Meryl Streep Confirmed as the Voice of Aslan in ‘Narnia The Magician’s Nephew’

Avatar photoRobert Milaković
aslan narnia
Share:

Aslan, the iconic lion from C.S. Lewis’s Chronicles of Narnia, holds immense symbolic significance, often viewed as a representation of Christ. This importance has made the casting choices for Greta Gerwig’s upcoming Netflix adaptation particularly scrutinized, especially with speculation surrounding who would voice this beloved character.

Rumors about Meryl Streep potentially voicing a reimagined, female version of Aslan in ‘Narnia: The Magician’s Nephew’ first emerged in April. This news sparked a divide among fans, with reactions ranging from excitement over the innovative choice to criticism regarding the alteration of a character deeply tied to traditional religious symbolism.

Now, those rumors have been confirmed. An exclusive cover from Empire magazine reveals Meryl Streep as the voice of Aslan, providing fans with their clearest glimpse of the majestic lion as depicted in Gerwig’s adaptation, thus putting an end to months of speculation about this pivotal role in literature.

Traditionally, Aslan has been voiced by male actors, most notably Liam Neeson in previous adaptations. Streep’s casting represents a significant shift from this norm, and the initial reactions highlighted the deep emotional investment of longtime fans in maintaining Aslan’s established characterization.

Some fans have suggested that this change fits naturally within the film’s timeline, as ‘The Magician’s Nephew’ portrays the creation of Narnia, occurring before Aslan’s other appearances. They argue that a pre-incarnation representation wouldn’t necessarily be bound by human traits like gender. Conversely, others firmly believe that altering Aslan’s identity undermines the character’s essence in Lewis’s original narrative.

Streep joins a cast that features David McKenna and Beatrice Campbell as young leads Digory Kirke and Polly Plummer, alongside Emma Mackey as the White Witch Jadis, Carey Mulligan as Digory’s mother Mabel Kirke, Ciarán Hinds, and Daniel Craig as the scheming Uncle Andrew. This ensemble has been gradually revealed since the announcement of Gerwig’s adaptation, with Mackey confirming Streep’s involvement during a March interview.

The film tells the story of two children who use magical rings to travel between worlds, inadvertently awakening the evil Queen Jadis and ultimately witnessing Aslan sing Narnia into existence. This adaptation marks the first screen portrayal of ‘The Magician’s Nephew,’ setting it apart from the more frequently adapted ‘The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe.’

Gerwig has expressed a personal connection to the material, tracing her love for the story back to her childhood. She has shared how the image of a cosmic lion bringing Narnia to life captivated her from the moment she read the book, influencing her approach to adapting it for the screen.

The production features cinematography by Seamus McGarvey and a score by Mark Ronson and Andrew Wyatt, Gerwig’s collaborators from ‘Barbie.’ Distribution duties are shared between Netflix and Sony Pictures Releasing International, with Netflix managing the U.S. and Canadian release while Sony handles international markets.

‘Narnia: The Magician’s Nephew’ is scheduled to hit theaters worldwide, including IMAX, on February 12, 2027, before streaming on Netflix starting April 2. With Streep’s casting now officially confirmed, fans eagerly await her interpretation of Aslan when the film premieres, moving beyond speculation to experience the character firsthand.

Regardless of where fans stand on this casting choice, it’s clear that ‘Narnia: The Magician’s Nephew’ has already become one of the most discussed adaptations leading into 2027.

Have something to add? Let us know in the comments.

Share: