Original Chronicles Of Narnia Actor Was Completely Unaware Of Greta Gerwig's Upcoming Reboot

EXCLUSIVE: One of the most important members of the previous Chronicles of Narnia cast was surprised to learn about the forthcoming rock opera adaptation.

Narnia: The Magician’s Nephew, directed by Greta Gerwig and the first installment in Netflix’s reboot of the seminal fantasy book series, will hit theaters early next year. A first trailer was recently released, teasing Gerwig’s interpretation of The Magician’s Nephew and the new version of the great lion Aslan, accompanied by the soundtrack choice of “Stairway to Heaven.”

In the three Narnia movies from the 2010s, Aslan is iconically voiced by Liam Neeson. Surprisingly, in an interview with ScreenRant‘s Liam Crowley, Neeson said that a new Narnia movie “is news to [him].” Crowley then clarified that Meryl Streep is taking on Neeson’s old role, with Gerwig as the director, which impressed the Oscar nominee. Check out Neeson’s full comments below:

SR: Liam, you had mentioned 106 films in your career. My first introduction to your work was not your face; it was actually your voice, when you voiced Aslan in the Chronicles of Narnia films. Now that Narnia is back in the news cycle, we’re getting a new interpretation next year, have you had a chance to check out the trailer? What does it feel like to now have people revisiting that franchise on the big screen?

LN: I’m sorry, this is news to me.

SR: The new Narnia?

LN: Yeah.

SR: Well, I’m grateful to be the one to break it to you. Meryl Streep is taking on Aslan this time around.

LN: Meryl is playing Jesus Christ?

SR: She is.

LN: Well, if you’re going to make Christ a lady, nobody better than Meryl. Who’s directing it?

SR: Greta Gerwig.

LN: Okay. Wow.

SR: Liam, you had mentioned 106 films in your career. My first introduction to your work was not your face; it was actually your voice, when you voiced Aslan in the Chronicles of Narnia films. Now that Narnia is back in the news cycle, we’re getting a new interpretation next year, have you had a chance to check out the trailer? What does it feel like to now have people revisiting that franchise on the big screen?

SR: Well, I’m grateful to be the one to break it to you. Meryl Streep is taking on Aslan this time around.

LN: Well, if you’re going to make Christ a lady, nobody better than Meryl. Who’s directing it?

The Narnia books are heavily allegorical, drawing upon Christian imagery and themes, with Aslan serving as the incarnation of Jesus Christ in this world. Streep’s casting generated backlash, but C.S. Lewis’ remaining family has expressed support for the new Narnia adaptation. Those familiar with the books know that Aslan’s depiction is just one of many creative liberties Gerwig has taken with the story.

Though it was not the first Narnia book published, The Magician’s Nephew is chronologically first in the series. It follows the adventures of two English children, Polly and Digory, who are tricked into going to another world by Digory’s uncle Andrew, where they find and accidentally awaken Jadis, the future White Witch. The main cast eventually winds up in an empty world, where they witness Narnia’s creation.

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