Empire magazine revealed on Thursday the first official image of Aslan in Narnia: The Magician's Nephew, the ambitious film with which Netflix and Greta Gerwig are looking to bring the fantastical universe created by C. S. Lewis back to the big screen. The major news is that the mythical lion will be voiced by Meryl Streep.
The image is part of the new promotional phase for the film, which will arrive in theaters in 2027. For Gerwig, the project also marks a return to a story that has accompanied her since childhood.
The director of Barbie (2023) and Lady Bird will be responsible for writing and directing this new adaptation, which aims to present a refreshed version of Narnia.
Meryl Streep will voice Aslan
The iconic villain of The Devil Wears Prada joins the film's cast to lend her voice to Aslan, the mythical lion of Narnia, who in the previous film adaptations of the saga was voiced by Liam Neeson.
"I wanted someone deep but not pretentious, with presence but without an air of solemnity. Someone who could convey depth and emotion, as well as joy and delight," Gerwig told Empire about her choice of Streep for the role.
She also added that "I wanted someone over 70, with the wisdom that comes from experience, but also with a childlike sense of wonder. And who would be one of the greatest actresses of all time. The list isn't very long."
A story that tells the origin of Narnia
Unlike the films that reached theaters between 2005 and 2010, this new production does not begin with The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe. Gerwig chose to adapt The Magician's Nephew, a novel originally published in 1955 that tells how the connection between our world and Narnia began.
The story follows Digory and Polly, two children who discover the ability to travel between different worlds. Through that adventure they arrive in a Narnia still taking shape and witness its creation.
The cast is led by young actors David McKenna and Beatrice Campbell, joined by Emma Mackey, Carey Mulligan, Ciarán Hinds, Daniel Craig, Denise Gough, Kobna Holdbrook-Smith, and Susan Wokoma, in addition to Streep.
The lion will have different-colored eyes and striking red stripes on its face, details inspired by David Bowie, one of Gerwig's main artistic references for this film. The musician's influence also runs through the director's overall vision, as she imagined a Narnia with a strong imprint of rock music from the 1960s and 70s.
The original soundtrack will be composed by Mark Ronson and Andrew Wyatt, who previously worked with Gerwig on Barbie.
When does Narnia premiere
Netflix is planning an unusual release strategy for the film. Narnia: The Magician's Nephew will arrive in cinemas first, with special IMAX screenings beginning February 10, 2027, and its worldwide theatrical release is scheduled for February 12.
After its theatrical run, the film will be available on Netflix from April 2, 2027. In this way, the platform aims to ensure that the return of Narnia has a cinematic scale before it is added to its catalog.
