When people ask who played Matilda in the movie, they’re usually thinking of one of two very specific faces. For the 90s kids, it’s the wide-eyed, bowl-cut-rocking Mara Wilson. For the newer generation, it’s Alisha Weir, the powerhouse from the 2022 musical.
Mara Wilson was basically the face of childhood in the mid-90s. She wasn’t just Matilda; she was the kid from Mrs. Doubtfire and Miracle on 34th Street. But playing Matilda Wormwood was different. It wasn't just another role. It became a cultural touchstone. Danny DeVito, who directed and starred in the 1996 film, reportedly looked at countless children before realizing Wilson had that specific blend of "old soul" and genuine vulnerability.
The 1996 Original: Mara Wilson’s Iconic Performance
Mara Wilson was only nine when the movie hit theaters. She didn't just act; she channeled a very specific kind of quiet resilience that Roald Dahl wrote about. Honestly, her performance is the reason the movie still holds up today. Most child actors at the time were directed to be "big" and "theatrical." Wilson went the other way. She was internal. She made you believe she was actually moving those Cheerios with her mind.
The filming of Matilda was actually a pretty heavy time for her. Her mother, Suzie Wilson, was diagnosed with breast cancer during production. Danny DeVito and Rhea Perlman (who played the awful Wormwood parents) were actually incredibly kind to her off-screen, basically becoming her surrogate family while her mom was in the hospital. DeVito even showed Mara's mother a post-production cut of the film before she passed away, just so she could see her daughter’s achievement. That’s the kind of stuff you don't see on the DVD extras.
Wilson's Matilda wasn't just a superhero. She was a lonely kid who found a lifeline in books. That resonated. It still resonates. Even though Wilson eventually stepped away from the massive Hollywood spotlight to focus on writing, her version of the character remains the definitive one for millions.
The New Era: Alisha Weir in Matilda the Musical (2022)
Fast forward a few decades. Sony and Netflix decided to bring the Tim Minchin musical to the big screen. The question of who played Matilda in the movie shifted to Alisha Weir.
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Weir was about 11 or 12 when she took on the role. This wasn't just about acting; she had to belt out "Naughty" and "Quiet" while doing intense choreography. If Mara Wilson was the "quiet thinker," Alisha Weir was the "revolutionary." The musical version of the character is much more defiant. She's a fighter. Weir had to carry a massive ensemble of kids through some of the most complex musical numbers seen in recent years.
Director Matthew Warchus mentioned in several interviews that they saw thousands of girls. Weir stood out because she didn't feel like a "stage school" kid. She felt real. She had a bit of grit.
Why the Casting Matters So Much
You can't just put any kid in this role. The "Matilda" character is a weird mix of hyper-intelligence and total innocence. If the actor is too precocious, the audience hates them. If they’re too shy, the movie has no engine.
- Mara Wilson brought a sense of magical realism.
- Alisha Weir brought the energy of a Broadway powerhouse.
There's also the stage legacy. While we're talking about movies, we can't ignore the rotating "Matildas" on West End and Broadway. Kerry Ingram and Eleanor Worthington Cox were among the first to win Olivier Awards for the role. In the theater world, the role is so demanding that usually four different girls share it, rotating performances to avoid burnout. In a movie, one kid has to do it all, every single day, for months.
The Trunchbull Factor: The People Matilda Had to Stand Up To
Matilda is only as good as her villain. In 1996, Pam Ferris played Agatha Trunchbull. She was terrifying. She actually stayed in character on set to make sure the kids were genuinely a little bit intimidated by her. It worked. When you see Mara Wilson looking scared, there’s a 10% chance she actually was.
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In 2022, Emma Thompson took the reigns. It was a completely different vibe—prosthetics, heavy singing, and a more "cartoonish" but still sinister energy. Alisha Weir had to hold her own against an Academy Award winner buried under layers of rubber and tweed.
What Happened to the Matildas?
It's always interesting to see where child stars go. Mara Wilson is now a successful author and voice actress. She wrote a great book called Where Am I Now? True Stories of Girlhood and Accidental Fame. She’s been very open about the struggles of being a child star and why she chose to leave the "A-list" life behind. She’s become a bit of a hero for people who felt like "gifted" kids who burned out early.
Alisha Weir is still early in her career. Since Matilda, she’s moved into horror with the movie Abigail, proving she’s got a lot more range than just singing about "revolting children."
Key Differences Between the Two Movie Matildas
| Feature | Mara Wilson (1996) | Alisha Weir (2022) |
|---|---|---|
| Vibe | Observational, quiet, magical | Bold, vocal, defiant |
| Main "Weapon" | Telekinesis (eyes) | Storytelling and Song |
| Age during filming | 9 years old | 11-12 years old |
| Background | American (playing a character in a US setting) | Irish (playing a character in a UK setting) |
The 1996 movie actually moved the setting to the United States, which was a huge point of contention for some Roald Dahl purists. The 2022 version brought it back to England (and filmed in Ireland), staying closer to the original book’s atmosphere, even if the musical format was a departure.
The Misconceptions About the Role
One big thing people get wrong is thinking that the girl who played Matilda also played other famous 90s roles. No, Mara Wilson was not the girl in The Parent Trap (that was Lindsay Lohan) and she wasn't in Spy Kids (Alexa PenaVega). People tend to lump all 90s child actresses together in one nostalgic bucket.
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Another misconception: that the telekinesis was all CGI. In 1996, they used a lot of "practical effects." When the chalk writes on the board, there were magnets and wires involved. Mara Wilson actually had to "act" to nothing quite a bit, which is hard for a kid.
How to Revisit the Matilda Legacy
If you're looking to dive back into these performances, there are a few ways to do it properly. Don't just watch the movies; look at the context of when they were made.
- Watch the 1996 film first to see the blueprint for the character's heart.
- Listen to the Matilda the Musical soundtrack before watching the 2022 movie. It helps you understand the "internal monologue" that Alisha Weir is portraying.
- Read Mara Wilson's essays. She’s written extensively for The New York Times and other outlets about her time on set. It adds a layer of humanity to the movie that you won't get from just watching the scenes.
Ultimately, whether you prefer the 1996 classic or the 2022 musical, the answer to who played Matilda in the movie is more than just a name. It’s a legacy of two very different girls who managed to capture the essence of what it feels like to be small, smart, and totally underestimated.
To truly appreciate the casting, compare the "Quiet" sequence in the musical to the "Library" scenes in the 1996 film. Both actresses use their eyes to convey a level of intelligence that most adults struggle to mimic on screen. It’s a rare feat of casting that has happened twice for the same character, which almost never happens in Hollywood.
Next Steps for Fans of Matilda:
- Check out the 30th Anniversary interviews: Mara Wilson and Danny DeVito have recently done several retrospective interviews that detail the "chocolate cake" scene secrets.
- Explore the West End Cast recordings: If you liked Alisha Weir, listen to the original London cast to hear how the role was first interpreted for the stage.
- Track Alisha Weir's new projects: Her transition from "Matilda" to more mature roles in the horror and thriller genres is a fascinating career shift to watch.