Barbie director Greta Gerwig, who depicted Ryan Gosling’s Ken embracing “the patriarchy”, is helming Netflix’s first Chronicles of Narnia movie.

The streaming service is adapting all the books in chronological order starting with The Magician’s Nephew.

Written by Christian author CS Lewis, the fantasy stories are filled with Biblical metaphors, including Aslan the Great Lion, who represents Jesus Christ.

Now, Deadline has reported that Meryl Streep is in talks to voice the much-loved male character, and film fans are furious. Many are taking aim at what they perceive to be a woke movie.

One joked on social media: “Who’s playing the Ice Queen, Brad Pitt?”

One commented on X: “They’re destroying Narnia on purpose. Another wrote: “Aslan is a representation of Christ — he’s male. Hollywood truly despises Christians.” One added: “Aslan is not “generally portrayed” as a male. He is a male. Another said: “Hollywood's insistence on endless narrative/cultural subversion is simple yet baffling self-destruction.”

Many film fans shared their concern when Gerwig was announced as director, given she has a history of subverting the original meaning of stories for a progressive agenda. Given the backlash and box office failure of Snow White, perhaps Netflix will made a U-turn?

The Chronicles of Narnia: The Magician’s Nephew’s release date is TBC.