I don't think there are actually any IMAX theaters near where I live, so I'd prefer they not make the Narnia movies for that format for selfish reasons.  

The picture size doesn’t make a huge difference to me, although seeing a Narnia movie in any theater would be an interesting experience which I haven’t had in a long time. In fact there is a new theater in the town near where I live which to my knowledge has never shown a Narnia film.  They usually don’t show old movies in theaters, but I would be willing to see the three Walden films again in one of the local theaters if they were ever shown there. It is an experience that even my television set cannot duplicate.

I just learned that there is an IMAX about 4 to 5 hours away from me, so, I am all for IMAX, it will be an excuse to go to Branson. But, really even if there wasn't, I could use this as an excuse to visit my siblings who live in another state with close IMAX theaters around them, I definitely see this as a good thing. Plus, I have been been missing the times where my family during the holidays would get together and go to a movie, we haven't been out to a movie since the Hobbit movies, this would an excellent movie or movies to see as a family in theaters.

There's an IMAX cinema in Manchester, not far from where I live, so I'd have no problem whatsoever with Narnia films being shown there. Not least because I'm not a subscriber to Netflix (or any other streaming service) at present anyway!

That said, it sounds like this is only a rumour so far and we're yet to see if there's anything factual in it. I would certainly want any new Narnia adaptations to look absolutely top quality, which it sounds like a lot of Netflix productions aren't noted for. On the other hand, sometimes movies that are made for the ultra large screen format suffer from the THIS IS AN EPIC syndrome — I mean, it tempts directors to put in a whole lot of huge dramatic scenes just for the sake of making the most of the format, even if it doesn't necessarily suit the tone of the story. I felt that way about the Walden version of LWW — that scenes like the Witch pursuing them over the ice (doesn't happen in the book), and the sweeping shots of Peter and Edmund's gigantic army, were in there mainly for the exciting visuals, all the while contradicting the much more gentle and understated tone of the original story. (I also felt the same way about the Jim Carrey version of A Christmas Carol — it was released in both 2D and 3D formats, and I saw it in 2D because that was the only version available where I lived, but while I enjoyed the film, I noticed several visually dramatic flying scenes and chase scenes and so on that I suspected were put in mainly because they'd look even more exciting in 3D.)

But again, we can only wait and see what happens. If Greta Gerwig's version of Narnia really does come to fruition at last, I'll watch it no matter what style or format it's done in, and then decide what I think! 

Posted by: @col-klink

I don't think there are actually any IMAX theaters near where I live, so I'd prefer they not make the Narnia movies for that format for selfish reasons.  

I guess my point is though, that regardless of.what screen you actually see the movie on for yourself, the intrinsic quality of the movie itself is markedly different between a shot-for-Netflix film and a shot-for-IMAX film.

A shot-for-Netflix movie like Red Notice or Extraction 2 is still going to look just as cheap and Netflixy if you view it on a theatre screen, and a shot-for-IMAX film like Top Gun 2 or Oppenheimer still looks absolutely amazing even when viewed on a regular TV.

It's not even just about picture quality and colour depth, but it's about the framing, shot selection, and almost every aspect of the cinematography - sure a lot of those little details are probably going to bypass most casual viewers on most films, but I think when you are dealing with the quintessential polar-opposites of the cinematography spectrum (Netflix compared to IMAX) I'd wager most people would probably be able to spot the difference.

Therefore I really hope there is some truth to this story, since it potentially gives Greta Gerwig the option of doing something really visually interesting with her Narnia movies, rather than being penned in by the Netflix aesthetic.

Studies have shown that movies that have been in theaters tend to do better on streaming than direct-to-streaming movies, as there is more awareness of them and they have the prestige of being a "real movie" vs a "TV movie."

If Netflix retains exclusive streaming rights to the Narnia movies it produces, I think this will be a win-win for both theaters and Netflix.  Theaters and Netflix can earn a lot of money from the theatrical release, and then anyone who wants to rewatch the movie will be forced to buy a Netflix subscription to stream it.

I know Netflix wants to kill theaters, but that's something I am entirely unsympathetic to.  I generally don't watch direct-to-streaming movies as I enjoy movies 100x more on the big screen.  With AMC A-list I can watch up to three movies in theaters a week for about $25 a month.  

I really hope Greta Gerwig gets her way and this gets a theatrical release.  It will bring more attention to the movie, and give it a better chance for Oscars. 

Posted by: @ghost93

 It will bring more attention to the movie and give it a better chance for Oscars. 

I would really like the movie to be eligible for Oscars because I'd love to read the screenplay and, in that case, Netflix will likely put it online for awards consideration. (I guess that's another selfish reason. Oh well.)

I actually enjoy reading Greta Gerwig's screenplay for Little Women more than I enjoy watching the actual movie. (With Barbie, I felt her script was pretty whatever, but her execution managed to elevate it.) 

It'd be lovely to see another Narnia film on the big screen. Not sure where the IMAX cinemas are near me as I barely go to the cinema. (A quick look shows that normal cinemas have IMAX, so, okay.) Would definitely need to look the part for it – not Netflix filming quality! More people could also be exposed to it, potentially.

If it is not to be, then that's fine. I'll just watch it through Netflix and roll with it.