Ways to Share Feedback with Key Members of Netflix’s Narnia
One of NarniaWeb’s stated missions is amplify the voices of readers who love The Chronicles of Narnia books. Over the past few days, we have seen many members of our community express a desire to make their concerns known about the recent Aslan casting report.
Below is some publicly available contact information for people in key Narnia-related positions. If you choose to reach out, please represent this community with calm, compassion, and respect for the cast, crew, and staff. This is not optional.
Mark Gordon (Producer)
MARK GORDON PICTURES
12200 W Olympic Blvd, Ste 250 Los Angeles, CA 90064
Amy Pascal (Producer)
PASCAL PICTURES
100 Universal City Plaza, Universal City, CA 91608
Vincent Sieber (Producer)
MIDNIGHT ROAD ENTERTAINMENT
10866 Wilshire Blvd, 10th Floor, Los Angeles, CA 90024
Instagram: @vincentsieber
C.S. Lewis Company
- Melvin Adams (Director of The C.S. Lewis Company): @mervadams59 on Instagram
- Rachel Churchhill: rachelchurchill@narnia.com
THE C.S. LEWIS COMPANY LTD
Acre House, 11/15 William Road, London, NW1 3ER
Netflix Public Relations
- Emily Feingold (Vice President, Communications): efeingold@netflix.com
- Sabryna Phillips (Director, Film Publicity): sphillips@netflix.com
NETFLIX
5808 Sunset Boulevard, 12th Floor, Los Angeles, CA 90025
We’re working on more opportunities to elevate fan voices in the coming weeks, so please continue to share your thoughts in the NarniaWeb Discussion Forum and Facebook Group.
I love this!!!! Thank you, Narniaweb! I would be very interested to see if Narnia fans move in a coordinated fashion with this. I’m definitely going to dive into the forums and discuss! Let’s do this!
Brilliant! Sent an email. Appreciate this. Let’s all do our part to not let this travesty take place.
Might it be best to wait until we know more about the nature of discussions with Meryl? Some have speculated we don’t know the whole picture – Greta may have something unexpected in mind. How much has really been confirmed?
My fear is that the production is deliberately provoking Narnia fans to discredit ourselves with our outraged response to their purposely misleading casting news. If we can be labeled “toxic fans,” this will give them leeway to disrupt and subvert Lewis’s works in other, subtler ways.
This is a grand idea. Perhaps it will make a difference. I’m willing to try. I want to be excited for this film again. And as the post says, we ought to be calm, compassionate, and respectful. I would also advise anyone who writes a letter or email to not using political language or clichés and buzzwords like “woke.” That sort of thing will only be a distraction, and I expect will also cause its recipient to ignore anything else you have to say. Just speak graciously, truthfully, and from the heart, which will be far more impactful, if there’s any hope of being heard.
Thank you Narniaweb. I’ve been feeling helpless since the rumour came out so I will at least try making a difference by sending a couple of letters!
I agree with @Forrest! No political language or things that will make them right us off without hearing what we have to say. Remember: Letters are more impactful than comments on social media or emails. So if you’re able, communicate through the mail
We love Aslan the way he is!
Ian – we will have to go out of our way to make sure we’re being gracious, kind, and respectful to make sure we’re not labelled as such.
By all reports, Streep hasn’t been offered the role yet. So even by chance, this is all a huge misunderstanding, at least they’ll know that the movie they’re making matters to fans.
We have such a wonderful community and I hope Netflix can recognize the difference between those who are more politically motivated and those who are genuine Narnia fans. We have real issues with changing Aslan to be a female lion but it’s not because we’re driven by political agendas!
A splendid idea! Hopefully this will turn the tide a bit.
Yes, let all our words sound reasonable, calm, caring and patient with the people we write to 🙂
No need to offend them.
This isn’t an opportunity to vent/express our anger. That will only be counter productive 🙂
In terms of impact, I agree that receiving just 100 letters in the mail would send a far more powerful message than seeing 1,000’s of signatures on a petition or comments on a fan page.
