C.S. Lewis’ Family ‘Very Upset’ Over Meryl Streep as Aslan, Ted Baehr Says

Television

Among America’s primary specialists on faith and home entertainment states C.S. Lewis’ household is dissatisfied with Greta Gerwig’s choice to offer Aslan a female voice in her approaching Narnia motion picture, stating the casting raises severe doctrinal issues since Lewis planned the cherished lion to represent Christ.

Movieguide’s Ted Baehr made the remarks in an interview with CBN’s Billy Hallowell today, days after it was validated that Meryl Streep would represent Aslan the lion in the Netflix movie “Narnia: The Magician’s Nephew,” which is arranged to open in theaters in February.

Gerwig (“Barbie,” “Little Women”is directing it.

“C.S. Lewis would be turning over his tomb,” Baehr stated“His household is mad about it, and I believe we need to be disturbed about it.”

Baehr stated he went to Australia just recently and stuck with Tim Gresham, C.S. Lewis’ step-grandson, in Sydney. Baehr is likewise pals with Douglas Gresham, Tim’s daddy and Lewis’ stepson.

“They’re really worried about it due to the fact that they’re fretted that it’s going to damage the brand name,” he stated of the household. “So there’s great deals of problems. One, it’s cherished. One, it’s going to ruin the brand name. There’s a much deeper concern, which is the doctrinal problem. … If God is a Father, He is not Meryl Streep pretending to be a Father. He’s not trans. He’s the Father. He’s our Father. He likes us. He embraces us.”

Baehr has a deep connection to the Narnia story, having actually headed the company that produced the Emmy-winning 1979 CBS adjustment of “The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe.” It was animated by Bill Melendez Productions of “Peanuts” popularity.

“The story has to do with Aslan representing Jesus. I got countless letters. One guy composed a letter that I still keep in mind, and he stated: My better half has actually been irritating me for many years about accepting Jesus, however it wasn’t till I saw Aslan on the stone table and the resurrection that I comprehended who Jesus is.”

“The Magician’s Nephew” informs Narnia’s development story, with Aslan bringing the world into presence.

‘The Magician’s Nephew,’ naturally, is the start. It’s Genesis. You need to have God as a dad,” Baehr stated. “You can’t have actually God being voiced as a female. This is not theologically proper. I imply, it might work as a motion picture. … This is most likely going to be really pleasant. And a great deal of individuals are going to go see it. And the issue typically is that individuals put cash and ticket office before precision. Theologically, this is a significant heresy, and it’s a remarkable issue.”

Baehr stated he thinks Gerwig has “a heart for God” however “is far more feminist,” indicating the 2023 hit “Barbie” as an example.

“She’s a great filmmaker,” he stated.

Baehr prompted moms and dads to prepare their kids for the movie and the lots of methods it might vary from the initial story.

“You’ve got to speak to your kids about it,” he stated. “You’ve got to inform them. … This is among the films that is going to be meant to break their worths. Comprehend what the fact is, so you can protect the fact, since the reality will set you totally free.”

Picture Credit: © Hwawon Lee/Anadolu by means of Getty Images

Michael Foust has actually covered the crossway of faith and news for twenty years. His stories have actually appeared in Baptist Press, Christianity Today, The Christian Post, the Leaf-Chronicle, the Toronto Star and the Knoxville News-Sentinel.

Listen to Michael’s Podcast!He is the host of Crosswalk Talka podcast where he talks with Christian motion picture stars, artists, directors, and more. Hear how popular Christian figures keep their faith a top priority in Hollywood and find the very best Christian motion pictures, books, tv, and other home entertainment. You can discover Crosswalk Talk on LifeAudio.comor subscribe on Apple or Spotify You never ever miss out on an interview that will be sure to motivate your faith.

Initially released September 23, 2026.