Posted by: @glenwit

So far it's been 2 weeks since the rumour first came out - Greta/Meryl/etc. have yet to confirm or deny this. It also has yet to be corroborated by any reputable source, so I'm not quite sure what to think at this point.

Only 2 weeks? It feels like about 6 months to me by now...  

But yes, true, it has never been properly corroborated. Deadline is, I believe, considered a reputable source, but it's unclear how much of the original story they've confirmed and how. It could still be that they have merely ascertained that Meryl Streep is "in talks" for the possible offer of a major role, BUT there hasn't been any absolute confirmation of which role that is. The original report from Nexus Point News said straight out that Aslan "will be female in the series", but Deadline acknowledged that they had been unable to confirm that detail. So it could be that Aslan will be male but have Streep providing at least part of his voice (for whatever reasons), or that Streep is in fact being considered for a different role and the story has been garbled up.

Meanwhile, I've only just noticed that there is a new episode of the Talking Beasts podcast on this very topic — Meryl Streep Might Play Aslan... How Concerned Should We Be? — so I'll see what they have to say as soon as I have time!

EDITED TO ADD: The Talking Beasts episode (which comes with a video) is really worth watching. Shout-out to @gp, @gymfan15 and @impending-doom for doing such a great job!  

I love how civil the Talking Beast podcast is.  Calmly and thoughtfully discussing the concerns we all have, without fanning the flames of a culture war.  The Narnia community is one of the better/less toxic fandoms and I appreciate that.  🙂

While Meryl Streep might be in consideration for Aslan, I still think there's a chance she's being considered for another role and this is all being blown out of proportion.

One theory I have is that in Gerwig's adaptation, both Streep AND Charlie XCX will play Jadis.  I think Streep could play Jadis for the majority of "The Magician's Nephew" and then — after eating the apple near the end of the movie — she obtains a more youthful appearance and is then played by Charlie XCX. It's not quite what Lewis wrote, but it could be a good way to visually demonstrate the apple prolonging life.  

Posted by: @courtenay

Meanwhile, I've only just noticed that there is a new episode of the Talking Beasts podcast on this very topic — Meryl Streep Might Play Aslan... How Concerned Should We Be? — so I'll see what they have to say as soon as I have time!

EDITED TO ADD: The Talking Beasts episode (which comes with a video) is really worth watching. Shout-out to @gp, @gymfan15 and @impending-doom for doing such a great job!  

 

Posted by: @ghost93

I love how civil the Talking Beast podcast is.  Calmly and thoughtfully discussing the concerns we all have, without fanning the flames of a culture war.  The Narnia community is one of the better/less toxic fandoms and I appreciate that.  🙂

I fully agree about this being worth watching!

Civil and calm, in a situation where it would be easy to engage in flame wars. NarniaWeb wouldn't allow anything really bad, but this podcast is more than just 'not bad', it is actively encouraging quiet and serious discussion.

I join the shout-out to our podcasters!  

Posted by: @varna

I fully agree about this being worth watching!

Civil and calm, in a situation where it would be easy to engage in flame wars. NarniaWeb wouldn't allow anything really bad, but this podcast is more than just 'not bad', it is actively encouraging quiet and serious discussion.

Also, it was really funny without making light of fan concerns. 

Thanks for the kind words @ghost93, @courtenay, @varna, & @col-klink  

If the podcast had been recorded a week or so before, the overall tone would have been much more depressing and not nearly as productive or professional - at least from me!