When casting for The Lion, The Witch, and the Wardrobe was announced I was less than impressed, which I guess was the point. Most of the cast are relative unknowns, which is a pretty smart move when you’re making a movie that centers around kids. The ruler of Narnia, Aslan the lion, is a pretty important figure though, and the one piece of casting I was impressed with: Brian Cox.
Months ago it was announced that Brian Cox would not be playing Aslan, preferring a slimmer, healthier life to a huskier, more dangerous life with a role as the Christ-lion. (Producers said Cox was let go because his voice was changed when he lost weight). Today, AICN is reporting the rumored replacement for the voice of the CGI Lion: Liam Neeson.
If you think about it, this fits Neeson’s M.O. as of late. After all, Aslan is supposed to be a Christ figure, and Christ kind of fits the idea of the wise instructor figure Neeson has been playing as of late (Star Wars, Batman Begins, etc). Whether or not this is true remains to be seen, but it is, at the very least, a cool idea.
