Meryl Streep is reportedly in talks to voice Aslan in Greta Gerwig’s upcoming adaptation of “The Chronicles of Narnia” for Netflix. It’s absurd casting that has rightly led to controversy.
Fans are questioning the decision to cast a female actress for a male character that, as Gerwig is undoubtedly aware, was meant to be a manifestation of Jesus Christ. We get it: feminism! Or, rather, sheer laziness.
Why can’t Christ be female? Well, because he wasn’t female. And this move raises significant concerns about basic respect to C.S. Lewis’s original vision.
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Aslan—and his symbolism— is the most important piece of Narnia
Aslan is not merely a character in the Narnia series; he embodies the essence of Narnia itself.
Lewis described Aslan as the Christ of Narnia, imagining how Jesus might manifest in the fantasy world he so painstakingly created. Aslan’s male identity is integral to this portrayal, aligning with the biblical depiction of Jesus as a male figure. This connection is important for many readers who see Aslan’s actions—his sacrifice and resurrection—as a direct parallel (though no, not an allegory) to the story of Jesus Christ.
It’s why the possible casting of Streep has led to backlash among fans. Social media comments such as “Aslan is literally a male lion” and “Aslan is Jesus. Jesus was a man” reflects an accurate sentiment that Streep undermines the character’s foundational—and meaningful—symbolism.
Why wokify Narnia with Meryl Streep?
While filmmakers often take creative liberties in adaptations, there’s a fine line between reimagining a story and respecting its core elements. And this doesn’t appear to be a loosely-based version of Narnia, but a reboot (albeit a completely unnecessary one).
Gerwig claims to want to offer a bold take on Narnia while maintaining the original spirit of the books. However, altering a central character’s gender, which was integral to the book, is intentionally straying too far from the source material. And it feels like she’s trying to make a political point about female empowerment.
“Turning ‘G-d’ into a woman will surely rattle some feathers in the ‘anti-woke’ community, but it also certainly suits the pop culture-feminism throughline of Gerwig’s work thus far,” Firstpost wrote.
Will the White Witch be played by a man? Wokifying “Snow White” didn’t work. It seems foolish to do the same thing to Narnia. (Rumor mill: Charli XCX is a possible White Witch.)
It’s intentionally offensive—and lazy
While Hollywood demands inclusivity and diversity for films, this movie is intentionally superficial. In the case of Aslan, the male identity is deeply tied to his role as a Christ figure.
Liberal filmmakers think this is OK, though they would complain if a white guy played the titular role of “Aladdin.” Pick a lane.
While Meryl Streep’s acting skills are undeniable (except in “Mama Mia,” “Mama Mia 2,” and “Into the Woods”), the decision to cast her as Aslan in Gerwig’s “The Chronicles of Narnia” adaptation is silly. If there’s no respect for the integrity of C.S. Lewis’s original vision, especially given Aslan’s profound significance and symbolism, why not just write a new story? She’s hoping to profit off of the work of someone who would unlikely give a thumbs up to this gendered casting.
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.
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