Latest news with #TheLion
Time of India
4 days ago
- Politics
- Time of India
Interim justice: A study in contrasts
V. Raghunathan is a former Director of the Schulich School of Business (India Program), York University, Toronto, a former professor at IIM Ahmedabad and a former President of ING Vysya Bank. A prolific author, he has written over 15 books, including the national bestseller Games Indians Play (Penguin). With more than 600 published papers and articles, his latest books include The Lion, The Admiral, and A Cat Called B. Uma Vijaylakshmi (Westland, 2025) and To Every Parent; To Every Child (Penguin, 2025) and Irrationally Rational: 10 Nobel Laureates Script the Story of Behavioural Economics (Penguin 2022), among others. LESS ... MORE Justice HR Khanna, the eminent judge, jurist and advocate, renowned for his unwavering commitment to civil liberties and constitutional principles, firmly believed in the public's right to critique judicial decisions. Even in his autobiography, Neither Roses Nor Thorns, Justice Khanna emphasized the significance of dissent and open dialogue in a democratic society. He argued that the judiciary should not be immune to criticism and constructive scrutiny by the public, which serves to strengthen the legal system. His legacy, shaped indelibly by his historic dissent in the ADM Jabalpur case, has become a lodestar for those who seek to reconcile judicial authority with democratic accountability. Justice Sanjiv Khanna, during his recent tenure as Chief Justice of India—an office he vacated only last fortnight—also underscored these values. While reiterating the judiciary's accountability to the Constitution and the rule of law, he affirmed that the judiciary must remain answerable to the Constitution and the rule of law, while underscoring a crucial truth: 'Public trust has to be earned; it can't be commanded.' This underscores the fundamental principle of democracy, namely, that it is not merely the legal mandate by which judicial authority is served, but it is by public's trust in honesty, moral credibility and fairness of judiciary. In this broader constitutional context, two recent Supreme Court interventions—the cases of Professor Ali Khan Mahmudabad and Madhya Pradesh minister Vijay Shah—provide a compelling lens through which to examine the Court's application of constitutional protections and the principle of equal treatment before the law. Both cases related to the two individual's comments on 'Operation Sindoor'–– two women officers as spokespersons––and both causing public outrage, culminating in judicial oversight. Yet, how the two cases were treated by the highest judiciary reveals some stark inconsistencies. Professor Mahmudabad, a respected academic and historian at Ashoka University, was arrested for a social media post which made some critical comments on the Operations Sindoor, represented by two women officers, Col. Sofiya Qureshi and Wg. Cdr. Vyomika Singh. Though many interpreted his comments as thoughtful and critical, even if intellectually provocative, it reflected India's secular values, the state considered them inflammatory. He was detained under laws governing incitement and enmity. In the end, while the Supreme Court granted him interim bail, it did so with significant caveats. The Court reprimanded him, restricted further public commentary on the issue, and ordered the seizure of his passport. Additionally, the investigation was allowed to proceed under the supervision of a Special Investigation Team (SIT) of three IPS officers. This dual response—procedural protection coupled with explicit disapproval—invites reflection. Was the Court performing a balancing act between protecting civil liberties on the one hand and appeasing public sentiment around national security on the other? Or was this simply a pandering to public sentiment, reinforcing the narrative that freedom of expression can be selectively applied or curtailed at whim, when it goes against majoritarian sensitivities? For many observers, including this author, Professor Mahmudabad's post hardly breached the boundaries of responsible public discourse. One may be pardoned for the perception that had the same post been made by any of the majority of the country's population, the matter would not have raised so much as a judicial eyebrow. That the Hon'ble Court considered it necessary to censure and restrict the Professor's freedom suggests a growing discomfort with dissent, even when couched in reasoned argument. In stark contrast, Vijay Shah, the Madhya Pradesh Tribal Welfare Minister, made openly communal and derogatory remarks targeting Colonel Sofiya Qureshi, one of the