Aslan Controversy Spreads

Door Jam: April 22, 2025

The Door Jam is a place to squeeze in articles about C.S. Lewis and J.R.R. Tolkien, their work, adaptations of their fantasy worlds, news from other franchises, and interesting articles. Unless otherwise stated, I’m not endorsing (or criticizing) any of these but merely sharing them with you.

Three weeks after the rumor broke that Meryl Streep was being considered for Aslan, people are still angry about that possibility, and the anger has spread outside of fandom circles.

Not everything that uses the name of Aslan is actually Aslan. Pauline Baynes illustration

In case you thought the furor surrounding the potential of a female Aslan in the upcoming Narnia movie had died down, think again. While many fans and experts remain disappointed (at best) about the possible move, myself included, this has also moved beyond that realm to outlets that focus on political controversies.

If you’d like to read more backlash (and a rare defense), here are some of the latest articles. Some quote my first piece on the topic.¹

• Netflix Casts Meryl Streep as Aslan? It Doesn’t Have to Be This Way — MovieGuide

• ‘A False Aslan’: Narnia Fans Outraged as Meryl Streep Reportedly ‘in Talks’ to Voice Christ Figure — CBN

• Taming Aslan: Why Hollywood Can’t Handle the Real Christ — The Blaze

• Narnia’s Rich Allegory Would Be Impossible With Meryl Streep As Aslan — The Federalist

• Could Meryl Streep Crush ‘Narnia’ Reboot? — Hollywood in Toto

• Star Director Greta Gerwig Accused of Anti-Christian Bias for Eyeing Meryl Streep To Play the Male Lion Aslan in Netflix ‘Narnia’ Film — New York Sun

• In Greta Gerwig’s Narnia, God Is a Woman and the Usual Suspects Are Fuming — But Meryl Streep’s Aslan Is Exactly What the Fantasy Franchise Needs — Collider

I’d prefer this not become another in a long, forgettable line of cultural controversies du jour. Not because I believe a female Aslan would be an acceptable decision, but because Greta Gerwig and Netflix executives are more likely to dismiss criticisms if they primarily see them as coming from individuals and outlets that are perpetually outraged.

As is often the case with those chasing outrage-based engagement, I’ve seen numerous comments that include factual errors and misunderstandings of Lewis’ work and the current situation. I want all the criticism levied at this potential move to be fact-based and primarily concerned with making the best Narnia adaptation, not focused on drawing more attention for themselves or their website.

My hope remains that Gerwig and Netflix create a Narnia movie that stays true to the heart of what Lewis wrote. I don’t know if everyone wading into this controversy shares that goal. Many seem to live for conflict and these types of cultural clashes.

There is an audience for a faithful (even if it’s not a strict) adaptation of C.S. Lewis’ work. I’m not sure how much of an audience there will be for an adaptation that runs contrary to Lewis’ intentions and perspective.

It’s worth noting that several movies targeted at a similar audience to Narnia exceeded box office projections over the past couple of weeks. The animated story of Jesus’ life The King of Kings finished second last week and third this weekend. Also, last weekend, two cinematic releases of Chosen episodes were in the top 10 (nos. 3 and 7). This week, three Chosen movies were in the top 20 (nos. 9, 15, and 16). Those don’t have nearly the box office potential as Narnia.

I hope Gerwig sees the artistic value in hewing close to Lewis’ vision for Narnia. If that doesn’t work, I hope Netflix at least sees the monetary value in it.

Not Safe But Good

C.S. Lewis quote of the week

I believe in Christianity as I believe that the sun has risen, not only because I see it, but because by it I see everything else.

“Is Theology Poetry” from The Weight of Glory

Tumnus’ bookshelf

A book by or about C.S. Lewis

God in the Dock is my favorite Lewis essay collection, but I’d forgotten how many great addresses-turned-essays are included in The Weight of Glory. The title essay alone makes the book worth it, but it also includes “Is Theology Poetry,” “The Inner Ring,” “Transposition,” “Learning in War-Time,” and more.

Behind the Wardrobe

Sneak peek at the bonus articles for paid subscribers

Paid subscribers will see a heartwarming testimony of someone drawn to Lewis and Tolkien before they’d heard of Jesus, the original Narnia film wins a fan-voted contest, an exploration of Narnia-themed cabins for rent near Lewis’ home, a literary history of dragons and Tolkien’s influence on their modern depiction, the spiritual message of The Lord of the Rings, updates on the next movie set in Middle-earth, new Star Wars movies, and confirmation of new versions of Goonies, Gremlins, The Matrix and more.