Streep’s Aslan Casting Sparks Narnia Backlash

Meryl Streep has been cast to voice Aslan in Greta Gerwig's The Magician's Nephew. The film is due in theaters in February; Minute Mirror lists February 12, 2027, and Netflix streaming from April 2. The Narnia books have sold 120 million copies worldwide since the first volume 75 years ago. Netflix posted the casting on Instagram, drawing comments and counterarguments. Gerwig sought an actor older than 70 and said she wanted someone profound but not pretentious, with gravitas but not morose self-seriousness. Empire reported Bowie-inspired visuals; promo images show rainbow-tinted whiskers, a red stripe, and different-colored eyes. Outlets differ on a setting shift to the 1950s or the 1960s/1970s. Seth Udinsky in the Christian Post accused Gerwig of making Aslan transgender, citing the rainbow-whiskers image. Movieguide's Ted Baehr, who led a 1979 animated Narnia adaptation, said The Gospel is not a myth and that the better the film does, the more Christians will be concerned for their children and grandchildren. Lewis scholar Kat Coffin said she is far more disturbed by people violently opposed to any feminine hint in a figure for the incarnation of God. Author Christin Ditchfield Lazo said a woman voicing a male character differs from changing the character's gender and urged waiting until release. Minute Mirror reported support from Joy Davidman Gresham's family and the C.S. Lewis Company.