officers associated with Operation Sindoor communications. His comments were widely condemned as unbecoming of a constitutional functionary and prompted the Madhya Pradesh high court to direct that an FIR be filed against him. When the matter reached the Supreme Court, it too criticised Shah's remarks in strong terms, noting that such language from a public official brought shame to the country. Yet, in contrast to its treatment of Mahmudabad, the Court stayed Shah's arrest pending investigation, while ordering the formation of another SIT to conduct the probe. The disparity here is not merely procedural but constitutional. An academic was arrested, censured, and effectively silenced and seemingly, a message sent out to the academic community at large, for a post that questioned political messaging; a politician was allowed to evade immediate legal consequences for blatantly divisive and communal speech. The implications for equality before the law are troubling. It seems that that the Professor's post was misinterpreted as his disloyalty to the nation due to his identity, background, and presumed ideological stance, while Shah's inflammatory pomposity was buffered by the institutional privileges and political patronage afforded to him as a minister. This raises a difficult question: are constitutional rights contingent on who exercises them? Constitutionally, secularism and freedom of expression are supposed to be universal guarantees; on the ground, these cases suggest they are not equitably treated. The perception of some tilt in judicial response risks undermining public perception and faith in legal impartiality and the integrity of democratic governance. Moreover, the public perception—which lies at the heart of the controversy surrounding Mahmudabad's reference to 'optics'—is hard to overlook, as the unfolding events appear to validate it in real time. His arrest, passport confiscation, and travel restrictions convey a chilling message to academics and dissenting voices. In contrast, the court's relatively restrained stance toward Shah, despite the explicitly communal tenor of his remarks (and a likely pattern of sexist commentary), risks sending an inadvertent signal: that political incivility is more tolerable when it comes from positions of power. How do these two cases measure up on the scales of our Lady Justice—now seemingly unblinded? If the lady were to be witness to how these two cases have been treated, would she not instinctively flinch? At least in the eyes of the public, if not in those of Lady Justice, perhaps the stark contrast between the two cases––a minority academic and a majority minister; between a critical intellectual and a provocative politician; between one whose language was dissected for intent and another whose video evidence was overlooked for arrest––only reinforces why the blindfold was essential: to ensure that justice is dispensed without regard to identity, status, or power. In conclusion, these contradicting rulings suggest the need for introspection within the judiciary. For India to honour its constitutional commitments to secularism, equality, and individual liberty, its institutions—above all, the judiciary—must uphold a uniform and impartial standard. Justice must not only be done but must be seen to be done—without fear, favour, or the shadow of political expediency. Facebook Twitter Linkedin Email Disclaimer Views expressed above are the author's own.
See - Sada Elbalad
21-05-2025
- Entertainment
- See - Sada Elbalad
Carey Mulligan Eyed to Star in Greta Gerwig's "Narnia"
Yara Sameh Carey Mulligan is in negotiations to star in Greta Gerwig's 'Chronicles of Narnia' adaptation at Netflix. If the deal closes, Mulligan will join the previously announced cast of Daniel Craig, Meryl Streep and Emma Mackey. In her much-anticipated 'Barbie' follow-up, Gerwig is writing and directing the fantasy adventure, which follows 'The Magician's Nephew' — the sixth novel in the series by author C.S. Lewis. The story serves as a prequel to 'The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe' and centers on the creation of Narnia by Aslan the lion (voiced by Streep). Two children, Digory and Polly, are the first to discover the 'Wood between the Worlds' after an uncle (Craig) gives the two friends a magical ring. Mackey is playing the Jadis, also known as the White Witch, the antagonist of the series, while Mulligan is expected to portray Digory's ill mother. The film's young leads have yet to be cast. Netflix acquired rights to the 'Narnia' book series in 2018 and announced plans to develop new films and television shows around the fantastical world. The multi-year deal