More casting news has arisen for Netflix's adaptation of The Chronicles of Narnia, with reports that Meryl Streep is in talks to take on the role of Aslan.
The three-time-Oscar winning actress best known for her roles in critical hits like The Deer Hunter and The French Lieutenant's Woman could now be about to enter the wardrobe to take on the part of the lion Aslan in Greta Gerwig's next movie.
The news was reported by Nexus Point News, who have confirmed that it is indeed a report from a verified source, and not an early April Fool's joke. But like all the other casting rumors surrounding the project, none of it has been confirmed by Netflix. It's still in the discussion phase, so nothing is certain.
What's most striking about this news is that the role is being gender-swapped. In the books, Aslan is a male lion, and is frequently referred to as such. He's essentially the Narnian manifestation of Jesus Christ, who naturally has the appearance of a lion for a world where talking beasts exist. He appears in the land when he's most needed, and goes through a version of the Crucifixion, when he gives up his life to save Edmund, one of the children, being sacrificed by the White Witch, but returning from the dead because he chose to give his life freely in Edmund's place.
He's the only character to appear in all seven of the Narnia books, and is without doubt the most important role to get right. He serves as a mentor, teacher, and savior for the children in the stories, and is used by Lewis as a way to re-imagine parts of scripture in a magical world. As Aslan says at the end of The Voyage of the Dawn Treader, when asked if he's in our world too: "I am. But there I have another name. You must learn to know me by that name. This was the very reason you were brought to Narnia, so that by knowing me here for a little, you may know me better there."
In all the previous adaptations, he's been voiced by male actors, most famously by Liam Neeson in the Walden Media movie adaptations from the 2000s, where his deep voice seemed the perfect match for the huge lion. Presumably, this change would mean Aslan will be depicted as a lioness, so minus the mane, and certainly raises some questions about how this will interfere with the allegorical aspects of C.S. Lewis's works.
There have been rumors flying around for a while now about who will be starring in the project. A casting call was put out for two children, presumably to play Polly and Diggory from The Magician's Nephew. It has also been reported that British singer Charli XCX was in talks to join in the role of Jadis, the White Witch, a prominent villain from the series. And former James Bond star Daniel Craig is reportedly being considered to play the sly, eccentric Uncle Andrew, who creates the magic rings that first allow people to travel to Narnia.
Both of these seem like odd choices for their respective roles, though it's worth noting that so far Netflix has been coy about details and hasn't officially confirmed any of these castings. But all evidence seemingly points to Greta Gerwig adapting The Magician's Nephew first. This was originally the sixth book published, but serves as a prequel to all the others and deals with the creation of Narnia, suggesting the seven-book series will be adapted chronologically.
Whether there will be any big changes to the story or narrative, or an updated setting, is not known. But with the first movie set to begin filming soon for a reported release around Thanksgiving 2026, we'll hopefully be getting some confirmation on the details soon.
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