In a move that sent the internet abuzz, Deadline confirmed a previous rumor that actress Meryl Streep is being considered to voice Aslan in Greta Gerwig’s upcoming Chronicles of Narnia film, which will be released in theaters prior to streaming on Netflix. It’s a controversial move, given that the male lion Aslan is the Christ figure of the popular series. He was previously voiced by actor Liam Neeson through all three films of the previous Chronicles of Narnia films by Disney. Other casting decisions include Charlie XCX as Jadis, better known as the White Witch, and Daniel Craig as Uncle Andrew. Although it has not been confirmed, the inclusion of casting Uncle Andrew hints that Gerwig is adapting The Magician’s Nephew, which is the first book chronologically in the series, although it was published sixth in the series.

ScreenRant admitted the difficulties of casting Aslan as a female. “With Aslan taking on the form of a male lion in the books, and male actors voicing him in previous adaptations, casting Streep would be a significant divergence from how the character had previously been depicted. Gender-swapping characters is not uncommon, especially when longtime franchises seek to reinvent themselves. In this case, gender-swapping Aslan is more complicated, though, as the character is an allegory for Christ.” However, ScreenRant stated such a change would help the new films helmed by Gerwig to avoid being a “retread” of the Disney films. “Having Streep voice Aslan bodes well for the new movies’ ability to take a creative approach that feels equally unique and meaningful,” it concluded.

Many on the internet were quick to criticize the move. “Narnia is a story written by a Christian author with deep themes tied to his faith. Aslan the Lion was meant to be portrayal of what Jesus would be like. Turning him into a woman is just wrong. Hollywood would once again be trying to make Christian art woke. Stop it @netflix,” wrote Robby Starbuck. “Aslan is a representation of the Lion of Judah, Jesus Christ. Aslan is a male. Please Hollywood, stop rewriting history, dishonoring lore & disrespecting the Christian faith…” wrote Jon Root. Narnia Web noted that such a change would impact the imagery of the Aslan’s mane, which is cut off in a pivotal scene. While acknowledging that in some very rare cases a female lion can have a mane, a female Aslan would more than likely not have one. “There is of course a certain irony in the director of any Narnia adaptation coming to embody the actions of its primary villain by quite literally depriving Aslan of his mane, but there are also significant cinematic ramifications as well,” Narnia Web noted. The mane also plays a key part in the prophecy that is fulfilled in The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe. “As well as the pure symbolism of these moments, they also make for great cinematic visuals which are rich with emotion,” wrote Narnia Web. “By having a mane-less Aslan, you needlessly deprive yourself of these intimate and visually compelling character moments.”