marked the first time that rights to all seven novels were held by the same company. Three prior films, 2005's 'The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe,' 2008's 'Prince Caspian' and 2010's 'The Voyage of the Dawn Treader' were adapted at 20th Century and Disney. Gerwig's untitled 'Narnia' film is expected to open in Imax around Thanksgiving Day 2026. The movie will screen worldwide exclusively on the company's premium large format screens for two weeks in advance of its Netflix debut around Christmas. Mulligan has three Oscar nominations for her performances in Emerald Fennell's 'Promising Young Woman,' Bradley Cooper's Leonard Bernstein biopic 'Maestro,' and the coming-of-age drama 'An Education.' read more New Tourism Route To Launch in Old Cairo Ahmed El Sakka-Led Play 'Sayidati Al Jamila' to Be Staged in KSA on Dec. 6 Mandy Moore Joins Season 2 of "Dr. Death" Anthology Series Don't Miss These Movies at 44th Cairo Int'l Film Festival Today Amr Diab to Headline KSA's MDLBEAST Soundstorm 2022 Festival Arts & Culture Mai Omar Stuns in Latest Instagram Photos Arts & Culture "The Flash" to End with Season 9 Arts & Culture Ministry of Culture Organizes four day Children's Film Festival Arts & Culture Canadian PM wishes Muslims Eid-al-Adha News Egypt confirms denial of airspace access to US B-52 bombers News Ayat Khaddoura's Final Video Captures Bombardment of Beit Lahia News Australia Fines Telegram $600,000 Over Terrorism, Child Abuse Content Arts & Culture Nicole Kidman and Keith Urban's $4.7M LA Home Burglarized Sports Former Al Zamalek Player Ibrahim Shika Passes away after Long Battle with Cancer Sports Neymar Announced for Brazil's Preliminary List for 2026 FIFA World Cup Qualifiers News Prime Minister Moustafa Madbouly Inaugurates Two Indian Companies Arts & Culture New Archaeological Discovery from 26th Dynasty Uncovered in Karnak Temple Business Fear & Greed Index Plummets to Lowest Level Ever Recorded amid Global Trade War Arts & Culture Zahi Hawass: Claims of Columns Beneath the Pyramid of Khafre Are Lies
Yahoo
21-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Carey Mulligan joins cast of Greta Gerwig's Narnia adaptation
Carey Mulligan is reportedly in talks to join the cast of Narnia, Greta Gerwig's forthcoming adaptation of CS Lewis' The Chronicles of Narnia fantasy novel series. The first instalment of the Oscar-nominated director's two-part film series will be released for a two-week run in Imax theatres worldwide next November, before moving to Netflix on Christmas Day, 2026. Gerwig's film will be based on the sixth novel in Lewis' series, The Magician's Nephew, which is a prequel to the series and features the creation of Narnia by Aslan the lion, one thousand years before the events that take place in The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe. The Magician's Nephew follows two children, Digory and Polly, who are subject to the White Witch's fury after their uncle dabbles with magic. In huge casting news for Gerwig's first directorial project since 2023's record-breaking Barbie, Mulligan will play Digory's critically ill mother, per The Hollywood Reporter. Mulligan, considered by many the leading English star of her generation, has been nominated for the Best Actress Oscar three times for her performances in Bradley Cooper's Maestro (2023), Emerald Fennell's Promising Young Woman (2020) and Lone Scherfig's An Education (2009). Casting rumours have been flying about Narnia, with Meryl Streep reportedly in talks to voice Aslan. There's also been speculation that Daniel Craig will play the children's uncle and Barbie and Sex Education star Emma Mackey is set to play Jadis, the White Witch, following rumours that pop star Charli XCX was previously under consideration for the role. The Independent has contacted Netflix for comment. Published between 1950 to 1956, Lewis' bestselling book series chronicles the adventures of various children who are transported into the fictional world of Narnia. Three of the seven titles have been adapted for the big screen, including The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe (2005), Prince Caspian (2008) and The Voyage of the Dawn Treader (2010). Gerwig became attached to the new project in 2020, the same year her critically acclaimed Little Women adaptation was nominated for several Oscars. Before that, her solo directorial debut, Lady Bird (2017), also earned numerous Oscar nods. She has since continued to blaze trails in the film industry. In 2023, her Barbie comedy, starring Margot Robbie and Ryan Gosling, raked in over $1bn at the box office, making her the highest-grossing female director of all time.
