Meryl Streep's casting as the voice of Aslan in Greta Gerwig's upcoming Narnia film has sparked heated online backlash, with some Christian critics calling the decision 'woke' and accusing the production of tampering with one of C.S. Lewis's most recognisable Christian figures.
Streep, 77, has been officially cast as the voice of Aslan in Narnia: The Magician's Nephew, Gerwig's adaptation of Lewis's fantasy novel for Netflix. The film is scheduled to arrive in cinemas on 12 February 2027, followed by its Netflix release on 2 April.
The controversy centres not simply on Streep's casting, but on what Aslan represents to many readers of Lewis's books.
Why Meryl Streep's Aslan Casting Has Caused Backlash
Aslan is a talking lion who plays a central role in the world of Narnia. The character is traditionally depicted as male and is widely understood as a Christ figure, with elements of his story drawing parallels with the life, death and resurrection of Jesus.
Previous film adaptations featured Liam Neeson as the voice of Aslan, including the three films released between 2005 and 2010. Streep's casting therefore represents a significant change in the voice associated with the character.
Following the announcement, social media users questioned why a female actor had been chosen to voice a character traditionally portrayed as a male lion.
One critic wrote directly to Streep, saying: 'They are using you and your good name to blaspheme Christians.'
Another questioned the theological reasoning behind the casting, writing that Aslan is based on Jesus and arguing that both Jesus and the Narnia's lion are male.
Others focused on the more straightforward issue of the character's established presentation, with one commenter asking why a 'MALE LION' would sound like Streep and calling the decision 'ridiculous'.
The reaction has subsequently been described in coverage as a 'woke' backlash from Christian groups and critics. However, the comments being circulated online come from individual social media users and commentators rather than representing the views of Christians as a whole.
Has Greta Gerwig Actually Made Aslan Female?
Despite the backlash, an important distinction remains between Streep voicing Aslan and Aslan being rewritten as a female character. There is currently no confirmation that Gerwig has changed Aslan's gender in the film.
Recent reporting notes that the character continues to be referred to as male in available material surrounding the production. Netflix's official announcement also identifies Streep as part of the cast but does not state that Aslan has been rewritten as female.
The casting has nevertheless raised questions because Streep is the first woman announced to provide Aslan's voice in a major screen adaptation, making the decision noticeably different from the previous films.
Greta Gerwig Explains Why She Chose Streep
Gerwig has offered a very different explanation for the casting.
In an interview with Empire, the filmmaker said she was looking for an actor who could combine wisdom, emotional depth and a sense of wonder.
Gerwig said she wanted someone 'profound but not pretentious' and with 'gravitas' without becoming overly serious. She also wanted someone older than 70 who could convey 'wisdom of experience' while retaining a childlike sense of wonder.
The director also described Streep as one of the greatest actors she could have chosen for the role. Her explanation puts the emphasis on Streep's acting ability, rather than suggesting that the casting was intended to change the character's Christian symbolism.
A New Look for Aslan
The casting controversy is not the only change Gerwig is bringing to Narnia.
The new Aslan design reportedly draws inspiration from David Bowie, including distinctive multicoloured eyes and red markings on the lion's face. Gerwig has also spoken about wanting the world of Narnia to have a strong musical quality, drawing inspiration from the rock music of the 1960s and 1970s.
That creative approach is part of Gerwig's broader vision for The Magician's Nephew, which is the first Narnia novel in chronological order of the fictional world, although it was published as the sixth book in the original series.
The story follows Digory and Polly as they enter the mysterious Wood Between the Worlds and witness the creation of Narnia.
When Will Meryl Streep's Narnia Film Be Released?
Narnia: The Magician's Nephew is being written and directed by Gerwig and produced for Netflix. The cast includes Streep alongside Daniel Craig, Emma Mackey, Carey Mulligan, Ciarán Hinds, Denise Gough, Kobna Holdbrook-Smith and newcomers David McKenna and Beatrice Campbell.
Netflix has confirmed a cinema release on 12 February 2027, with the film arriving on the streaming service on 2 April 2027.
For now, the debate surrounding Meryl Streep's Aslan centres on the decision to have a female actor voice the traditionally male character. While some Christian critics have labelled the decision 'woke' or even 'blasphemous', there is no confirmed evidence that Gerwig has actually rewritten Aslan as a woman. Until Netflix or the filmmakers reveal more about the character, the extent of the adaptation remains unclear.
