Greta Gerwig’s White Witch Reinvention: How Emma Mackey Changes the Narnia Villain

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From the beginning of “The Chronicles of Narnia,” Jadis, also known as the White Witch, has been a significant and memorable figure. To audiences who grew up with the series, she may seem more fully developed compared to the child protagonists. Portrayed brilliantly by Tilda Swinton in the 2000s film adaptations, her performance was so compelling that she continued to appear throughout the sequels, even when she wasn’t the primary antagonist. In the upcoming “Narnia” reboot directed by Greta Gerwig, Emma Mackey from “Barbie” has been cast as the White Witch.

As a passionate cinephile, I eagerly anticipate the unique take that Greta Gerwig and Netflix will bring to the Narnia films, as they undoubtedly reimagine certain aspects from the books and prior adaptations, infusing their distinct vision into the story’s foundation. The iconic character of Jadis, once rooted in the Snow Queen archetype from The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe, has evolved over time and taken on a more humanly sinister form under Tilda Swinton’s enchanting portrayal. This evolution, coupled with contemporary analysis, has only served to deepen her impact. Gerwig and Mackey are set to reinvigorate this cherished fantasy antagonist, making it an opportune moment to reflect upon the past interpretations of her character.

The Chronicles Of Narnia’s White Witch Book Description Explained

Lewis’ Original White Witch Is A Fairy Tale Evil Queen Rather Than An Epic Fantasy Villain

In a more contemporary style, C.S. Lewis’ initial portrayal of the White Witch in his stories is deeply rooted in traditional fairy tales, creating a character that is distinctly inhuman despite her humanoid form. Modern readers of fantasy literature can relate to this depiction when they encounter descriptions of popular fae characters. The illustrations and texts from “The Magician’s Nephew” and “The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe” describe Jadis as being seven feet tall, strikingly beautiful, with black hair, red lips, and skin as white as snow, paper, or icing sugar. This pallor is due to her forcible consumption of an apple from the Tree of Youth, a detail that reminds Edmund of these same materials later on.

In my film enthusiast’s perspective, Jadis is often praised for her fierce and proud demeanor, exuding an air of pride, coldness, and sternness that was never fully explored in Disney adaptations due to time constraints. Her formidable powers, such as immortality, shapeshifting, and the knowledge of a word capable of annihilating all life in a world, were merely hinted at. In the original story, she’s portrayed as utterly indifferent, valuing only her power and self-interest, treating others and everything else as mere tools to serve her whims. This icy persona was translated into the movie, but due to the different medium, it was expressed in unique ways that still conveyed her cold and powerful nature effectively to the audience.

How Tilda Swinton’s Jadis In The Disney Movies Compares To The Narnia Books

Swinton Used The Movie Medium To Show More Subtleties Of Jadis

In my opinion, Tilda Swinton truly outshone many others when she delivered an exceptional portrayal of Jadis in a timeless fantasy movie villain role. What made her performance stand out was not just her chilling and ruthless depiction that mirrored the book’s characterization, but also her skillful use of nuanced body language to convey moments of doubt and fear. Despite the constraints imposed by the film’s runtime, she managed to evoke the grandeur and mystery of Jadis’ powers.

Interestingly, due to the initial unrealistic Snow White-esque description, the creators slightly reimagined her character design for a more captivating and believable portrayal on screen.

In the makeup and costume design of the 2005 film “The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe,” there was a preference for light hues throughout, symbolizing Jadis’ icy character. This choice included a blonde wig, light blues and whites, along with white furs and an icicle crown. Yet, they added depth to her character by providing a more diverse wardrobe for the final battle, featuring golden armor and chain-mail, portraying Jadis as a formidable warrior who took pride in slaying Aslan. The designers also made efforts to humanize her, since she was played by an actual actress, but maintained her terrifying fantasy essence through other means.

How The Narnia Remake’s Take On The White Witch Compares To The Books & Prior Movies

Emma Mackey Will Probably Draw On Her Experience To Make Jadis More Layered

Emma Mackey’s acting background encompasses numerous dramatic roles, which gives us insight into why Gerwig finds her compelling, even though we haven’t seen her portray a truly villainous character yet. Mackey has graced the screen as the renowned Brontë in Emily, solved mysteries in Death on the Nile, and delved into period dramas and comedic performances. Given Gerwig’s style, we can expect her to create a more intricate portrayal of the White Witch, exploring her motivations for seeking power and showcasing her hidden vulnerabilities.

In another version, we can say that Mackey naturally has dark hair, and it would be appealing to preserve this feature on-screen. The assumption that, since she’s essentially the Snow Queen, everything should be light colors isn’t set in stone — this adjustment might also make Jadis feel more connected to her initial description. In The Magician’s Nephew, Jadis isn’t yet strongly linked with winter. This novel appears to be the one that Gerwig is adapting first. By exploring the plot of this book, Gerwig can present a wider array of the witch’s powers, potentially leading to a richer interpretation of The Chronicles of Narnia as a whole.

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2025-04-28 20:01