Liam Neeson reacts to Meryl Streep replacing him as Aslan in ‘Narnia’

Greta Gerwig drew inspiration from David Bowie when shaping Aslan’s appearance and personality

Liam Neeson has praised Meryl Streep’s casting as Aslan in Greta Gerwig’s upcoming Narnia film, describing her as an outstanding choice for the role he previously voiced in the original trilogy.

However, the actor admitted he had no idea Gerwig was making a new adaptation of the fantasy series until he was told about it during a recent interview with ScreenRant.

When asked about Streep taking over the role and whether he had seen the trailer, Neeson appeared surprised. “I’m sorry, this is news to me,” he said.

The interviewer then explained that Streep would voice Aslan, the mythical lion who creates the world of Narnia. Neeson responded with praise for the casting, saying, “Meryl is playing Jesus Christ? Well, if you’re going to make Christ a lady, nobody better than Meryl.”

Watch Liam Neeson learn about Meryl Streep voicing Aslan in Greta Gerwig's new Narnia adaptation in real time! 🦁 pic.twitter.com/fgPmvtyPE8

— ScreenRant (@screenrant) November 4, 2026

Streep has been cast as Aslan in Narnia: The Magician’s Nephew, which is being directed by Gerwig. The character is a central figure in the fantasy world created by author CS Lewis and is frequently interpreted as a representation of Jesus Christ.

Gerwig previously explained her reasoning behind choosing Streep in an interview with Empire. She wanted an actor with gravitas, emotional depth and a sense of wonder, describing her ideal performer as someone older than 70 who could still communicate the curiosity of a child.

The filmmaker also revealed that David Bowie influenced the appearance and overall spirit of her version of Aslan. The character reportedly features multicoloured eyes and a red-striped face.

Narnia: The Magician’s Nephew is scheduled to arrive in cinemas on February 12, 2027, before becoming available on Netflix on April 2.

Neeson voiced Aslan in the original The Chronicles of Narnia film trilogy, beginning with The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe in 2005. His latest comments offer an approving reaction to Streep’s casting, despite his initial surprise about the project.