Neeson Backs Streep as Aslan in Gerwig’s Narnia Film

Liam Neeson says Meryl Streep is an ideal choice to voice Aslan in Greta Gerwig’s forthcoming Narnia adaptation, though he had not heard about the project before being asked about it in a recent interview. Neeson voiced the lion in the original film trilogy.

Streep will play Aslan in Narnia: The Magician’s Nephew, which follows the creation of the fictional land. Neeson likened the character to Jesus and said that if the role was being played by a woman, Streep was the best choice.

Gerwig has described seeking an actor with gravitas and emotional depth, but also a capacity for joy and childlike wonder. She wanted someone over 70 and among the greatest actors of their generation. The director has also cited David Bowie as inspiration for Aslan’s appearance and the film’s spirit.

The adaptation, based on the sixth Narnia book but set first in the series’ chronology, is scheduled to open in theaters on February 12, 2027. It is due to arrive on Netflix on April 2.