Dhaka:The casting of Meryl Streep to voice Aslan in Greta Gerwig's adaptation of The Chronicles of Narnia has stirred debate among conservative Christian critics. They express concern over a female actor portraying Aslan, a character originally depicted as male by C.S. Lewis, who is seen as a representation of Jesus Christ.
According to United News of Bangladesh, Critics argue that altering Aslan's gender challenges traditional Christian symbols, citing biblical references to God as male. An article by Seth Udinsky on the Christian Post accused Gerwig of undermining Christian symbols and suggested that promotional images with rainbow-colored whiskers imply a transgender portrayal.
Greta Gerwig has not directly addressed the controversy but mentioned her desire for an actor with depth and wisdom for Aslan's voice. She sought someone who could convey profound emotions and retain childlike wonder.
Ted Baehr from Movieguide questioned the casting's alignment with Christian teachings. He emphasized the deep connection many Christians have with Lewis's work, noting its parallels with biblical stories.
Despite the criticism, some scholars and Lewis admirers advocate for reserving judgment until the film's release. Christin Ditchfield Lazo pointed out that gender-swapping in voice acting is not uncommon and urged audiences to differentiate between voice casting and character gender changes.
The family of Lewis's late wife, Joy Davidman Gresham, along with the C.S. Lewis Company, have expressed support for Gerwig's vision and enthusiasm for the project. The film, set for release in February, aims to capture the essence of Lewis's magical world.