Time of India
19-05-2025
- Business
- Time of India
Strategic myopia: Why India stumbles as China plans
V. Raghunathan is a former Director of the Schulich School of Business (India Program), York University, Toronto, a former professor at IIM Ahmedabad and a former President of ING Vysya Bank. A prolific author, he has written over 15 books, including the national bestseller Games Indians Play (Penguin). With more than 600 published papers and articles, his latest books include The Lion, The Admiral, and A Cat Called B. Uma Vijaylakshmi (Westland, 2025) and To Every Parent; To Every Child (Penguin, 2025) and Irrationally Rational: 10 Nobel Laureates Script the Story of Behavioural Economics (Penguin 2022), among others. LESS ... MORE It is worth reflecting on whether India, as a nation, operates with an integrated strategic mindset. Not in the superficial sense often invoked in political speeches or media panels but in the substantive understanding of long-term planning, policy consistency, and institutional coordination. As a large nation, do we think strategically in the long term, beyond the next elections or bureaucratic inertia? When contrasted with China, the answers appear sobering. For nearly half a century now, China has, over the last four decades, demonstrated a national agenda consistent with its priorities and ambitions. It pursues long-term strategic thinking and planning, integrates policies across domains, and maintains coherence in foreign and domestic goals. India, by contrast, has struggled to maintain focus and follow-through. We often announce projects with fanfare but fumble when it comes to implementation. Policies emerge without adequate inter-ministerial alignment. Our fragmented administration and political volatility frequently undermine our strategic intent. Let us take the infrastructure strategy––a keystone of national development and security. China's Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) has reshaped global geopolitics and reconfigured economic ties across national geographies. Their focussed investments in infrastructure—namely in roads, ports, railways, and energy corridors—have extended their influence through three continents: Asia, Africa, and Europe. India, meanwhile, has struggled to complete its own regional projects. The modest Indian initiative on India, the other hand, namely the Myanmar-Thailand Trilateral Highway, remains incomplete years after initiation, hobbled by funding scarcities, missing contractors, and lack of inter-governmental alignment. Another example is China's increasing influence in South Asia. It has become a key strategic player in our North, South, East, and West through sustained investment and engagement, namely in Nepal, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, and the Maldives. India's relationships with these same neighbours have often been reactive rather than proactive and marked by inconsistencies. While valuable, cultural diplomacy and historical ties have proven inadequate when weighed against China's economic leverage and infrastructure diplomacy. On the defence strategy front, the contrast continues. All across the Indo-China Himalayan border, China has built dual-use infrastructure, strengthening its logistical capabilities. China has established naval bases and logistical hubs from Djibouti to Gwadar, consolidating its strategic presence across the Indian Ocean. In contrast, while India has taken notable strides in recent years, we are, at best, a poor second to China when it comes to infrastructure and coordinated operational capability. Our roads, air strips, and logistics are all still vulnerable to bureaucratic bottlenecks and climatic disruptions. Digital infrastructure and technology present a similar dichotomy. China has invested heavily in artificial intelligence, quantum computing, surveillance technology, and space exploration. It sees these as foundational to future economic and military power. India has world-class talent and entrepreneurial energy but lacks coordinated investment and policy clarity. While initiatives like Digital India have helped expand access, no overarching national strategy is comparable to China's Made in China 2025 or its AI development plans. Even in space, which one of India's long-held strengths, the difference in scale and ambition is evident. China has successfully established its space station, undertaken crewed missions and embarked on deep space exploration projects. India's space agency, ISRO, while well-known for its frugality and cost-effective achievements, remains financially starved and overworked. Regulatory hurdles and insufficient political backing remain obstacles in their key decision-making areas. Nor is India's domestic policy landscape free of persistent inconsistencies. Recent developments relating to electric vehicles (EVs) make a good example of what not to do. : For instance, while we offered subsidies to the sector to encourage quick adoption, these efforts were frequently undermined by tax hikes or regulatory uncertainty, like restrictions and bans imposed on electric bike taxis. One may push for exports, while another imposes restrictions to meet unrelated objectives. Coordination is sporadic and usually crisis-driven. Unlike China, where strategic planning institutions such as the National Development and Reform Commission help align various arms of government, India has no comparable mechanism for cross-sectoral planning and implementation. Our foreign policy reveals a clear gap between ambition and execution. While the country envisions itself as lead voice in multilateral fora and sees itself as a rising global power, when it comes to turning that vision into reality, we typically fall short. While India may be persuasive on international platforms, it lacks the financial clout and strategic coherence to shape outcomes decisively. In contrast, China integrates its diplomacy with