Gerwig's Narnia: A 1950s Rock-Opera Vision with Streep as Aslan

Key points

• Meryl Streep is voicing Aslan, a role Gerwig selected for its 'profound but not pretentious' gravitas and 'fresh wonder.'
• The film is not a musical but is designed to feel like a 'rock opera,' with Aslan's appearance and the world's creation inspired by David Bowie and other rock icons.
• The setting has been moved from the early 1900s in the novel to post-war 1950s Britain to align with the era of British rock music.
• The cast includes Daniel Craig, Emma Mackey, Carey Mulligan, and Ciarán Hinds, alongside newcomers David McKenna and Beatrice Campbell.
• The film was previously slated for a Thanksgiving 2026 release but has been moved to February 12, 2027, for theaters and April 2, 2027, for Netflix.

Background

This project is the first in Gerwig's planned adaptation of the Narnia books for Netflix, a deal announced in 2023. It follows her Oscar-winning and box-office success 'Barbie,' which she has noted was developed from a similar creative wellspring during the pandemic. The casting of Streep as Aslan marks a significant departure from the 2005 film, where Liam Neeson voiced the character.

How outlets are covering it

Variety and Empire both emphasize Gerwig's personal connection to British rock music, citing her statement that artists like David Bowie and Paul McCartney 'saved her life.' Empire highlights the specific visual and thematic influence of the 1960s and 1970s, noting that Aslan's design features multicolored eyes and a red-striped face. While Variety focuses on the casting rationale and release schedule, Empire provides more detail on the 1950s setting and the 'rock-opera' aesthetic. A Yahoo article, which appears to be a technical error page, offers no substantive content on the story.

Why it matters

The film represents a major shift in the adaptation of a beloved literary franchise, moving away from traditional fantasy toward a music-driven, retro-futurist aesthetic. The involvement of high-profile talent like Streep and Craig, combined with a dual theatrical and streaming release, signals a significant commercial and cultural push by Netflix and Gerwig to redefine the Narnia brand for a new audience.

What to watch

The film is set to open in theaters on February 12, 2027, before its Netflix release on April 2, 2027. Empire's full cover story, featuring on-set details and interviews with the cast, is scheduled to be published in the November 2026 issue of the magazine, available on September 24, 2026.