With a producing career spanning over four decades, Mark Johnson has an impressive portfolio of nearly 60 films, including the acclaimed The Chronicles of Narnia fantasy trilogy, the Best Picture Oscar winner Rain Man, Bugsy, Good Morning, Vietnam, Galaxy Quest, The Holdovers, and the romantic classic The Notebook. Despite his extensive filmography, none of these movies have yet been adapted into TV series, even though Johnson has made a significant mark on television with the Emmy-winning Breaking Bad and recently the Anne Rice universe on AMC.
This situation may be changing soon. In a recent interview with Deadline, coinciding with Johnson’s first-look deal extension at AMC, he shared updates on several long-gestating TV series projects. One such project is the adaptation of the cult 1999 sci-fi comedy Galaxy Quest. Previously developed in various forms at the now-defunct Paramount TV Studios, with the latest version at Paramount+ in 2023, the series is now being developed at CBS Studios, which absorbed Paramount TV.
Additionally, Johnson discussed a TV adaptation of The Holdovers, a 2023 boarding school comedy-drama produced by Focus Features. The film earned Da’Vine Joy Randolph an Oscar and brought Johnson another Best Picture nomination. Although The Holdovers has been in talks with Universal Television, no official deal has been finalized.
Currently, there are no plans to adapt The Notebook—based on Nicholas Sparks’ novel—into a TV series, despite its recent short-lived Broadway musical adaptation. However, interest is growing around the 2022 supernatural horror thriller What Lies Beneath, executive produced by Johnson. He hinted at the possibility of developing it into a limited or ongoing TV series.
Johnson also commented on the upcoming Netflix adaptation of C.S. Lewis’ bestselling The Chronicles of Narnia novels, now directed by Barbie filmmaker Greta Gerwig. While details are scarce, it is believed the film will adapt The Magician’s Nephew, a prequel exploring Narnia’s origins. The cast includes Carey Mulligan, Daniel Craig, Meryl Streep as Aslan the Great, and Emma Mackey as the White Witch.
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Reflecting on the new project, Johnson expressed admiration for Gerwig and confidence in her vision, emphasizing that her adaptation will be distinct from his original trilogy. The original Chronicles of Narnia trilogy—The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe, Prince Caspian, and The Voyage of the Dawn Treader—grossed $1.5 billion worldwide and were directed by Andrew Adamson and Michael Apted.
Unlike Johnson’s theatrical releases, Gerwig’s film will debut on Netflix but will receive a two-week IMAX theatrical run beforehand, a decision Johnson praised.