Let’s all put some extra effort into communicating that we want to see these books adapted faithfully by sending a respectful letter or two.
I’ve dreamed about seeing the scene of Aslan creating Narnia in The Magician’s Nephew on screen for so many years! I understand it can’t be exactly the way I imagine it, but would it be too much trouble to give Aslan a mane? There’s a thread in the Narniaweb forum at the moment where they’re making a list of every mention of the mane in the book series. I don’t think anyone’s ever pictured him without a mane before. The book also describes Aslan having “the deepest, wildest voice you ever heard.” I know Meryl Streep can sound regal, but I wouldn’t exactly describe her voice that way.
this is ridiculous! you guys are judging and “taking actions” on rumors and things you don’t have the bigger picture on. absolute madness. really sad to see. don’t judge it before you see the end result!
For those wanting to post letters, the ones with CA are in the USA.
As a few people here have pointed out, it’s true we don’t know for sure that the casting for Aslan (and the apparent decision to portray Aslan as female) is anything more than a rumour. Until very recently, I was also extremely reluctant to take any action until we know something for sure.
However, the rumour has now been circulating for nearly 5 days, and nobody connected with the production has given ANY response to it at all, whether to confirm it or deny it or even to acknowledge the controversy.
Even if the rumour is untrue — an April Fool’s joke or maybe some kind of misguided publicity stunt — it is doing a lot of damage to the film and to Netflix’s image in general, as it goes on with no response while so many Narnia fans worldwide are deeply upset and concerned. Whether or not it turns out to be true, it’s looking like those involved with the film either don’t realise what bad PR this is, or somehow don’t care. That isn’t encouraging at all.
Many thanks to the NarniaWeb team for sharing this information and I will be making use of it.
I do agree that there remains at least *some* outside possibility that this is all just a huge misunderstanding and the end result won’t be as bad as everyone fears.
The problem with “waiting and seeing” though, is that by that time it’s too late, and therefore I think fans are well within their rights to ask for some clarity on the situation.
Netflix has had multiple opportunities to get ahead of the PR controversy on this story which has now spread into the mainstream news media, and has likely delivered a severe blow to the film’s box-office potential, given the very limited IMAX theatrical run it was aiming for (i.e. there is no scope to build up a positive word-of-mouth over a few weeks, it has to be strong right out of the gate).
Just wondering: Would it be appropriate to contact the Casting Director (Nina Gold)?
Regarding the comments saying it is still a rumour, I see what you are saying. However I am under the impression that Deadline has heard from a source (from the production, I thought it has been the implication), who said that Meryl Streep is being considered for the role of Aslan. That is very much more than a rumour, in my understanding. That speaks of a real conversation that happened.
But I could be wrong.
I have posted a letter to Mark Gordon this evening, outlining my reasoning to keep Aslan a male character.
Personally, I wouldn’t contact anyone such as Nina Gold, who is involved with the production, but is otherwise just doing the job she has been hired to do as a creative.
All of the contact details above are for the companies which have a senior decision making role, and for the specific people who’s job it is to deal with public relations (i.e. us, the public).
Thank you very much for this! I will make the most of the contact information. Perhaps we can stop the desecration or at least influence the filmmakers.
I am aware that this casting is only a rumour. So instead of addressing that, I mainly went down the route of just asking them to politely be faithful. [MODERATOR REMOVED]
I am nervous about writing if there is still a possibility it is only a rumor. It might be better if we all wrote what Narnia means to us.
Thank you for posting this. I’m glad I’m not the only one HORRIFIED about this possibility. Leave it to Hollyweird to add another despicable choice in their quiver of horrid choices. Hoping that better choices will come
I feel that all of what has happen so far felt like a “telephone” effect with how little to no reconfirmation is revealed without revealing too much about the project. The questions I have are like:
1) Why no representative from either Gerwig’s team or Netflix discuss the clarity on the project?
