Meryl Streep’s reported role in Netflix’s The Chronicles of Narnia eases one of my concerns, even though the casting will be controversial. The beloved Chronicles of Narnia books written 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 first Narnia movie will be released on November 26, 2026, 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 play Narnia‘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.

Part of the enduring appeal of The Chronicles of Narnia is 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 from Disney’s Chronicles of Narnia movies and 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, and The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe was a particularly strong adaptation. Netflix needs to find a way to make their adaptations feel distinct and to justify retelling the story for a reason other than Narnia being a popular IP.

Having Streep voice Aslan bodes well for the new movies’ ability to take a creative approach that feels equally unique and meaningful. From Little Women to Barbie, 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 adapting The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe, Prince Caspian, and The 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 to The Chronicles of Narnia books. 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.

If all seven Narnia books are adapted, there is potential for more than one actor to play these characters. Charli XCX could play the younger Jadis in The Magician’s Nephew, while an older actor plays the character in The 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’s The Chronicles of Narnia will hopefully find a way to achieve the necessary balance.

The Chronicles of Narnia

Created by

C.S. Lewis

First Film

The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe

Latest Film

The Chronicles of Narnia: The Voyage of the Dawn Treader

First TV Show

The Chronicles of Narnia

First Episode Air Date

November 13, 1988

Summary

The Chronicles of Narnia is a fantasy franchise based on the seven-book series written by C.S. Lewis between 1950 and 1956. The series is set in the magical world of Narnia, where children from our world are transported to fulfill prophecies, battle evil forces, and restore peace under the guidance of Aslan, a mystical lion. The franchise has seen multiple adaptations, including a BBC television series in the late 1980s, three major Hollywood films between 2005 and 2010, and an upcoming reboot by Netflix, which has generated significant anticipation. The franchise is beloved for its rich allegorical storytelling, blending Christian themes with epic fantasy elements.

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