Liam Neeson was unaware that Meryl Streep will voice Aslan in Greta Gerwig’s adaptation of C.S. Lewis’ The Magician’s Nephew until he was told during a November 3 interview with ScreenRant. Neeson voiced the lion in the original Narnia film trilogy.
When the interviewer shared the news, Neeson replied, “I’m sorry — this is news to me.” After learning that Streep would take on the role, he asked, “Meryl is playing Jesus Christ?” He added that if the character was going to be played by a woman, “nobody better than Meryl.”
Gerwig’s film is described in the source as a rock opera-style take on the Narnia prequel. The casting news and Neeson’s surprised response drew attention online, with viewers offering differing interpretations of his reaction: some saw it as forced enthusiasm, while others praised his diplomatic answer.
The Magician’s Nephew is scheduled to arrive in theaters on February 12, 2027.
Sources: IGN.