Aslan voice actor Liam Neeson cringes learning Meryl Streep has been cast as lion in newest Narnia film

Neeson voiced the mythical lion in the original “Chronicles of Narnia” films, and said in a recent interview with ScreenRant that he was not aware there was a new movie being made. Aslan is representative of Jesus Christ in the franchise based on the writings of Christian author CS Lewis.

“I’m sorry, this is news to me," Neeson said when he was asked if he had seen the trailer for the movie. "Meryl is playing Jesus Christ? Well, if you’re going to make Christ a lady, nobody better than Meryl," he responded, appearing visibly uncomfortable with the idea, but smoothed over the response.

Greta Gerwig, the director of the film, cast Streep in the role and has said that David Bowie—who declared himself gay in 1972 and then bisexual in 1976—was the inspiration behind the look for Aslan, who has a multicolored look.

Gerwig said of the casting: “I wanted someone who was profound but not pretentious, who had gravitas but not morose self-seriousness. Someone who could communicate depth and pathos as well as joy and delight. I wanted someone who was older than 70, so there was a wisdom of experience, but who also had the capacity of fresh wonder, like a child. And also to be one of the greatest actors to ever do it. That list is not a long one," she told Empire.

The movie will open in theaters on February 12, 22027, and then start streaming on Netflix on April 2.