What are people's thoughts on Idris Elba? He's got a nice growly base voice if you like that sort of thing.

What are people's thoughts on Idris Elba? He's got a nice growly base voice if you like that sort of thing.

I could definitely get behind this since he's one of my favorite actors. He's obviously got the acting chops, and he was a great voice actor in The Jungle Book. Obviously Liam Neeson was a fantastic Aslan and I'll never quite be over him, but if we have to recast (which is looking more and more likely imo, like 99.9%), Idris Elba is definitely one of my first choices. Thanks for the suggestion, FK! I hadn't thought of that.

Ah, Idris Elba... *points to what she wrote four posts prior*

Not only do I think that his voice resembles David Suchet's to a degree (the deepness, the frequent vocal fry), I also think that he could bring a lot of power, energy and magnetism to the role... as Gp said, that "not tame" side of Aslan. That's really something that I would like to see in this new interpretation of the character... but not at the expense of his tenderness and wisdom, however. Any actor who wants to play this role really needs to read Aslan's conversation with Shasta in HHB if they want the crash course on Who this character is. This role is a dream for a true artist, and will require incredible versatility.

Sense it looks like Liam Neeson most likely won't be back, I'd be fine with Idris Elba. He's a vary good actor and I've liked him in everything I've seen him in.

Ah, Idris Elba... *points to what she wrote four posts prior*

Heh. I'm having one of those unobservant days apparently. Sorry to steal your thunder Rose. I think your suggestion is an excellent one.

My favorite is still Ben Cross. He doesn't have that growly quality to his voice like Elba does, but I love his timbre. I've heard him both calm and quiet, as well as angry, and he just feels Aslan-ly to me.

It's interesting to me that there's not much of an uproar about Liam Neeson not returning, but Will Poulter, wow! Poor Liam. I did like him as Aslan.

It's interesting to me that there's not much of an uproar about Liam Neeson not returning, but Will Poulter, wow! Poor Liam. I did like him as Aslan.

I wonder if that's because people didn't see him, and therefore didn't attach as much weight to his part. Not to say that having the right person for a voice actor isn't equally important; recasting a part actor is more discomfiting on a visual level, though, which, after all, is a significant part of movies.

Maybe more people will be upset when reality hits--when they hear the "wrong voice." Who knows? But then I grew up with the BBC Aslan, so my idea of the "wrong voice" is going to be different.

What about Andy Serkis? If they’re doing a motion capture Aslan, he’d be the top choice for me. He’s got a great range with Snoke and Gollum (I haven’t seen the ape movies) so I think he’d be pretty great as Aslan.

I'm expecting to see Aslan similar to the three previous Narnia films - a very well presented CG figure who moves like a lion. This needs to be based on how actual lions move, which no motion capture actor could achieve, I'm afraid.

Were you thinking of a voice he might create for Aslan?

I actually thought that Andy would be one of the best actors out there to imitate a lion, what with his experience in playing animals over the years. Of course, a CG lion would work really well, and it has, but maybe having a motion capture Aslan might help distinguish SC from the Walden Trilogy. Just a thought. But I was thinking more along the lines of Aslan’s relationship with Jill in SC, which is of the things I’m looking forward to seeing in SC-I think Andy is one of those actors that can capture both the wildness and kingly aspects of Aslan, which would be really important in those scenes when she meets him on the cliff, and in the dream sequence (if that’s not cut).

I agree with the fans who feel that Liam Neeson doesn't sound scary enough for Aslan. I'd like to hear a more intimidating sounding voice actor take over the role. But Neeson does have some good qualities which I appreciated.

(a) I like his slightly amused delivery of some lines like "quite the opposite, dear one." It gives the impression that Aslan knows a lot more than the other characters do but still comes across as warm and not condescending.

(b) Although he's a famous actor, he doesn't have a super distinctive voice. When I listen to him with my eyes closed, I don't think "oh, that's Liam Neeson."

It'd be great if we got someone who also delivered those things but captured other qualities of Aslan's character. Of course, like Rose Tree Dryad and Fantasia Kitty said, totally capturing Aslan is probably impossible.

Locking my old thread in favor of a new thread as Aslan will certainly be recast.