Liam Neeson had no idea Netflix was rebooting Narnia, let alone that Meryl Streep would replace him as the voice of Aslan. His reaction to the news, including a stunned reference to the lion’s Christlike role in C.S. Lewis’ books, has now made headlines.
Liam Neeson just found out Meryl Streep is playing Aslan in new Narnia movie
Neeson voiced Aslan in the three Narnia films of the 2010s, but the upcoming adaptation, Narnia: The Magician’s Nephew, was completely off his radar. When ScreenRant asked the Oscar nominee about the recently released trailer, Neeson replied, “I’m sorry, this is news to me.”
The interviewer then revealed that Meryl Streep is taking over the role. Neeson then asked, “Meryl is playing Jesus Christ?” After confirming that the character remains Aslan, he added, “Well, if you’re going to make Christ a lady, nobody better than Meryl.”
The connection is not random. The Narnia books are heavily allegorical, drawing on Christian imagery, with Aslan representing the incarnation of Jesus Christ. Streep’s casting has already generated backlash, though C.S. Lewis’ remaining family has voiced support for the new adaptation.
At Comic Con Brussels, Neeson’s former costar Anna Popplewell, who played Susan Pevensie, said she’s already watched the trailer and called it “really exciting,” adding that she “can’t wait to watch it.” Neeson now appears to share that curiosity, even if the news reached him last.
Neeson then asked who was directing the film. Upon hearing Greta Gerwig’s name, he simply said, “Okay. Wow!” The Magician’s Nephew, the first one in Netflix’s reboot, will hit theaters on February 12, 2027.
The cast features David McKenna as Digory, Beatrice Campbell as Polly, Emma Mackey as Jadis, Daniel Craig as Uncle Andrew, and Carey Mulligan as Flora. A recently released trailer, set to “Led Zeppelin’s ‘Stairway to Heaven,’” teased Gerwig’s take on the story.
Fans now await just like predecessors, how will Meryl Streep’s Arslan play out.
