Meryl Streep’s reported role in Netflix’sThe Chronicles of Narniaeases one of my concerns, even though the casting will be controversial. The belovedChronicles of Narniabookswritten by C.S. Lewis are being adapted for the streaming platform,with Academy Award-winning filmmaker Greta Gerwig attached to direct at least two of the movies.Gerwig’s firstNarniamoviewill be released on Jul 14, 2025, and despite being a Netflix film, it will be available to watch on approximately 1,000 IMAX screens for a limited time before it begins streaming a month later.
While there has been no word on who will playNarnia’s Pevensie siblings, Grammy Award winner Charli XCX is reportedly being considered for the role of Jadis, more commonly known as the White Witch, along with Daniel Craig being eyed to play Professor Digory Kirke. In the latest casting news,Meryl Streep is in talks to voice Aslan. None of these actors are confirmed to have joined the movie, but having Streep voice Aslan would be an intriguing and complicated casting decision.
Meryl Streep’s Aslan Casting Would Mark A Major Divergence From The Narnia Books
It Is Complicated By The Allegory Of Narnia
With 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.
Wait, Greta Gerwig’s Narnia Remake Plan For Aslan Might Top The Movies' Liam Neeson Casting After All
Casting rumors are starting to swirl for Greta Gerwig’s Netflix adaptation of The Chronicles of Narnia, and the newest one is incredibly exciting.
Part of the enduring appeal ofThe Chronicles of Narniais that it can be enjoyed and understood as an accessible fantasy story and as a Christian allegory. It would be a divisive decision to make Aslan female given the religious allegory behind the character, as this goes beyond simply making a change to the source material. At a stage when little is known about what Netflix’s adaptation will look like, a significant change like this will make some longtime fans question how Gerwig, her creative team, and the streaming platform are approaching Lewis' well-known stories.
Despite Being Controversial, The Narnia Remake’s Aslan Plan Eases One Of My Fears
The Netflix Movies Need To Feel Different From The Disney Versions
Regardless of the controversy that would come with Streep voicing Aslan, it alleviates my fear that Netflix’s adaptations will not stand out fromDisney’sChronicles of Narniamoviesand will end up feeling like a retread of what has already been seen before. While the Disney movies received their fair share of criticism, they all had their merits, andThe Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobewas a particularly strong adaptation. Netflix needs to find a way to make their adaptations feel distinct and tojustify retelling the story for a reason other thanNarniabeing a popular IP.
The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe
2005
2008
The Voyage of the Dawn Treader
2010
Having Streep voice Aslan bodes well for the new movies' ability to take a creative approach that feels equally unique and meaningful. FromLittle WomentoBarbie, Gerwig’s creative choices always pay off in the end. If she wants Streep to play Aslan, I am confident that her reasoning is rooted in thematic reasons that will elevate the story. Being different from the previous movies will be especially important when adaptingThe Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe,Prince Caspian, andThe Voyage of the Dawn Treader, since Disney has already adapted these specific installments.
Netflix’s Narnia Movies Must Strike The Right Balance Between Being Faithful & Being Bold
This Will Be The Key To The Movies' Success
The discussion surrounding Streep’s potential casting speaks to the larger challenge that the Netflix movies face. They need to be different and bold enough to warrant being made while also being faithful toThe Chronicles of Narniabooks. Striking that balance will be difficult, but it is the only way that the new movies can be genuinely successful. Having Charli XCX play the White Witch and having Streep voice Aslan both feel like bold casting choices, but there is a way to make them work well in alignment with the source material.
The White Witch was played by Tilda Swinton in 2005’sThe Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe.
Ifall sevenNarniabooks are adapted, there is potential for more than one actor to play these characters. Charli XCX could play the younger Jadis inThe Magician’s Nephew, while an older actor plays the character inThe Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe. As for Streep, she could end up playing Aslan in just one or a couple of the movies, especially if she does not want to be locked into the franchise for the next decade. Regardless,Netflix’sThe Chronicles of Narniawill hopefully find a way to achieve the necessary balance.
