New Narnia film leaves fans divided after main character’s gender is ‘swapped’

The upcoming Narnia movie has left fans of the original feeling divided after creators reportedly switched up the gender of one of the main characters.

Directed by Barbie creator Greta Gerwig, The Chronicles of Narnia movie has caused some controversy, after Nexus Point News reported that a particular American actress is in talks to voice Aslan in it.

According to the site, Aslan is set to be female in the Netflix film, which deviates from the original plot.

Deadline has also reported the alleged change, although the details are yet to be confirmed.

Aslan is traditionally portrayed as male (The Walt Disney Company)

The movie will adapt CS Lewis' sixth novel, The Magician's Nephew, which is chronologically the first in the series.

It tells the origin of Narnia and focuses on two children - Digory Kirke and Polly Plummer - who discover Narnia via Digory's Uncle Andrew.

In the OG books, Aslan is traditionally portrayed as a male character and an allegory for Jesus. Meanwhile, in the movies, Aslan was voiced by Liam Neeson.

However, according to reports, Mamma Mia! star Meryl Streep is in talks for the role in the upcoming flick.

People were divided by the move online, with many left unhappy over the alleged change to a beloved character.

Meryl Streep is reportedly in talks to play Aslan (Amy Sussman/Getty Images)

One person wrote on X: "Hi @CSLewis estate! Why are you allowing Netflix to make Aslan female in their Narnia series?"

While a second added: "Aslan is not a female! 'Reimagining' The Chronicles of Narnia is not a good idea. Just stop it!"

And a third said: "Leave Aslan alone. A female lion in this role is absolutely ridiculous."

However, someone else commented: "Meryl Streep as Aslan ? Say less, I'm sold."

Another praised: "Love Meryl Streep! She'll make a great Aslan."

And a final user claimed: "If Streep takes the role of Aslan, it could redefine the entire Narnia saga... exciting times ahead."

Greta Gerwig is directing the movie (Emma McIntyre/Getty Images for Academy Museum of Motion Pictures)

Gerwig previously directed Barbie which was a huge success, earning over $1.4 billion at the box office.

Meanwhile, Streep has previously starred in Gerwig's Little Women adaptation back in 2019.

Speaking about adapting Narnia, Gerwig previously told BBC Radio 4: "I’m slightly in the place of terror because I really do have such reverence for Narnia. I loved Narnia so much as a child. As an adult, C.S. Lewis is a thinker and a writer. I’m intimidated by doing this. It’s something that feels like a worthy thing to be intimidated by.

"As a non-British person, I feel a particular sense of wanting to do it correctly... It’s like when Americans do Shakespeare, there’s a slight feeling of reverence and as if maybe we should treat it with extra care. It is not our countryman."

Tyla has reached out to Netflix, as well as Gerwig and Streep's reps for comment.