It is simple clarity could calm the storm but why not just make it public. If either side having to clarify, it would be they have to reveal certain parts of the project, which why it seems as they decline to do so cause it would possibly basically spoil their plans if they ever to slowly reveal the cast say at an upcoming event like Tudum (which is May 31,2025), basically Netflix version of comic-con. Also, as this is an adaptions there are certain specific key parts like characters where the readers have a plan on who to play so sometimes if whoever play it is revealed they be like “wish this actor look the part or like feel the part” but usually good acting can be measured rather than appearance wise. Another thing to note is that Gerwig seem like the introvert type where she unable to speak in a way that does not spill the tea (spoilers) cause anytime she speak and the person in front of her does not understand she has to go into specific and sometimes that basically revealing what they are working on, I mean like past few months there were interviews that basically lead up to Magician Nephew being the book to adapt. It might be why Gerwig’s pr team has to keep shut or else too much will be reveal especially adapting a book cause basically everyone (readers) have the script (the actual book itself) they know what to expect, which also brings higher expectations which lead to the next question.
2) Where did PR management go wrong?
Before answering, let look at the context of the whole thing. Gerwig just came out of Barbie (with its own debates on different sides as well as her being a target) so the tension regarding about making the movie for Narnia was weary for those observing the project as she signed with Netflix with 2 movies prior to filming Barbie. Additionally, Narnia has it ups (having some adaptaions in films and televisions) and downs (cut-out to soon from finishing the adaptions) as well as not a lot of people really that much excitement for another adaptaions regarding prior to the project lead to the following. One key factor that stirred the pot was with the “rock-and roll” quote from Amy Pascal, which cause “signals of uproar” that PR team from both Gerwig and Netflix picked up but did not want to say cause speak out would basically spilling the tea while on the other hand indicated to them that there is those who have an already negative view about the project prior to the release of more information. It possibly because of that they try to stir the pot even more not only to bring attractions but also draw attention, I mean there was legit in the Barbie movie trailer that said “for those who like or hate her”, that speaks volumes to how they pressing everybody buttons. I mean there is a saying “any press is good press” suggests that even negative media attention can be beneficial, as it brings attention to a person, business, or product, keeping them in the public eye.
I also speculated that insiders and PR team did talk somethings but not enough to give like say:
News Insiders: Regarding the Narnia project, how is it going ? Is there anything updates you have shared?
PR TEAM (Netflix/Gerwig’s Team): Yeah, we are still working on the casting for characters in our project so like Aslan and other characters. We are discussing with some possible people on certain parts like Charlie, Daniel Craig, and Meryl Streep as well as other members still being casted?
News Insiders: Meryl? Is she in it.
PR TEAM (Netflix/Gerwig’s Team): Possibly for a specific role, but we have to see about that?
News Insiders: Okay…
(News Come out about “Aslan Casting”)
An possibly Gerwig might also have asked the PR TEAM (Netflix/Gerwig’s Team) about clarity addressed on the media but possibly PR TEAM (Netflix/Gerwig’s Team) like I mentioned did not want to spoil too much about the film but also “any press is good press” mentality. Also, you have to note, Gerwig is surrounded by people from the film industry like her husband or those related to film as well as friends and so forth, so before she pitch this idea she has to asked them like “is this right” like how she asked her husband about ideas when writing a script. In addition, she has to go through CS Lewis foundation people who owns the rights and Netflix before really put the petal to the metal.
I also have a suspicion this is used as a red hearing just to distract and let Gerwig finish up here stuff cause there were too many leaks about the production of the project that made them concern about like spoiling too much. They really said “lets test their faith” with this, which like I said time will tell. It also bring the expectations down in order to be a reasonable level expectations, like a kid who does not like a certain food but if the other foods does not exist, he has only that choice left.
What I am saying is more of a rational understanding of why we are where we are today as we need to trace back to the previous breadcrumbs trail before moving forward to the path of truth.