well-aligned economic and military strategies, consistently converting intent into tangible influence. It is easy to dismiss much of China's successes in their strategic planning to their authoritarian regime while chalking up our own lesser achievements to our democracy. But that would hardly be convincing. After all, democracies like Germany, South Korea, and others have shown that democracy does not necessarily conflict with long-term strategic planning. Russia is an example of an authoritarian regime with much less success than China. Whether a nation is dictatorial or democratic, what works is the robustness of institutions, consistency in strategic thinking, and sustained political commitment. India may have the capability, but it needs to overcome its internal contradictions and inertia. What is required is a cultural shift in governance: from ad hoc decision-making to deliberate planning, from fragmented action to coordinated strategy. We should expect our Planning Commission (Niti Ayog) to work in this direction. Ministries must communicate, policies must be stress-tested for coherence, and long-term goals must transcend electoral calculations. Civil-military synergy needs institutional backing. Someone must guide infrastructure projects to abide not only by local priorities but also by national security and economic strategy. There must also be a rethinking of how India approaches technology and industrial policy. Instead of reacting to global trends, India must proactively identify sectors of strategic importance and invest in building capabilities over time. Space, semiconductors, clean energy, and advanced manufacturing require incentives and integrated missions involving academia, industry, and government. If India is to be taken seriously by innovators, investors and strategic partners, we must be seen to be consistent and reliable. This is unlikely when we indulge in frequent policy changes, delayed and convoluted judicial decisions, retrospective legislation, regulatory unpredictability, and administrative opacity, and it damages our credibility. Clearly, we can't have strategic clarity without transparency and accountability. A strategic vision goes hand in hand with transparency and accountability. Frequent policy reversals, retrospective application of laws, delayed judicial orders, regulatory unpredictability, and bureaucratic opacity hurt India's credibility as a functioning and dependable nation. We lack neither ideas, nor talent, nor ambition. What it lacks is institutional alignment and strategic continuity. It must recognize that planning is not the enemy of innovation, and discipline is not the enemy of democracy. If India is to emerge as a global power in the decades ahead, it must move beyond slogans and announcements and instead build systems and strategies that endure. Strategy is not just about thinking big. It is about thinking ahead, thinking together, and thinking through. India must rise to this challenge—or risk being left behind by those who already have. Facebook Twitter Linkedin Email Disclaimer Views expressed above are the author's own.
Irish Daily Mirror
16-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Irish Daily Mirror
Chronicles of Narnia's cast now - from politics to Hollywood
This year marks the 75th anniversary of The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe, the inaugural book in C.S. Lewis' cherished Chronicles of Narnia series. Since its debut in 1950, the series has captivated generations of readers with its blend of fantasy, wartime fortitude, and spiritual allegory. The film trilogy from 2005 to 2010 brought this world to life for a new generation, combining pioneering visual effects with heartening performances from a largely unknown cast at the time. Many of the stars have since forged varied careers both on and off the screen - some venturing into Hollywood, others into politics and academia. Here's a look at what happened to the stars who made Narnia so magical: In her first acting role, Georgie portrayed Lucy, the youngest of the four siblings and the one who initiates their entire journey after accidentally discovering the world of Narnia through the wardrobe, reports the Daily Record. She played Lucy from ages 10 to 15, earning acting awards and critical praise for her performance. Concurrently, she had a minor role as the younger version of the title character in BBC's Jane Eyre. Following her success in Narnia, Georgie took on lead roles in Perfect Sisters (2014) - a crime drama about two Canadian girls who murder their mother - and The Sisterhood of Night (2015) - a teenage mystery thriller. She pursued English studies at the University of Cambridge, where she was involved in several plays and even dabbled in directing a short film. Since 2018, Georgie has had sporadic roles on TV and documentary films. She currently lives in London and identifies as queer. The most controversial of the four siblings - who traded his family's loyalty for some Turkish delight - hasn't shown much enthusiasm in maintaining his acting career since the series concluded, despite numerous award nominations and media acclaim. Instead, his academic achievements are quite remarkable. His lineage already suggested such aspirations: he's the great-great-great-grandson of Charles Darwin, the great-nephew of economist John Maynard Keynes, and part of a family tree brimming with Cambridge professors and Middle Eastern historians. On his mother's side, he is of Lebanese heritage and the grandson of writer and diplomat Cecil Hourani. He achieved a Double First in Middle Eastern Studies at Pembroke College, Cambridge, specialising in Arabic and Persian. His dissertation compared the teaching of history in Iran and Saudi Arabia, and he spent a year living in Beirut to perfect his colloquial Arabic. From 2015 to 2018, he served as a parliamentary adviser in the UK House of Commons, accompanying MPs on