In the enchanting land of Narnia, where mythical creatures roam and magic whispers through the air, fans are on high alert as a shocking rumor has sent shockwaves through the fantasy community. The beloved classic, ‘The Chronicles of Narnia,’ is set to receive a dramatic makeover, with none other than Oscar-winning actress Meryl Streep reportedly in talks to voice the iconic role of Aslan – the majestic, lion-like Christ figure at the heart of the story. This development has left fans reeling, with many wondering how the timeless tale will be reimagined with such a legendary actress at the helm. As the fantasy world grapples with this unexpected twist, one question looms large: will Meryl Streep’s Aslan be the savior of Narnia, or a jarring departure from the beloved classic?
The Controversy Surrounding Meryl Streep as Aslan
The news of Meryl Streep being in talks to voice Aslan the Great Lion in Greta Gerwig’s upcoming Netflix adaptation of the “Chronicles of Narnia” has sparked outrage among Narnia fans. Since Aslan represents Jesus Christ, many fans of the Christian-allegory series are not happy about it.
The Backlash: Narnia Fans React to Streep’s Potential Casting
The backlash against Streep’s potential casting has been swift and strong. Many fans have taken to social media and news outlets to express their disapproval of the choice. According to Katy Faust of Blaze Media, “This isn’t just about Narnia — it’s about Christ… Tampering with Aslan is an attempt to tamper with Christ.”
Blogger Annie Crawford of Salvo writes, “To change the gender of The Lion, of The King, of the Incarnate Son of the Emperor Across the Sea who symbolically represents the deity of Christ within Lewis’s imaginary world is to completely alter the structure and meaning of Lewis’s sacramental cosmos.”
Others have suggested alternative actors who would be better suited for the role. Jason Rantz of 770KTTH suggests, “Liam Neeson already played a brilliant Aslan. Morgan Freeman has already played G-d. Jared Leto looks like the Historical Jesus. Book one of them.”
The Significance of Aslan: Why Fans Are So Protective of the Character
Aslan is a central character in the Chronicles of Narnia series, and his representation of Jesus Christ is a crucial aspect of the story. Fans are protective of the character because they believe that altering his character would alter the symbolism and meaning of the story.
As C.S. Lewis himself wrote, Aslan is not just a charming character or a clever literary device, but a representation of Jesus Christ. Therefore, tampering with Aslan’s character is seen as tampering with Christ.
The Implications of Changing Aslan’s Gender
Changing Aslan’s gender would have significant implications for the story and its symbolism. It would alter the structure and meaning of Lewis’s sacramental cosmos, as Annie Crawford writes.
Fans believe that altering Aslan’s gender would be a false representation of Christ, and therefore, a false Narnia. As the petition on Change.org states, “Make no mistake, an altered Aslan is a false Aslan. A false Aslan is a false Narnia. The integrity of the character must be preserved at all cost.”
The Integrity of the Character and the Story
The controversy surrounding Meryl Streep’s potential casting as Aslan highlights the importance of preserving the integrity of the character and the story. Fans believe that altering Aslan’s character would alter the symbolism and meaning of the story.
Preserving the Original Intent: Why Aslan’s Gender Matters
Aslan’s gender is a crucial aspect of the character and the story. Altering it would alter the original intent of C.S. Lewis, who explicitly stated that Aslan represents Jesus Christ.
Fans believe that preserving the original intent of the author is essential to maintaining the integrity of the story. As Aaron Earls of The Wardrobe Door writes, “Art should not be up to the popular vote, but adaptations of already existing works have to give the largest voice to the original work.”
The Consequences of Altering the Story’s Symbolism
Altering the story’s symbolism would have significant consequences for the story and its meaning. It would alter the structure and meaning of Lewis’s sacramental cosmos, as Annie Crawford writes.
Fans believe that preserving the original symbolism of the story is essential to maintaining its integrity. As the petition on Change.org states, “The integrity of the character must be preserved at all cost.”
