Greta Gerwig's Narnia adaptation is arriving with a classic-rock soundtrack-and an explanation for a musical choice that has divided viewers. The filmmaker says Led Zeppelin's "Stairway to Heaven" captures the spiritual journey at the heart of The Magician's Nephew, according to ChurchLeaders.
Gerwig interprets the song as a contrast between spiritual discovery and misleading paths. For her, that connection made it an appropriate introduction to C.S. Lewis' fantasy world, where wonder and temptation accompany the discovery of a newly created land.
The decision also required conversations with Jimmy Page and Robert Plant. Speaking with Stephen Colbert at an October 13 promotional event, Gerwig said their appreciation for Lewis helped secure permission, ChurchLeaders reports. She also described an extensive preparation process that included revisiting Lewis' writing and exploring his literary influences.
The song choice gives audiences an early indication of Gerwig's approach: an adaptation willing to bring familiar cultural references into Lewis' imaginative universe. Whether that combination deepens the story's appeal or distracts from its distinctive character is already becoming part of the conversation.
ChurchLeaders reports sharply contrasting responses to the trailer. Some viewers welcomed its spectacle, while others compared its visual style to Marvel films and questioned its fidelity to the source material. David French offered a positive reaction, while Samuel Sey criticized the adaptation's creative direction despite acknowledging Gerwig's filmmaking ability. Those comments reflect reactions to promotional footage rather than reviews of the completed film.
The underlying story follows Digory Kirke and Polly Plummer into other worlds and the beginnings of Narnia. Music already occupies a central place in Lewis' narrative: Aslan sings the world into existence. That makes the adaptation's treatment of sound particularly significant for readers who treasure the book's creation scene.
For Gerwig, the trailer's music presents an invitation to recognize the spiritual stakes beneath the adventure. For audiences, it offers an early test of how comfortably her cinematic imagination sits alongside a deeply cherished book.
Watch The Trailer Embedded In ChurchLeaders' Report.
