Liam Neeson Reacts to Meryl Streep Replacing Him as Aslan in New ‘Narnia’ Movie
For a generation of moviegoers, Liam Neeson was the voice of Aslan. He voiced the great lion in all 3 Walden Media ‘Chronicles of Narnia’ films, ‘The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe’, ‘Prince Caspian’ and ‘The Voyage of the Dawn Treader’, released between 2005 and 2010.
Now the franchise is getting a new start under Greta Gerwig. ‘Narnia: The Magician’s Nephew’, which Gerwig wrote and directed for Netflix, adapts C.S. Lewis’ 1955 novel and brings a new Aslan with it.
That new Aslan is Meryl Streep, and Neeson only just found out. In an interview with Screen Rant, Neeson was asked whether he had seen the trailer for the new ‘Narnia’ film, and he said the news was new to him.
When the interviewer told him that Streep was taking over the role, Neeson asked whether she was playing Jesus Christ, a nod to Aslan’s long-standing reading as a Christ figure in Lewis’ books. He then joked that if they were going to make Christ a lady, there was nobody better than Meryl.
Liam Neeson just found out a new ‘Narnia’ film is releasing with Meryl Streep playing Aslan 🦁 "Meryl Streep is playing Jesus Christ? … Well if you’re gonna make Christ a lady, nobody better than Meryl" (via @Screenrant) https://t.co/okzgQFtdZG
— Culture Crave 🍿 (@CultureCrave) November 5, 2026
According to several outlets, Neeson was clearly stunned at first before chuckling and giving his blessing. Screen Rant shared the exchange on social media on November 4, and Culture Crave also highlighted it.
The moment drew a range of reactions online. Tbreak notes that some viewers read Neeson’s smile as forced, while others praised his diplomacy. The 2 actors also share history. NarniaWeb notes that Neeson and Streep co-starred in ‘Before and After’ and remain close friends, which may explain the warmth of his reaction.
A Universe Begins. See how Narnia was created in Narnia: The Magician’s Nephew, a film by Greta Gerwig – only in theaters February 12. https://t.co/jwxksCL0N7
— Netflix (@netflix) October 13, 2026
Streep was first reported to be in talks to voice Aslan in April 2025, and her casting has since been confirmed. Several outlets report that Gerwig wanted an actor over 70 for the role. Gerwig and Streep have worked together before on 2019’s ‘Little Women’. That history made Streep a natural choice for Gerwig as she reimagines the series’ most iconic character.
Gerwig has described her take on ‘Narnia’ as a rock opera. David Bowie reportedly inspired the lion’s look, and the first trailer, set to Led Zeppelin’s ‘Stairway to Heaven’, shows Aslan forming out of cosmic dust.
Director Greta Gerwig breaks down the trailer for Narnia: The Magician’s Nephew and teases what audiences can expect to see on the big screen. https://t.co/DvsdXkfzwR
— Netflix (@netflix) October 16, 2026
The cast includes Emma Mackey as Jadis, the future White Witch, along with Carey Mulligan as Mabel Kirke and Daniel Craig as Andrew Ketterley. Newcomers David McKenna and Beatrice Campbell lead the film as Digory Kirke and Polly Plummer.
Principal photography began on August 11, 2025, with location work in London and Manchester and set filming at Shepperton Studios and Longcross Studios. Production wrapped on January 31, 2026.
First look at Aslan in Greta Gerwig’s ‘NARNIA’ movie. Voiced by Meryl Streep. (Source: @empiremagazine) https://t.co/LGlALgofRV
— DiscussingFilm (@DiscussingFilm) September 17, 2026
The film was originally set to debut in IMAX over Thanksgiving 2026 but has since moved. It now opens in theaters on February 12, 2027, with IMAX previews on February 10, and arrives on Netflix on April 2.
Gerwig is contracted to write and direct at least 2 ‘Narnia’ films, according to Comic Basics. ‘The Magician’s Nephew’ tells the first story in the series’ chronology, setting the stage for a new generation of adventures. For longtime fans, Neeson’s reaction offers a gracious handoff between 2 eras of Aslan. With his blessing secured, Streep now takes on the role he made famous.
What do you think of Meryl Streep taking over as Aslan in Greta Gerwig's Narnia?
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