The Importance of Staying True to C.S. Lewis’ Vision
Oscar-Award winning actress Meryl Streep is reportedly in talks to play Aslan the Great Lion in Greta Gerwig’s upcoming Netflix adaptation of the “Chronicles of Narnia.” Since Aslan represents Jesus Christ, many fans of the Christian-allegory series are not happy about it. Earlier this month, Deadline reported that Streep is being eyed for the role of Aslan. Her casting, although, has not been officially confirmed as the two parties were “not quite at the offer stage yet,” according to the outlet. But news of the idea has traveled fast, and the outrage from Narnia fans has grown with more voices speaking out on social media and news outlets, saying the choice of Streep is a bad one. “The Christian backlash…was swift and strong, and for good reason. Because this isn’t just about Narnia — it’s about Christ,” wrote Katy Faust for Blaze Media. “C.S. Lewis didn’t invent Aslan as a charming character or a clever literary device. He was explicit: Aslan is Jesus,” she continued. “Tampering with Aslan is an attempt to tamper with Christ. Aslan is getting a female makeover not to depict Christ, but to dampen Him. To make Him safer, gentler, more palatable. Doing so reflects a deeper cultural effort: the feminization of Jesus.”
Blogger Annie Crawford writes on Salvo, “…to change the gender of The Lion, of The King, of the Incarnate Son of the Emperor Across the Sea who symbolically represents the deity of Christ within Lewis’s imaginary world is to completely alter the structure and meaning of Lewis’s sacramental cosmos.”
Alternative Casting Choices and Fan Reactions
Other Actors Who Could Play Aslan: Fans Weigh In
Jason Rantz suggested a few other Hollywood actors that would be better suited for the role in an op-ed for conservative talk radio publication, 770KTTH. “Liam Neeson already played a brilliant Aslan. Morgan Freeman has already played G-d. Jared Leto looks like the Historical Jesus. Book one of them,” he said.
The Petition to “Preserve the Gender of Aslan”: What It Means
There’s even a petition on Change.org calling on Netflix to “Preserve the Gender of Aslan.” It states, “Make no mistake, an altered Aslan is a false Aslan. A false Aslan is a false Narnia. The integrity of the character must be preserved at all cost.” You can find the petition here.
The History of Narnia Adaptations and the Future of the Franchise
A Brief History of Narnia Adaptations: From Disney to Netflix
As CBN News has reported, fans have been waiting more than a decade to see if more of C.S. Lewis’ beloved books would finally be turned into movies. In 2005, Walden Media and Disney scored a box office blockbuster with a film adaptation of The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe and then Prince Caspian in 2008. Fox later released The Voyage of the Dawn Treader in 2010. In 2023, Gerwig secured the deal with the Netflix streaming platform to write and direct at least two movies from the seven-book series.
The Potential Impact of This Controversy on the Franchise’s Future
“C.S. Lewis’ beloved Chronicles of Narnia stories have resonated with generations of readers around the world,” Ted Sarandos, Netflix’s chief content officer, said in a press release at that time. “Families have fallen in love with characters like Aslan and the entire world of Narnia, and we’re thrilled to be their home for years to come.” According to the deal between Netflix and The C.S. Lewis Company, the streaming service will develop stories from the Narnia universe into series and films that the producers hope will cross mediums, similar to what the Star Trek and Marvel franchises have done with their successful properties.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the reported casting of Meryl Streep as the voice of Aslan in a potential Narnia remake has sparked outrage among fans of the beloved book series. The backlash stems from the perceived mismatch between Streep’s acting style and the character’s symbolism as a Christ figure. The controversy highlights the delicate balance between creative liberties and faithfulness to the original material, as well as the weight of responsibility that comes with adapting sacred stories.
The implications of this casting decision extend beyond the realm of entertainment, touching on the representation of religious symbolism in popular culture. Aslan’s character is deeply rooted in Christian allegory, and altering his portrayal could have far-reaching consequences for the narrative’s integrity and the audience’s emotional connection. As the entertainment industry continues to push boundaries and challenge traditional storytelling, it is essential to consider the impact of such creative choices on the cultural zeitgeist.