Posted by: @courtenay

Really, I'm just yearning for more definite, verifiable information that will either confirm the "female Aslan" thing is true, or wipe it out entirely. Then at least we'll all know where we stand and can each decide what to do next.

Absolutely agree. To be honest, I am moving forward with the understanding that Greta Gerwig is most likely wanting a female Aslan, unless proven otherwise. So I'm signing the petition and sharing where I can, so at least Greta will know how the fans feel.  

The reality is, the new Narnia team has let this news, cycle around for nearly a week, and have not taken the initiative to quiet fans fear etc.

That seems to say a lot, unfortunately

But I totally get where you're coming from. I wish Greta or her team would officially say something. Then we would actually know where we stand.

Then fans could band together in solidarity whether that's with excitement or making our voices heard. *Sigh*

Posted by: @anfinwen

I just saw the petition started by "Into the Wardrobe" over on X. I went ahead and signed it. I don't know if I'm allowed to share the link here (would that be ok, mods?).

At the moment, we don't allow members to organize petitions or campaign on their behalf in forum threads, but if the petition is within the rules of NarniaWeb Forum (e.g. no politics, respectful), you are welcome to link to it in your signature. (To edit your signature, click on My Profile > Account and look for the signature field.)

Posted by: @col-klink

Posted by: @whitestag

Now the only male figures in the story will be  the deluded and pathetic Uncle Andrew - just like with Ken (and the Mattel bosses) in Barbie. And Frank the cabbie - Sadly, it seems audiences will have to rely solely on Frank for some positive masculinity.

FWIW, as I mentioned before on this thread, Gerwig's Little Women had a positive male authority figure in Mr. Laurence Sr. Actually, it had two with the heroines' father. (He was implied to be more flawed than he was in the original book but that was bringing him closer to Louisa May Alcott's father who was the basis for the literary version-and the movie's version was still more idealized than he was. )

To both of you I must point out that there is an important male character in each of these books, one who learns from life's experiences, becomes a strong supporter of others, and is worthy as one to look up to. 

In Little Women and its sequel the young man Laurie does not fail to improve from his encounters and friendships with the March family, and eventually sees with clear eyes who he wants to spend his life with.

In Magician's Nephew we have a boy whose life is falling apart around him, who makes mistakes, but also takes brave actions, and tells the truth. Digory learns through his experiences, and through what he witnesses in his travel to Charn and Narnia, how he will live his life and what truth and fairness are. The last chapters show his taking charge of some things to make them right, and we know from LWW that he has become a man of wisdom and educational leadership.

In both cases, the male character learns from the good female characters around him, and becomes one of the good males. Gerwig take note please.

BUT we have not been told that Aslan will be a male.  We have not.  So, let's keep hopeful that the casting powers-that-be understand that.
Also that the CGI company is given correct direction on what the Lion character is!!

Posted by: @iamlionheart

The reality is, the new Narnia team has let this news, cycle around for nearly a week, and have not taken the initiative to quiet fans fear etc.

That seems to say a lot, unfortunately

I too am utterly flummoxed by their unwillingness to comment on this story. NarniaWeb actually gave them ample time to get ahead of this story, asking them for comment a full 48 hours or so before the mainstream media picked it up.

Given the PR train-wreck that ended up engulfing Disney's Snow White production over the last few years, which went wildly over-budget as they attempted to course correct for one disaster after another, and for which they ended up having to cancel the World Premiere event itself just days before release, it just defies belief that they could allow this to happen to their own film literally just a few days after!

The mainstream media reporting here in the UK, especially in the tabloid press, has been particularly brutal. I just don't see the film recovering from it.

Everyone at Netflix and IMAX who sunk so much money into setting up such a significant distribution deal only have themselves to blame for committing such a basic unforced error.

Posted by: @rose

Posted by: @anfinwen

I just saw the petition started by "Into the Wardrobe" over on X. I went ahead and signed it. I don't know if I'm allowed to share the link here (would that be ok, mods?).

