Fans of C.S. Lewis' The Chronicles of Narnia have been given a first look at the new adaptation from Greta Gerwig. While the upcoming series has been met with some controversy, namely around certain casting rumors, it seems things are leaning in the right direction.
One reveal we pointed out was what appeared to be a first look at Aslan, or at least a hint of his presence. The image of a male lion on a painted advertisement squashed the rumors that Meryl Streep was cast as a genderbent version of the character.
Still, the lion needs a voice that can deliver that kingly power and compassionate comfort of the character. Here are a few of our five picks for a dream-cast Aslan.
Jonathan Roumie: The Christ-like choice
Let's get the less-subtle option out of the way first. Having made his claim to fame through his portrayal of Jesus Christ in The Chosen, Jonathan Roumie already has more than adequate training in playing a character like Aslan.
C.S. Lewis made no secret of Aslan's representation of Jesus in his novels, so it only feels appropriate that the Jesus of the current pop culture dons the mane to bring things full circle. Additionally, Roumie's range as Jesus is exactly what the character needs to not only deliver a near-perfect performance, but one that can be both "dangerous but good," as Lewis would have wanted.
Idris Elba: The warrior king
If you're familiar with the Narnia books, you know that Aslan needs to be a conquering hero as well as a benevolent king. Enter Idris Elba, whose deep tones and backlog of similar roles make him an easy pick if Gerwig chooses a more action-packed angle.
While not a heroic role, Elba's portrayal of Shere Khan in Disney's Jungle Book remake is the sort of delivery Aslan needs. Deep, calm, but fierce when provoked are all elements of the character seen in the original books, and Idris Elba could deliver it in spades.
Tom Hiddleston: A different direction
This is truly a "hear me out" casting choice, but one that could give Loki a chance to play something more heroic. Fresh off his performance in The Life of Chuck, Tom Hiddleston has proven he can do warm and sentimental fare, a vibe that many fans of Narnia love to indulge. Why not give him a chance to allow Aslan to flex that same element?
One thing that fans need to remember about Netflix's Narnia series is that it's a complete restart, beginning with the prequel The Magician's Nephew. If that's the case, we need an Aslan that isn't quite the deep and ancient ruler of the land. Hiddleston's tenor tones could soften things up just enough to capture this element to a grand extent.
Dan Stevens: Regal and remarkable
Known for his work on Downton Abbey, Disney's Beauty and the Beast, and many other regal roles, Dan Stevens' acting chops are nothing to sneeze at. In this writer's opinion, his aptitude for playing power with disarming charm is perhaps one of the biggest assets to playing Aslan.
His voice is deep, rich, and as indulgent as a beloved fantasy novel, making him an easy top-tier candidate for the part. His delivery is deep enough to rumble like a lion, yet warm enough to welcome humans into his magical realm. What more could you want?
Keith David: Best all-round
In this writer's opinion, Netflix would be hard-pressed to find someone who captures all the elements of Aslan's presence quite like Keith David. Easily one of the most recognizable (and let's be honest, coolest) voices out there, David's deep and dulcet tones paired with his impeccable range make him arguably the best choice.
With roles ranging from Goliath and Spawn to Dr. Facilier and Darkseid, David has had an incredible list of roles of fantastic characters that are all larger than life. Aslan is the face of the Narnia series, and his presence, appearance, and even just his reputation require a powerful presence that David could definitely deliver. That's what makes him our top choice for the new king of Narnia.