“this is ridiculous! you guys are judging and “taking actions” on rumors and things you don’t have the bigger picture on. absolute madness. really sad to see. don’t judge it before you see the end result!“ To whomever wrote this…
You don’t want to help us potentially save this Narnia movie?
Fine. You can get out of our way.
I made a video about it:
https://rumble.com/v6rmuub-woke-narnia.html?e9s=src_v1_upp
@JFG II – as one of the people urging caution, IF the rumors are true, it is too late to save this Narnia movie.
1. If Meryl Streep is even being considered for the role, then Greta plainly has no love for these stories or their author, and she is not interested in honoring its oldest fans. Even if Streep doesn’t get the offer, this film has moved from “potentially beloved adaptation” to “curious and disappointing footnote in Narnia history while the fans wait for a truly loving redo twenty more years down the line.”
2. The production’s refusal to clarify is such a transparently cynical attempt to stir outrage. It’s cheap, it’s lazy, and it (again) shows utter disdain for the people this film is supposedly for.
3. My conclusion is that ONE purpose of this franchise reboot is, and always was, to undermine Lewis’s theological vision and transfer Narnia fandom out of the hands of traditional Christians—who come out of this looking like miserable reactionists. If this is true, the project cannot be saved.
If, however, Streep is NOT being considered for a gender-swapped Aslan, [MODERATOR REMOVED], there is no problem (yet).
I suggest that rather than begging production for a male Aslan, we remind them, gently, that we older fans are likely the lion’s share of the audience. Subvert the story, betray the audience.
No Way! Aslan is a Male Lion, please make it right !
In the wise words of Kelly Kapoor from The Office “Yeah I have a lot of questions. Number one, How dare you?”
Thank you Narniaweb. I am going to wait until I’m in a more stable mind frame before reaching out. I promise I’ll be nice. 🙂
Good action NarniaWeb! True enough, Greta may in fact have a big creative intention to distort Streeple’s voice so it sounds like a solar hurricane, but IMHO, the next conciliatory move is hers to make … /// BTW, I wonder if maybe also give contact for IMAX and other theatrical distributors?? A good strong boycott scenario might make them rethink that big-screen plan.
You can’t just make Aslan female, that’s not how the story was written, nor how it was meant to be. Aslan is as HE is, and should not be changed. He’s 100% male. Plus, without a mane, Aslan just wouldn’t be the same and would look so strange. :/ Plus, most of the people who will be watching the film will be Narnia fans, and I haven’t heard of a bookworm who likes big changes and gender changes in the film adaptations.
I think if there were already a movie adaptation of MN that followed the book I would not be as concerned about what Netflix does. It was very exciting that they were starting with MN this time. Being Netflix I figured they’d modernize Narnia in some way, but changing Aslan is maybe the most extreme change they can make.
I do feel Netflix should just tell us the truth. If Netflix wants a female Aslan it will happen.
I did once send Netflix a letter about a movie in 2020. It was about a very different situation than this and I wrote the letter very professionally. I never heard back from them.
Here is a petition as well to do everything we can to get this changed. https://chng.it/vSbhZZWV7w
I have mixed feelings about reaching out to the studio execs. If they are going to get this wrong, what else will they get screw up? This is way worse than anything in Voyage of the Dawn Treader. I’m not looking forward to an adaptation by someone who will make a worse adaptation than that. Maybe this needs to happen. Maybe it needs to be terrible. Maybe we need a catastrophically bad Magician’s Nephew film so that there’s no sequel to this travesty, and we don’t get six more adaptations-in-name-only of these books. I fear if we save them from themselves, the series may just limp along in mediocrity, further delaying any great work on these films.
Prince_Rilian, absolutely. Female Aslan doesn’t just “happen” in an otherwise respectful adaptation. If the rumor is true, there are deep problems and dark intentions here. It’s not a simple fan-backlash miscalculation. If gender-swapping Jesus is even on the table, a male voice actor isn’t salvaging this.
