The family of C.S. Lewis has publicly voiced support for Netflix's upcoming adaptation of The Magician's Nephew, responding to reports that relatives of the beloved author were upset by the reported casting of Meryl Streep as Aslan.

The statement came from the families of David and Douglas Gresham, Lewis' stepsons through his brief marriage to Joy Davidman Gresham. Issued through Netflix this week and summarized in an Associated Press report, the statement praised director Greta Gerwig's passion for the Narnia series. "We are thrilled to be working with such a talented and accomplished director and production team," the statement said, adding that the family looks forward to continuing work on future Narnia projects.

The statement followed claims by Movieguide founder Ted Baehr that members of the Gresham family were upset about Streep's casting as Aslan and were concerned the controversy could damage the Narnia brand. Baehr told CBN News last month that the casting was theologically wrong, arguing that Aslan's identity as a Christ figure depends on his fatherly, masculine nature as revealed in the books.

Fan reaction has been sharp. A petition calling for Gerwig to be replaced on future Netflix Narnia adaptations has drawn thousands of signatures, according to the Christian Post's report. Many fans argue that giving Aslan a woman's voice imports modern gender ideology into what they call a deliberate Christian allegory of Christ's sacrificial love.

The C.S. Lewis Company, which manages the literary and media rights to Lewis' works, also issued a statement backing Gerwig's work, saying she has embraced Lewis' world with joy, heart, and genuine love for the story.

Some details remain disputed. The fan site NarniaWeb says it has been in contact with the Gresham family and reports that the family has not yet viewed any footage or heard any audio from the film. David Gresham died in 2014, and Douglas Gresham, 80, who is reportedly suffering from dementia and Parkinson's disease, retains an executive producer credit on the adaptation.

The film is expected to receive a theatrical release next February, followed by a Netflix release in April.