Several months ago, Netflix announced it would be producing its own interpretation of the Narnia franchise, set to be directed by Greta Gerwig. Avid fans of the series voiced their suspicions about how the company would interpret the books, beloved for their overtly Christian themes. Sure enough, skeptics had their fears actualized when they learned Meryl Streep is being considered for the role of Aslan.
Netflix’s new Narnia films are expected to be an extension of the existing films’ universe and will reportedly begin with an adaptation of the series’ sixth book, The Magician’s Nephew. It is the chronological start of the Narnia story, making it ripe for a reboot of the otherwise finished film franchise.
Aslan is a key figure in C.S. Lewis’ original The Magician’s Nephew book, as he serves as the creator of Narnia. Fans of the original Narnia films came to know Aslan through his portrayal by Liam Neeson. Despite the hulking creature being fully animated, Neeson’s voice brought the beloved character to life through a compassionate, wise vocal performance that matched the tone of Lewis’ original vision.
Aslan’s presence throughout the Narnia series is meant to be profound. By pairing imagination with faithfulness to Scripture, Lewis sought to create an allegory for the Bible that could be easily understood and loved by children and adults alike. Central to the story was Aslan, who serves as a symbol for Christ. He is the tale’s moral backbone, a humble mentor who sacrifices himself to save those he loves. In both the book and movie adaptation of The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe, Aslan allows himself to be killed so he may save Edmund, a young boy who betrayed the entire kingdom of Narnia by siding with the evil White Witch. Aslan is the physical embodiment of strength and mercy, two things Hollywood seems to hate.
Although Streep has not yet been officially cast as Aslan, the studio’s consideration of her for the role shows, at best, a misunderstanding of Narnia and, at worst, disdain for what it represents.
Lewis’ series is meant to be a fable, yet it serves as an access point for people to understand the core principles of Christianity. It displays the virtuous nature of the land’s savior, Aslan, in context with the silly, imperfect children he protects. It is a way for readers to familiarize themselves with Christian teachings that may feel foreign or confusing, and it helps people understand Christ as a personal, known, and named Savior. Thus, attempts to change Lewis’ simple and deliberate allegory for the Son of God feel like an attack on the Gospel itself.
Streep’s casting would substitute Aslan’s distinct masculinity for a softer, feminine version of the character, even if Hollywood attempts to blur the differences with special effects and CGI. But male sacrifice is intrinsically different from female sacrifice because the two sexes have separate, God-given strengths and weaknesses. Aslan laying down his life to save Edmund and the whole of Narnia carries more weight when his innate mightiness is factored in. It represents his willingness to give up his dignity, pride, and greatness to benefit those who have betrayed him. This heart-wrenching moment in the Narnia series helps audiences understand the depths of Christ’s love. By portraying Aslan as a female, Hollywood would fundamentally alter the meaning of this sacrifice.
On an even more basic level, the truth that the sexes are distinct is fundamental to Christianity — not just in the Garden of Eden but in God’s design for marriage to depict Christ, the self-sacrificial bridegroom, and the church, His beloved bride. In that way, it’s anti-Christian to feminize the voice of the Christ character. Plopping Streep into the role of Aslan wrongly suggests men and women can be swapped in and out without consequence.
Netflix’s Narnia reboot appears to be setting up audiences for a bogus bait and switch, luring Christians with the promise of a beloved biblical allegory but then threatening to disgrace the Christ-like figure with warped casting choices. Hollywood can pretend identity politics and so-called “gender equality” matter more than fidelity to its source material, Lewis, and Lewis’ source material, Scripture. But if it follows through on the character sex swap, the point of the departure will be clear: We want none of your Christianity here.
Brooke Brandtjen is a writer and journalist from Wisconsin who focuses primarily on culture, politics, and religion. She is extremely passionate about the arts and history, and is honored to write for a variety of distinguished publications.
Jesus Christ is King
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