Will Aslan Be Saved?
Door Jam: May 12, 2026
This past week, CBR ran a story with the headline: “Greta Gerwig’s Latest Narnia Casting Officially Kills a Fan-Favorite Aslan Rumor.”
The article argues that the casting of Ciarán Hinds means the Irish actor will voice Aslan, not Meryl Streep.
CBR points to his deep voice matching Lewis’ description of Aslan’s “deep and rich” tones. Hinds has also done voice acting before, bringing to life the troll king in Frozen and Steppenwolf in Justice League.
His late addition to the cast may also point to him providing Aslan’s voice. The other actors would have been on set together. Emma Mackey already said that she acted with Streep. But as a CGI character, Hinds could’ve done his work without appearing on set and without his role being leaked to the press.
I think the headline massively overstates the situation. Hinds’ casting does not “officially” kill the Streep rumor as much as it raises the possibility that it could be false.
Christian culture site, The Lion, reported on the change in theatrical strategy for Narnia, but focused on the question of Aslan’s voice actor.
I’m still holding out hope, so I’ll reach for every possible thread out there. But I don’t think we can make any pronouncements yet. No outlets with direct sources on the production have mentioned Hinds as Aslan yet. And the rumors of Streep as Aslan spread for a reason.
One conspiracy theory that has been floated is that the “Streep as Aslan” rumor was released intentionally as a false rumor. Gerwig and Netflix knew the backlash to it would be overwhelming and would allow other changes to be mostly overlooked.
When it was eventually revealed that the rumor was not true, people would be less upset about other narrative and character changes, like placing the story in the 1950s instead of the 1900s and having a black actor and actress play King Frank and Queen Helen.
Those are certainly less disruptive to the story, both within The Magician’s Nephew and the series as a whole, than Aslan as a lioness. So, I can see that type of PR play working to counteract criticism, some of which may be disingenuous. But it’s also risky, as it could alienate fans and potential moviegoers before you have time to reveal the rumor as false.
But, if it was an intentionally false rumor, I guess it worked on me because I’d pretty much take any of the other changes if it meant we weren’t getting a Streep-voiced Aslan.
Not Safe But Good
C.S. Lewis quote of the week
The books or the music in which we thought the beauty was located will betray us if we trust to them; it was not in them, it only came through them, and what came through them was longing.
The Weight of Glory (And Other Addresses)
The Problem of Printers
Bad C.S. Lewis book covers
This isn’t a “bad” cover, but it is a representation of the wild interpretations artists have for the creatures and visuals in the Ransom trilogy. Do you have a favorite trilogy cover art?
Behind the Wardrobe
Sneak peek at the bonus articles
More reporting and rumors on Netflix moving Narnia to theaters
Lewis encouraging us to embrace the “edge”
Andy Serkis on his upcoming Lord of the Rings movie
Stephen Colbert on his upcoming Lord of the Rings movie
Inspiration behind Tolkien’s landscapes
And more!
