Meryl Streep Confirmed as Voice of Aslan in Netflix Narnia Film

Netflix's upcoming adaptation of C.S. Lewis's "The Chronicles of Narnia" has confirmed Meryl Streep as the voice of the lion Aslan, marking the first time a woman has voiced the iconic character in a major screen version. The casting was revealed on September 17, 2026, alongside a first look at the character's new design, which features different-colored eyes and a red stripe through his fur, inspired by David Bowie. Director Greta Gerwig explained her choice in an interview with Empire Magazine, stating she sought an actor over 70 who could bring "gravitas" and "joy and delight" to the role. "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." The casting has sparked debate among fans, with some criticizing the move as a "gender-swap" of the character, who is widely viewed as an allegory for Jesus. However, the first official image depicts Aslan as a maned lion, and reporting consistently uses male pronouns for the character, indicating the change is currently limited to the voice actor rather than the character's gender identity.