Greta Gerwig's follow-up to her Oscar-nominated "Lady Bird" is shaping up to be the starriest project on the block: Laura Dern is reportedly in talks to join the writer-director's adaptation of classic novel "Little Women."

The film already has a murder's row of Oscar winners and critical darlings attached or currently in negotiations to star. They include Meryl Streep (playing the family matriarch, Marmee), Emma Stone (eldest sister Meg), Saoirse Ronan (feisty aspiring author Jo), Timothee Chalamet (Laurie, the dreamy boy next door), Florence Pugh, and James Norton.

Now, The Hollywood Reporter says that Dern is set to join their ranks. No word yet on which character from Louisa May Alcott's book she will be playing. She's currently shooting season two of HBO's "Big Little Lies," which also features Streep.

In addition to directing, Gerwig is also adapting Alcott's work for the screenplay. The novel has inspired numerous films and TV projects over the years, including a recent Masterpiece Theater series; a 1933 feature with Katharine Hepburn as Jo; and a 1994 big screen outing starring Winona Ryder, Kirsten Dunst, Claire Danes, Christian Bale, and Susan Sarandon.

Based on its insane cast list alone, we think this new take may just give the beloved '90s version a serious run for its money. Stay tuned for more intel as it becomes available.

[via: The Hollywood Reporter]