At the moment, we don't allow members to organize petitions or campaign on their behalf in forum threads, but if the petition is within the rules of NarniaWeb Forum (e.g. no politics, respectful), you are welcome to link to it in your signature. (To edit your signature, click on My Profile > Account and look for the signature field.)

All right, I've gone ahead and done it — these arguments are what pushed me over the edge:

Posted by: @icarus

Posted by: @iamlionheart

The reality is, the new Narnia team has let this news, cycle around for nearly a week, and have not taken the initiative to quiet fans fear etc.

That seems to say a lot, unfortunately

I too am utterly flummoxed by their unwillingness to comment on this story. NarniaWeb actually gave them ample time to get ahead of this story, asking them for comment a full 48 hours or so before the mainstream media picked it up.

That's the thing. This whole concept of Aslan being female is going to be SO damaging to the Netflix film franchise that if it isn't true, the only way they can mitigate the harm that's already being done is by coming forward and confirming it's not true. And if it IS true... it's such an idiotic move that it will pretty much cause the entire series to bomb at the outset.

Either way, honestly, what do they think they're doing???  

Anyway, the petition is indeed worded very respectfully and explains the issues well without any insults or inflammatory language (and also without being theologically partisan). I particularly like this remark in it about Aslan as a positive masculine role model, which is something that's so needed in this world:

In today’s world—where so many influencers and prominent figures portray a toxic and false of view of masculinity— Aslan provides a meaningful picture of true healthy masculinity:

Aslan is kind, gentle, compassionate, and selfless.  He is also wild, fierce, brave and strong.  Aslan is not safe, but he’s good. He’s the king, I tell you.

While it is not yet apparent if Gerwig intends to transform the character into a female lioness, digitally alter Streep’s performance to sound male, or simply use the actor’s voice as is, none of these options are appropriate.

Hopefully the mods are in agreement with this being shared on NarniaWeb!   If lots of us can spread the word, there's that much more chance that Gerwig and her team will get the very clear message.

First of all, yes I love Meryl Streep. She's one of my biggest influences and I would love to see or hear her in a Narnian role, but NOT as Aslan. As I've mentioned before on a different post, I wouldn't mind a few voices that can possibly be gender swapped like Fledge for instance; Meryl can do a good job with that or Aunt Letty in The Magician's Nephew. For crying out loud there's so many characters to voice throughout the entire series. But Leave Aslan alone for a male actor. Sorry. I should've waited a few more days I think before posting, this has gotten me very upset.

Posted by: @courtenay

That's the thing. This whole concept of Aslan being female is going to be SO damaging to the Netflix film franchise that if it isn't true, the only way they can mitigate the harm that's already being done is by coming forward and confirming it's not true. And if it IS true... it's such an idiotic move that it will pretty much cause the entire series to bomb at the outset.

I cannot believe that they would be foolish. 

I'm expecting to see a proper Aslan with a mane - can they buy the same animation material from whoever created the Walden one?  

HOW Aslan speaks, with deep mellow voice, does not matter as much.

(Half the world doesn't know what a female lion looks like anyway, I suspect!)

Tashlan of “The Last Battle”? - well maybe.

Aslan? Hard no.

If they, hypothetically, proceeded with such an insane idea, I guess the fans were justified to make sure of the downfall of the movie. Maybe IMDB 1.0?

Again, we are here talking about the heritage of C. S. Lewis.

I'm still reeling from this. I want to believe they're going to just keep the character male and alter Streep's voice to give it an unusual but interesting/believable quality. But it's just as possible, if not more likely, that they're planning to distort Aslan completely, and possibly the whole series along with it. 

 I'm holding out hope this will fall through or turn out for the better, but if these are the kinds of decisions we can look forward to, I'm probably going to be done with this. I would rather the Lewis estate refused to sell the rights for adaptations ever again than see vandalism like this take place every few years. 

The lack of communication from Gerwig and her team makes this even worse. It's like they know the upset this decision is causing and refuse to do anything about it. It's almost as if they don't realize it's the fans who are giving their project life... and who can see to its complete failure if not listened to.