332. Why Do We Fight Like Narnians for the Stories We Love?

At first we tried to be optimistic about Netflix’s new Narnia-inspired movie.

Even when that rumor first dropped in April 2025 that claimed Meryl Streep was “in talks” to voice Aslan.

Then last week brought us this grave news that Netflix and/or director Greta Gerwig did indeed cast Streep, a female actress, to voice the male King of Narnia, Aslan.

They included high-res art of a glammed-up lion with obvious chimera creature textures and colors inspired by 1970s music celebrities.

They boasted about the new movie’s “rock and roll” influence. They showed preview images featuring Jadis in a glittery short-skirt go-go outfit squalling into the streets of 1950s London.

And now Narnia fans are all in uproar over these perversions of The Magician’s Nephew by C. S. Lewis.

With courteous words or else hard knocks as the warrior’s only language, how then can we join the fight like true Narnians?

Join this special edition episode with an abridged version of our Sept. 21, 2026 audio-livestream on X (fka Twitter).

Once a King or Queen in Narnia, always a King or Queen …

Queen Bethel the Valiant

Bethel McGrew is a freelance writer based in Michigan. Her work has appeared in First Things, the Wall Street Journal, the Lamp, and more. Follow her on Substack at Further Up.

King Zackary the Just

Zackary Russell is a Fightin’ Texas Aggie and proud member of Generation X-Wing. After conquering the Oregon Trail, he traveled to Hyrule and the Island of Myst. His heart for the nations led him into a ministry for international students, where he works as a videographer. He writes science fiction, and is the producer and co-host of the Fantastical Truth podcast. He lives in Texas with his wife and four children. His digital home base is zackaryrussell.com.

Queen Megan the Gentle

Megan Basham is a reporter for The Daily Wire and a frequent contributor to Morning Wire. In her previous role as an entertainment editor and podcast co-host for World Magazine, she interviewed numerous A-list celebrities. She has also written for The Wall Street Journal, National Review, and Townhall. Her book, Beside Every Successful Man, was published by Random House.

King Stephen the Magnificent

E. Stephen Burnett creates sci-fi for Christ’s glory. He began with Above the Circle of Earth (2025, Enclave Publishing), which stars a team of struggling yet heroic space missionaries versus the secular regimes of our 22nd century. Two more novels (2027–2028) will launch to form the Mission to the Stars series. Meanwhile, Stephen serves readers by engaging more fantastical stories, publishing the digital mission Lorehaven.com and its weekly Fantastical Truth podcast. He coauthored The Pop Culture Parent and creates other resources for fans and families, serving with his wife, Lacy, in their central Texas church.

About the Lorehaven mission

In a world of bad books, Lorehaven.com helps fans and families engage fantastical stories for Christ’s glory. Biblical Christian creators founded Lorehaven in 2018. Start with our library to find the best fantasy, sci-fi, and supernatural books for readers of all ages. Go deeper with articles and weekly podcasts. Subscribe free to get resources by email and join the Lorehaven Guild!