Aslan’s Design in Greta Gerwig’s ‘Narnia The Magician’s Nephew’ Pays Tribute to David Bowie

Avatar photoValentina Kraljik
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Greta Gerwig has always embraced her creative influences, and her upcoming adaptation of C.S. Lewis’s cherished fantasy world is no different. As more details emerge about ‘Narnia: The Magician’s Nephew,’ fans are buzzing over Gerwig’s bold reimagining of one of literature’s most iconic characters.

That character is Aslan, the majestic cosmic lion central to Lewis’s Narnia saga, whose voice has been officially confirmed to be Meryl Streep after much speculation. Gerwig’s interpretation of Aslan departs visually from all previous adaptations, with the reasoning rooted in one of her personal artistic inspirations.

According to Empire, Aslan’s design in Gerwig’s film features heterochromic eyes and a striking red-striped face, a deliberate homage to David Bowie, one of the director’s key creative influences. This design gives the character a unique, almost otherworldly look that distinctly sets it apart from Liam Neeson’s more traditional lion portrayal in the earlier Walden Media film series.

Gerwig has openly discussed her casting choices, emphasizing the need for gravitas over mere seriousness. “I wanted someone who was profound but not pretentious, who had gravitas but not morose self-seriousness,” Gerwig shared with Empire. “Someone who could convey depth and pathos as well as joy and delight. I wanted someone older than 70, so there was a wisdom of experience, but who also possessed a childlike capacity for wonder. And also to be one of the greatest actors to ever do it. That list is not a long one.”

This blend of gravitas and childlike wonder seems to have influenced not only the casting but also Aslan’s visual design. The Bowie-inspired look introduces a layer of theatrical androgyny that diverges from Aslan’s traditional depiction as a straightforwardly majestic, masculine lion.

Streep’s casting also marks a reunion with Gerwig, who previously collaborated with her on the acclaimed 2019 adaptation of ‘Little Women.’ This prior partnership adds a layer of creative trust, suggesting Gerwig had a specific vision in mind when casting such a symbolically significant role.

The image revealed on an exclusive Empire subscriber cover, created by concept artist Jaime Jones, showcases Aslan in the act of creating Narnia, gazing directly into the camera with its striking mismatched eyes prominently displayed. This cover provides the most detailed glimpse yet at how Gerwig’s adaptation intends to visually differentiate itself from all previous versions of the story.

‘Narnia: The Magician’s Nephew’ adapts the sixth book Lewis wrote in the series but is the first chronologically, marking the initial screen adaptation of that particular story. The film follows Digory Kirke and Polly Plummer, portrayed by newcomers David McKenna and Beatrice Campbell, alongside a cast that includes Emma Mackey as the White Witch Jadis, Carey Mulligan, Daniel Craig, and Ciarán Hinds.

Given the story’s focus on the actual creation of Narnia, well before any of Aslan’s other appearances in the series, some fans have already pointed to this specific timeline placement as a potential justification for such a dramatic visual reinvention of the character.

‘Narnia: The Magician’s Nephew’ is set to premiere in theaters worldwide on February 12, 2027, before streaming on Netflix starting April 2. With Aslan’s design now revealed and Streep’s casting confirmed, fans have much to discuss in the months leading up to the film’s release.

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