Meryl Streep’s casting as the voice of Aslan, the Christ-like lion in Netflix’s adaptation of ‘Narnia,’ has sparked criticism from Christian and media figures. Some are questioning the choice, while a Change.org petition is calling for the replacement of director Greta Gerwig for future films.
The petition, titled “Demand Netflix to replace the director of the Narnia films,” was launched following backlash from Christians over the implications of an actress voicing Aslan, seen as a Jesus Christ allegory. ‘Narnia: The Magician’s Nephew,’ directed by Gerwig and based on the 1955 novel by C.S. Lewis, plans a release in February 2027 in theaters and April 2027 on Netflix.
Concerns arose after it was announced that Streep would voice Aslan. Dr. Ted Baehr, founder of Movieguide, expressed confusion over the choice, noting that most fans view Aslan as a Christ figure. He suggested this casting could alienate a significant Christian audience.
Baehr, who fought to preserve Aslan’s integrity in the 1979 adaptation, noted that Gerwig approaches the story from a different perspective, imagining it as a “rock opera.” She wanted an actor “who could communicate depth and pathos as well as joy and delight,” and settled on Streep for these qualities.
Ned Lott, a casting and voice director, reflected on his experience casting Aslan for the 2005 film. He emphasized the importance of voice matching the character’s integrity, sharing how they ultimately chose Liam Neeson for Aslan’s voice due to a serendipitous experience.
Lott explained that the focus should remain on the character’s representation rather than the performer’s gender. While he acknowledges artistic reasons behind Streep’s casting, he reiterated a belief in maintaining the integrity of Lewis’s original vision.