FilmmakerGreta Gerwig’s highly anticipatedLittle Womenadaptation is moving quickly, but a casting switcheroo is taking place before cameras roll. Word broke in June that theLady Birddirector was eyeing an adaptation of theLouisa May Alcottbook for her next project, with an all-star cast lined up.Meryl Streep,Emma Stone,Saoirse Ronan, andTimothee Chalametwere part of that initial lineup, withLaura Dern,Florence Pugh, andSharp ObjectsbreakoutEliza Scanlenbeing added to the cast in subsequent weeks.
But nowVarietyreports that Stone has had to drop out of the project for unknown reasons, and Sony Pictures has moved quickly to secureEmma Watsonas her replacement. Variety says it’s unknown what role Stone was to play, but IMDb listed her as filling the role of Meg March, so it’s possible that’s who Watson will be playing.
TheHarry Potteractress made a triumphant return to blockbuster filmmaking last year with Disney’s smash hitBeauty and the Beastand also starred in theDave EggersadaptationThe Circle, which was less than a smash. Watson has been careful in choosing roles followingPotterand also juggles her own studies and charity work, so signing on toLittle Womenwas no flippant decision.
Gerwig was in high demand after the immense success of her directorial debutLady Bird, and it was delightful to see her cash in her chips so to speak on a star-studded adaptation of a classic novel. Production onLittle Womenis expected to begin next month, withAmy Pascal,Denis Di Novi, andRobin Swicordproducing.
As for Stone, while it’s a bummer she won’t be working with Gerwig, she’ll be just fine. She co-stars inYorgos Lanthimos’The Favouritelater this year, stars oppositeJonah HillinCary Fukunaga’s Netflix limited seriesManiac, and is set to shoot the long-awaitedZombieland 2next year.
