The March sisters have a new leading lady, and she’s already used to a bit of magic.
Emma Watson is officially joining the cast of director Greta Gerwig’s upcoming adaptation of Little Women, PEOPLE can confirm. The Harry Potter alum is stepping into a role previously earmarked for Oscar winner Emma Stone, who reportedly had to pass on the project due to scheduling conflicts.
The news has sent social media into a frenzy, with fans on X (formerly Twitter) and Instagram celebrating the “Emma-for-Emma” swap. While it’s always hard to lose a star like Stone, the internet seems more than happy to welcome Watson back to the world of period dramas.
While the specific roles are still being kept under wraps by the studio, industry insiders suggest Watson will likely take over the role of Meg, the eldest March sister.
Meg was the character Stone was originally set to portray, and it’s a fit that makes total sense for Watson. After all, she recently enchanted audiences worldwide as Belle in Disney’s live-action Beauty and the Beast.
Watson joins what might be the most star-studded cast of the year. Gerwig is staging a major Lady Bird reunion by bringing back Saoirse Ronan and Timothée Chalamet.
The talent doesn’t stop there. The film also stars Meryl Streep, Big Little Lies standout Laura Dern, Sharp Objects actress Eliza Scanlen, and Florence Pugh.
Currently, the buzz suggests Ronan will take on the iconic role of the headstrong Jo March, while Pugh is set to play the youngest sister, Amy, and Scanlen will portray the tragic Beth.
Since her days at Hogwarts, Watson has been notoriously selective about her roles. She has gravitated toward filmmaker-driven projects like Sofia Coppola’s The Bling Ring and Darren Aronofsky’s Noah.
Joining a Greta Gerwig project seems like a natural next step for the actress. Gerwig, who earned critical acclaim for Lady Bird, is known for her sharp, emotional takes on womanhood and coming-of-age stories.
Though Louisa May Alcott’s beloved novel was first published in the s, fans are eager to see how Gerwig handles its timeless themes of class, sisterhood, and ambition.
With a cast this powerful and a director this visionary, Christmas can’t come soon enough.
Would you like me to look up the official release schedule for the Little Women press tour or more details on the cast’s upcoming projects?
