Liam Neeson has given Meryl Streep his enthusiastic approval as the new voice of Aslan in Greta Gerwig’s “Narnia: The Magician’s Nephew” — although he only learned about the project and casting during a recent interview.
Neeson voiced the mythical lion throughout the original “Chronicles of Narnia” film trilogy. Asked by ScreenRant whether he had watched the trailer for Gerwig’s adaptation, the actor made clear that the entire development had escaped his attention.
“I’m sorry, this is news to me,” Neeson replied.
Once informed that Streep would be taking on Aslan, however, Neeson quickly embraced the choice. The character created the world of Narnia and is often viewed as an incarnation of Jesus, prompting a playful reaction from the actor.
“Meryl is playing Jesus Christ?” Neeson said. “Well, if you’re going to make Christ a lady, nobody better than Meryl.”
Why Gerwig Chose Streep
Gerwig has offered a detailed explanation of what she wanted from the performer voicing Aslan. In an interview with Empire, the filmmaker described searching for an actor who could bring authority and emotional weight to the character without making the performance overly solemn.
“I wanted someone who was profound but not pretentious, who had gravitas but not morose self-seriousness,” Gerwig said. “Someone who could communicate depth and pathos as well as joy and delight.”
Age and experience were also central to her thinking. Gerwig wanted the actor to be older than 70, carrying a sense of accumulated wisdom while still being capable of expressing childlike discovery.
“I wanted someone who was older than 70, so there was a wisdom of experience, but who also had the capacity of fresh wonder, like a child,” she continued. “And also to be one of the greatest actors to ever do it. That list is not a long one.”
Streep’s casting is only one part of Gerwig’s distinctive plan for Aslan. David Bowie served as an inspiration for the character’s appearance, with this version of the lion featuring multicolored eyes and a face marked by red stripes.
That Bowie influence also extends to the broader spirit of the film. Gerwig has described “The Magician’s Nephew” as “big and transporting,” adding that it carries the feeling of a “rock opera.”
ShowBiz Take
Neeson’s reaction matters because it connects two screen interpretations of the same central figure without turning the new casting into a competition. He may have been unaware that Gerwig’s film was moving forward, but his response to Streep was immediate and unequivocal.
The comments also underline just how deliberately Gerwig is reshaping Aslan for her adaptation. Her criteria went beyond finding a commanding voice: She wanted wisdom, wonder, depth, joy and a lack of self-importance in the same performance. Combined with the Bowie-inspired visual design and rock-opera sensibility, the details point to a version that is not simply attempting to replicate the Aslan Neeson previously voiced.
For now, Neeson’s surprise has produced an unexpected endorsement. The former voice of Aslan has not seen the trailer, but he has made his position on Streep clear: If the role is changing hands, he considers her exceptionally well suited to inherit it.
What Happens Next?
“Narnia: The Magician’s Nephew” is scheduled to open in theaters on Feb. 12, 2027. It will then begin streaming on Netflix on April 2.