Nothing in the Netflix algorithm prepared us for this. Just when the internet was busy meme-ing Charli XCX as Narnia's next ice queen, a new report hit like a blast from Jadis' wand—she's out. And in a move that feels more like Oscar season chess than blockbuster casting, Greta Gerwig's search for the White Witch is going prestige.
According to TheInSneider, the singer-turned-actress Charli XCX is no longer in contention for the role of Jadis in Netflix's upcoming Chronicles of Narnia reboot, despite earlier reports from Deadline. Instead, Gerwig reportedly plans to test three actresses, with two names now public: Margaret Qualley, fresh off The Substance, and Emma Mackey of Sex Education fame. The third remains a mystery, because of course it does—Gerwig doesn't just drop breadcrumbs; she crafts labyrinths.
Let's not pretend Hollywood hasn't played this game before. Remember when Kristen Stewart was floated as Snow White, only for Charlize Theron to steal the show as the evil queen? Casting rumors aren't just leaks—they're litmus tests. And sometimes, strategic red herrings.
Here's the twist: this isn't just casting—it's signaling. Qualley brings arthouse gravitas; Mackey exudes Gen Z magnetism with a touch of chaos. Both options suggest Gerwig isn't aiming for a CGI spectacle à la The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe (2005). She's gunning for myth with teeth. Think The Green Knight, but for streamers.
And casting the White Witch—one of the most morally and thematically loaded roles in fantasy fiction—is a statement. It's about power. Seduction. Control. Charli XCX might've brought pop rebellion, but Gerwig seems to want subtext in stilettos.
So—would you rather see a haunting, slow-burn villain or a glittering chaos agent in Jadis' throne? If Qualley conjures dread and Mackey channels mischief, what kind of Narnia are we walking into?
Would you cast instinct or intellect as your villain? Drop your dream Jadis below.