Our best bet would be a boycott. Which would mostly happen organically. Who wants to see *sort of* The Magician’s Nephew? Who has been asking for *sort of* Narnia? Not a soul I know. Interest in this film wouldn’t drop from a 9 to a 6. It’d be 9 to zero.
Prince Rilian and Ian, you make great points. If Netflix is truly considering a female Aslan and not just deepening Streep’s voice to play Aslan, there are probably changes in the characters’ personalities or significant changes in what Aslan says. Maybe it could be interesting, but it won’t be what we hoped for.
However, they can engage Narnia fans and tell a not-exactly-Narnian story. Doctor Who did this on a Christmas special where the Eleventh Doctor cheers up a family who’s lost their father during WWII by creating a portal to a world a little like Narnia. It’s plot is very different but also honors Narnia with it’s allusions to Narnia. I would rather see something inspired by Narnia like this actually, than a movie that significantly changes MN.
I will be forwarding this information to other Narnia fans. We are all very disappointed about these rumors, and I’m hoping that these politely worded letters help. For us Christians, let our letters demonstrate our faith and not make us appear toxic. Hollywood does not view Christianity in high esteem, so let’s not give them any reason to criticize us.
Is there no petition we can sign? To make our voices and case heard. For example of there were a petition of hundreds of thousands of signatures. Of people saying no to a female Aslan. Surely the producers or Netflix would have to take stock. It’s nice individuals sending the odd email. But this requires a stronger message. Narnia are not just children’s books. They are the simplified gospel for children. We as Christian’s need to stand up and defend the faith. I’m all for being peaceful and not using offensive language. But we as a community need to mobilise.
I wish there was a petition or something that could be shared with Netflix and others. Aside from loving Narnia (and many of the other books that Lewis wrote) and not wanting to see an “interpretation” that mocks or denigrates the original material, I have another concern. Why is it okay to redefine Christianity into whatever image or message you want? Why is this never done for Islam or Hinduism or, quite literally, every other religion/faith on the planet? (By the way, this is rhetorical. I do know the answer). Before you attempt to make a film regarding Christian content, are you going to respect the original meaning and message?? If you are not a follower of Christ according to the principles identified and defined by Scripture & the Antioch church of the first century, then you have no business attempting to create a Christian film without heavy reliance upon actual experts. Not to be rude but to put it in the common language of today’s world – This is cultural appropriation!!
@PrinceRilian and Ian, FWIW, the director has stated that she’s a big fan of the Narnia books so I can’t say it’s impossible for this to be an adaptation where everything is faithful except Aslan’s gender. But I also can’t say this news squares very well with her statements about respecting the source material.
We need to move, Marvel listens to their fanbase all the time. We have been waiting since 2010 for a new film, and this change alone would be devastating. What else can we do?
@Col Klink, Fair enough, I read those same statements very optimistically some months ago. Even if the rumors are true, we should give her the benefit of the doubt that she really does love Narnia in her own way.
But as someone who believes that Narnia is a “true myth,” I want the writer/director of a Narnia movie to be able to honor (at the very least, not deliberately subvert) ALL the ideas Lewis intended to communicate in Narnia. And there’s no doubt that Narnia presupposes a view of gender that Lewis expressed more clearly in other writings, such as Perelandra and That Hideous Strength, and there’s no question that these views are utterly incompatible with Gerwig’s.
Gerwig may *enjoy* Narnia, and that’s great, as far as it goes. But that doesn’t mean she *believes* in Narnia. And for Narnia more than for Middle–Earth, or Hogwarts, or a galaxy far, far away, that’s the biggest difference in the world.
Another reason not to make Aslan a lioness is that with Digory’s mother dying, it might come across like Aslan is supposed to be a replacement mother figure or something like that. I suppose they could have Digory’s father be the one dying. But I don’t know why they would do that. Still, with the Meryl Streep news, any crazy thing is possible.
P.S.
If you’re still reading this, Ian, I actually don’t see gender as a big theme in the Narnia books. I know a lot of other people do but I don’t.