Saoirse Ronan and Meryl Streep in talks for Little Women remake

Columbia Pictures is set to produce the long-awaited remake of Little Women, the classic novel by Louisa May Alcott. First published in 1868, the story follows a group of sisters on their path from teenhood to adulthood. The March sisters (Meg, Jo, Beth and Amy) have strikingly different personalities and they must learn to adjust to each other’s changing lives. Set in Massachusetts following the American Civil War, the four “little women” must adapt to poverty, relationships and motherhood.

This isn’t the first time the story has been adapted for the big screen. Two silent films were released in 1918 and 1919; followed by four sound versions throughout the twentieth century. Modern adaptations were also made for TV in Japan, India, the United States and the United Kingdom. However, this new remake is expected to be the best one yet.

“It’s a story about positive female relationships, a feminine thirst for knowledge, and a woman trying to rise above the patriarchal ranks of a male-dominated writing field.”

According to entertainment magazine Variety, the new Little Women movie will have an all-star cast including Saoirse Ronan, Meryl Streep, Emma Stone, and Timothee Chalamet. It has not yet been revealed which actor will play which part, but it’s expected Meryl Streep is wanted for the role of Marmee (the March girls’ mother). What’s more, Greta Gerwig (the woman behind Oscar-nominated Ladybird) is set to take the director’s seat.

As for the production team, Variety names Amy Pascal (behind The Post and Spider-Man: Homecoming); Denise Di Novi (behind Crazy, Stupid Love and Edward Scissorhands); and Robin Swicord (behind Matilda and The Curious Case of Benjamin Button).

The news is being well-received online, with many fans taking to Twitter to express their delight. “I’m ok with the never-ending parade of Little Women adaptations,” one person said. “It’s a story about positive female relationships, a feminine thirst for knowledge, and a woman trying to rise above the patriarchal ranks of a male-dominated writing field. It’s never not relevant.” See some of the other reactions below:

i’m ok with the never-ending parade of LITTLE WOMEN adaptations. it’s a story about positive female relationships, a feminine thirst for knowledge, and a woman trying to rise above the patriarchal ranks of a male-dominated writing field. it’s never not relevant.

— lindsey romain (@lindseyromain) June 29, 2018

Just read that apparently Greta Gerwig (Director of Lady Bird) is looking to cast Saoirse Ronan, Meryl Streep and Emma Stone in her adaption of Little Women… If those three get signed on, that’s gonna be a hella sweet movie..

— Ryan Keep (@BaGoDoRK) June 29, 2018

are you saying that we might get an adaptation of little women starring nothing but timothée, saoirse, emma, meryl and greta as the movie’s director? the power that it has, the influence that it has… please god MAKE IT HAPPEN pic.twitter.com/7qz0CLEpZi

— sue (@caIImbyourname) June 29, 2018