Little Women Cast Comparisons

Here's How the 2019 Cast of 'Little Women' Compares to the Cast from the 1994 Remake and 1949 Film

Seven decades after the 1949 film made its debut and 25 years after its 1994 remake, Greta Gerwig is breathing new life into Little Women

Andrea Wurzburger

Published on August 14, 2019 02:02PM EDT

01 of 10

Spoilers Ahead!

If you haven't read or seen Little Women, proceed with caution. We don't want to pull a Rachel from Friends, if you know what we mean ...

02 of 10

Saoirse Ronan (2019), Winona Ryder (1994) and June Allyson (1949) as Jo March

Saoirse Ronan, Winona Ryder and June Allyson as Jo March — Sony Pictures; Everette Collection; Hulton Archive/Getty Images

Ronan is portraying the headstrong Jo, an aspiring writer who doesn't want to play by society's rules. She's the tomboy of the bunch with a temper she struggles to control, but she's also fiercely loyal and hardworking. Ryder earned an Oscar nomination for her role — will Ronan follow in her footsteps?

03 of 10

Timothée Chalamet (2019), Christian Bale (1994) and Peter Lawford (1949) as Theodore "Laurie" Laurence

Timothée Chalamet, Christian Bale and Peter Lawford as Theodore "Laurie" Laurence — Sony Pictures; Everette Collection; Donaldson Collection/Getty Images

It looks like "good hair" is a main qualifier for this role. That and, obviously, superb acting skills. Chalamet is stepping into the role of Laurie, Jo March's best friend who is not-so-secretly in love with her. Jo turns down Laurie's proposal and he eventually ends up with *gasp* Amy.

04 of 10

Emma Watson (2019), Trini Alvarado (1994) and Janet Leigh (1949) as Meg March

Emma Watson, Trini Alvarado and Janet Leigh as Meg March — Sony Pictures; Everette Collection; Hulton Archive/Getty Images

Watson takes on the eldest March sister, previously played by Alvarado and Leigh. Meg is considered the most beautiful of the bunch, and is also considered a perfect "little woman" — you know, like the title?

05 of 10

Meryl Streep (2019), Mary Wickes (1994) and Lucile Watson (1949) as Aunt March

Meryl Streep, Mary Wickes and Lucile Watson as Aunt March — Sony Pictures; Everette Collection; Tim McCleary/Getty Images

Aunt March looms large in the March household, as she is the rich widow who controls, well, pretty much everything. On the outside, she's harsh and no-nonsense, but she's secretly a bit of a softie. This part was practically tailor-made for Streep, who follows in the footsteps of Wickes and Watson.

06 of 10

James Norton (2019), Eric Stoltz (1994) and Richard Stapley (1949) as John Brooke

James Norton, Eric Stoltz and Richard Stapley as John Brooke — Karwai Tang/WireImage; Everette Collection; Getty Images

Brooke is Laurie's tutor who eventually falls in love with Meg. Together, the pair defy Aunt March and marry, later becoming parents to twins. Norton will play John, who was previously played by Stoltz and Stapley.

07 of 10

Florence Pugh (2019), Kirsten Dunst (1994) and Elizabeth Taylor (1949) as Amy March

Florence Pugh, Kirsten Dunst and Elizabeth Taylor as Amy March — Sony Pictures; Everette Collection; Hulton Archive/Getty Images

Amy is the baby of the family, and therefore given everything she wants (we're still mad that Aunt March took her to Paris instead of Jo). Originally portrayed by Taylor in 1949 and Dunst (as the young Amy; grown-up Amy was played by Samantha Mathis) in 1994, Amy gets her happy ending, marrying Laurie.

08 of 10

Eliza Scanlen (2019), Claire Danes (1994) and Margaret O’Brien (1949) as Beth March

Eliza Scanlen, Claire Danes and Margaret O’Brien — Sony Pictures; Everette Collection; Hulton Archive/Getty Images

Scanlen is the latest actress to take on the role of poor, sweet Beth. Beth's plotline involves contracting scarlet fever, so you can only imagine that it doesn't end happily for her.

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Louis Garrel (2019), Gabriel Byrne (1994) and Rossano Brazzi (1949) as Friedrich Bhaer

Louis Garrel, Gabriel Byrne and Rossanno Brazzi as Friedrich Bhaer — Daniele Venturelli/Getty Images; Everette Collection; Mondadori/Getty Images

Garrel takes on the role of Bhaer, a role previously played by Bryne in 1994 and Brazzi in 1949. Bhaer is a German professor who meets Jo while she is in New York City, pursuing her writing career. He takes her to the opera, teaches her philosophy and pushes her to become a better writer. Swoon!

10 of 10

Laura Dern (2019), Susan Sarandon (1994) and Mary Astor (1949) as Marmee March

Laura Dern, Susan Sarandon and Mary Astor as Marmee March — Sony Pictures; Everette Collection; Donaldson Collection/Getty Images

Strong, capable and loving, Marmee is the girls' mother and head of the household while her husband is off fighting in the Civil War. Dern assumes the shawl previously worn by Sarandon and Astor.

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