Greta Gerwig's Gerwig's Chronicles of Narnia movie is a Netflix production, with the film reportedly adapting Lewis' prequel novel, The Magician's Nephew, which chronicles the creation of Narnia.

Originally reported by Nexus Point News and later corroborated by Deadline, Streep is said to be in talks to play the franchise's wise lion, Aslan, in the Netflix Narnia film. The latter publication adds an additional detail from its own sources, claiming that Streep has not yet formally been given an offer for the role. Nexux Point News reports that Streep's Aslan would be female in the movie, gender-swapping the character from the books.

The Nexus Point News report also repeats claims that the movie will be an adaptation of The Magician's Nephew, though it should be noted that this hasn't yet been officially confirmed. Filming on the adaptation is reportedly set to get underway at some point this year.

What This Means For Gerwig's Chronicles Of Narnia Movie

Meryl Streep Isn't The Only Big Name Eyed To Star

Streep is widely considered one of the best actors in Hollywood. She has won three Oscars throughout her career and has been nominated for 21 more, and she is best known for movies like The Post (2017), August: Osage County (2013), Doubt (2007), The Devil Wears Prada (2006), and The Deer Hunter (1978), among many other titles. If she is cast as a gender-swapped Aslan in Netflix's Narnia movie, this will mark the first feature film adaptation of Lewis' work to make this change.

Streep, if she ends up coming aboard the Gerwig film, could be ing some major names. The Magician's Nephew follows characters Digory Kirke and Polly Plummer as they discover the magical world of Narnia through the magic of Digory's uncle, Andrew. Deadline previously reported that Daniel Craig is being eyed for the role of Andrew, while pop star Charli XCX could play Jadis, a character who eventually becomes The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe's central antagonist, the White Witch.

Tilda Swinton previously played the White Witch in The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe and reprised her role for both Prince Caspian (2008) and the final installment, The Voyage of the Dawn Treader (2010).

Our Take On Meryl Streep's Potential Aslan Casting

Gerwig's Adaptation Could Rejuvenate The Franchise

Though Streep's casting as Aslan isn't confirmed until it's confirmed, it would be an exciting development for the next adaptation of The Chronicles of Narnia. After the massive success of her acclaimed Barbie (2023), Gerwig has certainly proven herself a filmmaker capable and worthy of putting her own unique spin on existing IP, and gender-swapping Aslan with an Oscar-winning star could be just the move to inject fresh life into the franchise.

Neeson's voice acting as Aslan was a highlight of the Chronicles of Narnia trilogy, and, for many, his could be the definitive take on the character. It's now been 15 years since that trilogy concluded with The Voyage of the Dawn Treader, though, and now could be the perfect time to introduce a new take on the character. With production reportedly getting underway this year, it's likely that more news regarding Gerwig's The Chroncles of Narnia movie isn't far off.

Source: Nexus Point News, Deadline