Meryl Streep's casting as Aslan sparks debate over Narnia film

The casting of Meryl Streep to voice Aslan in Greta Gerwig’s upcoming Netflix adaptation of ‘The Chronicles of Narnia: The Magician’s Nephew’ has sparked debate among conservative Christian commentators.

In the original books by C. S. Lewis, Aslan is a male lion who serves as a literary representation of Jesus Christ. Critics, including columnist Seth Udinsky of the Christian Post, have expressed concern that casting a female actor for the role could subvert Christian symbols. Some critics have pointed to promotional imagery featuring rainbow-tinted whiskers as evidence of a shift in the character's identity.

While the casting does not explicitly confirm the character will be depicted as female, the decision has drawn scrutiny from religious groups who view the portrayal of a Christ-like figure as a matter of faith. The production, which resets the story's timeline to the 1950s, is scheduled for theatrical release in February.