chair

In The Silver Chair, it is mentioned that a community of witches at some point in Narnia's history lived in the Wild Lands of the North, sometimes attacking Narnia from the kingdom's northern border. These desolate lands are generally characterized as dangerous in the Narnia books, a place where dark magic flourishes. The giants also inhabited the territory north of Narnia, and are some of the Narnians' longest-standing enemies. Both Jadis and the Lady of the Green Kirtle, the latter the main antagonist of The Silver Chair, are said to have been among the Northern Witches.

Their shared connection to the Northern Witches possibly ties into the popular Narnia theory that the Green Lady is a resurrected Jadis.

Their shared connection to the Northern Witches possibly ties into the popular Narnia theory that the Green Lady is a resurrected Jadis. However, the very concept of the Northern Witches is confusing; Jadis came to Narnia from another world, but because the other witches are given no history, readers have no idea how they got there. One of the harsh realities of the Narnia books is that their world-building is limited, with C. S. Lewis neglecting to provide context here, keeping the focus on the children visiting Narnia. Yet Gerwig has the potential to change that with the most captivating Narnia adaptation yet.

Greta Gerwig's Narnia Reboot Must Finally Give The Northern Witches A Proper Backstory

Gerwig's Narnia Movies Can Elaborate Upon The Overlooked Northern Witches Plot

There are many storylines the new Narnia movies should expand upon, but the Northern Witches are especially intriguing. One of the most noteworthy elements of the reference to them is the implication that there have been other witches in Narnia. The White Witch's origins are not in Narnia, and after her defeat, witches disappear from the Narnia plot for some time. It is natural to draw connections between Jadis and the Lady of the Green Kirtle when the latter's unexplained appearance in The Silver Chair is a return to Narnia's original plot structure.

Jadis is also the only one of the two of them who has a backstory. However, Gerwig has the opportunity to create new characters, whose experiences with magical power constitute weighty thematic material. How the witches are depicted in the Narnia reboot should be as important to Lucy and Susan's character development as it is for Edmund and Peter in the previous movies. Additionally, Lewis notably drew upon various medieval texts and mythological sources while writing Narnia, and Gerwig could turn to such source material for inspiration for her Northern Witches storyline, especially after the spectacular medieval adaptation of The Green Knight.

Exploring This Group Will Make Two Narnia Villains Much Better Characters

The White Witch & The Lady Of The Green Kirtle Are Standout Narnia Characters Who Deserve Better

Even with the origin story she is given, Jadis' characterization in Narnia is one-dimensional, while the Green Lady has no personal arc besides taking over the underworld and kidnapping the prince. This is exemplary of the story and themes Lewis wanted to highlight, mostly about the heroism and innocence of the children called upon in Narnia's darkest hour. Yet by modern standards, the White Witch and the Lady of the Green Kirtle are the most interesting characters in Narnia, while the Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe movie proves their potential to be elevated by an A-list actor.

Delving into the story of the Northern Witches would help make these two iconic villains the complex characters expected today.

Delving into the story of the Northern Witches would help make these two iconic villains the complex characters expected today. They do not have to be sympathetic, but they are potentially much deeper when they have lived with other witches, who all have their own ideas about power in this setting. Lewis wanted The Chronicles of Narnia to have two straightforward witch villains reminiscent of the fairy tales that inspired the series. However, the popularity of witches in pop culture that has arisen since the books were published demands more for the White Witch, the Lady of the Green Kirtle, and their fellow Narnia witches.