{"id":43687,"date":"2025-04-07T15:12:15","date_gmt":"2025-04-07T19:12:15","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.beliefnet.com\/columnists\/idolchatter\/?p=43687"},"modified":"2025-04-07T15:12:15","modified_gmt":"2025-04-07T19:12:15","slug":"in-controversial-move-meryl-streep-is-being-considered-for-the-voice-of-aslan-in-upcoming-narnia-film","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.beliefnet.com\/columnists\/idolchatter\/2025\/04\/in-controversial-move-meryl-streep-is-being-considered-for-the-voice-of-aslan-in-upcoming-narnia-film.html","title":{"rendered":"In Controversial Move, Meryl Streep is Being Considered For the Voice of Aslan in Upcoming Narnia Film"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Adobe Stock | Inset: Denis Makarenko \/ Shutterstock.com<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

In a move that sent the internet abuzz, Deadline<\/em><\/a> confirmed a previous rumor that actress Meryl Streep is being considered to voice Aslan in Greta Gerwig\u2019s upcoming Chronicles of Narnia <\/em>film, which will be released in theaters prior to streaming on Netflix. It\u2019s a controversial move, given that the male lion Aslan is the Christ figure of the popular series. He was previously voiced by actor Liam Neeson through all three films of the previous Chronicles of Narnia <\/em>films by Disney. Other casting decisions include Charlie XCX as Jadis, better known as the White Witch, and Daniel Craig as Uncle Andrew. Although it has not been confirmed, the inclusion of casting Uncle Andrew hints that Gerwig is adapting The Magician\u2019s Nephew<\/em>, which is the first book chronologically in the series, although it was published sixth in the series.<\/p>\n

ScreenRant<\/em><\/a> admitted the difficulties of casting Aslan as a female. \u201cWith Aslan taking on the form of a male lion in the books, and male actors voicing him in previous adaptations, casting Streep would be a significant divergence from how the character had previously been depicted. Gender-swapping characters is not uncommon, especially when longtime franchises seek to reinvent themselves. In this case, gender-swapping Aslan is more complicated, though, as the character is an allegory for Christ.\u201d However, ScreenRant stated such a change would help the new films helmed by Gerwig to avoid being a \u201cretread\u201d of the Disney films. \u201cHaving Streep voice Aslan bodes well for the new movies’ ability to take a creative approach that feels equally unique and meaningful,\u201d it concluded.<\/p>\n

Many on the internet were quick to criticize the move. \u201cNarnia is a story written by a Christian author with deep themes tied to his faith. Aslan the Lion was meant to be portrayal of what Jesus would be like. Turning him into a woman is just wrong. Hollywood would once again be trying to make Christian art woke. Stop it @netflix,\u201d wrote Robby Starbuck<\/a>. \u201cAslan is a representation of the Lion of Judah, Jesus Christ. Aslan is a male. Please Hollywood, stop rewriting history, dishonoring lore & disrespecting the Christian faith\u2026\u201d wrote Jon Root.<\/a> Narnia Web<\/a> noted that such a change would impact the imagery of the Aslan\u2019s mane, which is cut off in a pivotal scene. While acknowledging that in some very rare cases a female lion can have a mane, a female Aslan would more than likely not have one. \u201cThere is of course a certain irony in the director of any Narnia adaptation coming to embody the actions of its primary villain by quite literally depriving Aslan of his mane, but there are also significant cinematic ramifications as well,\u201d Narnia Web noted. The mane also plays a key part in the prophecy that is fulfilled in The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe. <\/em>\u201cAs well as the pure symbolism of these moments, they also make for great cinematic visuals which are rich with emotion,\u201d wrote Narnia Web. \u201cBy having a mane-less Aslan, you needlessly deprive yourself of these intimate and visually compelling character moments.\u201d<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

In a move that sent the internet abuzz, Deadline confirmed a previous rumor that actress Meryl Streep is being considered to voice Aslan in Greta Gerwig\u2019s upcoming Chronicles of Narnia film, which will be released in theaters prior to streaming on Netflix. It\u2019s a controversial move, given that the male lion Aslan is the Christ…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":516,"featured_media":43690,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"fbia_status":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-43687","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-television"],"yoast_head":"\nIn Controversial Move, Meryl Streep is Being Considered For the Voice of Aslan in Upcoming Narnia Film<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Meryl Streep may voice Aslan in Greta Gerwig\u2019s Narnia film, sparking controversy over gender-swapping the Christ figure of C.S. 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