Liam Neeson Praises Meryl Streep As Aslan In New Narnia Film
The veteran actor learned of the casting during a recent interview and called Streep the ideal choice for the character.
By Nadia Rahman ·
Liam Neeson learned about Meryl Streep's casting as Aslan in the upcoming 'Narnia' film only after ScreenRant told him during a recent interview. The actor, who voiced the mythical lion in the original 'Chronicles of Narnia' trilogy, was initially surprised by the news. When informed that Streep would take on the role, Neeson responded with approval. He stated, 'Meryl is playing Jesus Christ? Well, if you're going to make Christ a lady, nobody better than Meryl.' Neeson noted that the character is often viewed as an incarnation of Jesus in the story.
Greta Gerwig, the director of 'Narnia: The Magician's Nephew,' explained her reasoning for the casting choice in an interview with Empire. She sought an actor who was profound without being pretentious and possessed gravitas without morose self-seriousness. Gerwig wanted a performer older than 70 who could convey the wisdom of experience alongside the fresh wonder of a child. She also insisted on selecting one of the greatest actors ever to perform the part, noting that the list of suitable candidates is short.
Gerwig cited David Bowie as an inspiration for Aslan's visual design in the new version. The character features multicolored eyes and a red-striped face. The director described the film as big and transporting, comparing the experience to a rock opera.
The film is scheduled to open in theaters on Feb. 12, 2027. It will become available for streaming on Netflix on April 2.