diplomatic visits across the Middle East and North Africa. Today, he is a political consultant and remains deeply involved in Middle Eastern policy. In his leisure time, Skandar enjoys playing the guitar, flute and cornet, running marathons, engaging in extreme sports, and supporting conservation projects globally. Anna Popplewell played Susan Pevensie, the second eldest sibling known for her logical thinking and maturity - characteristics that often conflicted with the magic and wonder of Narnia. Her performance across three films garnered her a dedicated fan base and a nomination for a Young Artist Award. At the time of her Narnia casting, Anna had already gained experience in period dramas, including Girl with a Pearl Earring and Love in a Cold Climate. Post-Narnia, Anna featured in the war romance Me and Orson Welles (2008) and starred as Lady Lola in the CW's Reign from 2013 to 2016 - a role that marked her transition into more mature, politically driven narratives. She has also lent her voice to characters in video games and audio dramas, most recently appearing in The Left Right Game and Amazon's The Outlaws Scarlett and Browne. Beyond acting, Anna studied English Literature at Oxford's Magdalen College and has spoken publicly about the challenge of balancing academic life with a childhood spent on film sets. Although she is more selective with her on-screen roles these days, she continues to act on stage and in independent productions. Since taking on the role of Peter, the eldest Pevensie sibling, William has carved out a successful career in both film and television. During his time in Narnia, he bagged acting awards in the UK and across the globe for his portrayal of Peter, but that wasn't the end of his achievements. William landed roles in the action-packed thriller Run (2013), the adventure drama The Silent Mountain (2014) - where he was struck by lightning, leaving him with a scar on his arm - and the Hindi-language coming-of-age film Margarita with a Straw (2015). His second major role was in the E! Original series The Royals as Prince Liam, which he likened to "like (if) Prince Harry was thrown into being the next King of England. He basically is sort of a rebel.." Following this, he appeared in the chilling Friend Request (2016), the eerie My Sweet Audrina (2016), the dystopian The Veil (2017), among other successful ventures. Additionally, William starred in a music video for The Living Tombstone's 'Long Time Friends', and was romantically involved with Kelsey Asbille, whom he met on the set of Run, from 2012 until 2018. His latest appearance was in the supernatural horror flick Home Sweet Home Rebirth (2025), inspired by the 2017 Thai video game bearing the same title. In the role that endeared him to a younger audience, James McAvoy portrayed the faun Mr. Tumnus - Lucy Pevensie's initial friend in Narnia. Although already recognised in the UK for his television roles in Shameless and State of Play, The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe (2005) marked McAvoy's first significant Hollywood outing. James two years later, he catapulted into international fame with his BAFTA-nominated performance in Atonement (2007), followed by the action-packed thriller Wanted (2008) and the memorable portrayal of young Professor Charles Xavier in the X-Men prequels, which he embodied from 2011 to 2019. Whether on screen or stage, James has consistently opted for unpredictable and demanding roles - such as his lauded solo stage act in Cyrano de Bergerac (2019–2022) or his spine-chilling dual role in M. Night Shyamalan's Split (2016) and Glass (2019). He has been nominated for numerous BAFTAs and Olivier Awards, and is widely regarded as one of the UK's most esteemed actors. Away from the limelight, James has discreetly supported children's charities in both Scotland and Africa and currently resides in London with his wife, production assistant Lisa Liberati. Already a captivating enigma in British cinema, Tilda Swinton brought a chilling threat to her portrayal of the antagonist Jadis, the White Witch of Narnia. Tilda's career took off with experimental films and collaborations with Derek Jarman, before she gained international recognition for roles in Orlando (1992), The Deep End (2001), and The Chronicles of Narnia. In 2008, she bagged an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress for Michael Clayton, and has since carved a niche for herself by opting for ambitious, art-house projects like We Need to Talk About Kevin (2011), Only Lovers Left Alive (2013), and numerous collaborations with Wes Anderson. A virtuoso of transformation, Tilda has embodied characters of various ages, genders and species, often blurring the boundaries between performance and performance art. She's also been outspoken about her Scottish roots, her unconventional approach to gender, and her commitment to experimental cinema. She now resides in the Highlands of Scotland and works worldwide on films that span from indie projects to Marvel blockbusters like Doctor Strange (2016). Entrusted with voicing one of the most iconic characters in children's literature, Liam Neeson took on the role of Aslan, the noble lion and spiritual guide of Narnia. Prior to Narnia, Liam had already become a familiar name owing to Oscar-nominated roles in Schindler's List (1993), Michael Collins (1996), and Star Wars: The Phantom Menace (1999). After his stint with Aslan, he enjoyed an unexpected resurgence as an action hero in the Taken trilogy (2008–2014), which reshaped his career and public persona. He continued to feature in a host of thrillers, from The Grey (2011) to Non-Stop (2014), whilst also taking on character-centric dramas and lending his voice to animated films like The Lego Movie. Hailing from Northern Ireland, he has openly discussed his Catholic upbringing, the tragic loss of his wife Natasha Richardson in 2009, and his enduring commitment to human rights.
