Queerconic: 'The Runaways' cast, then and now
| 03/20/25
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Happy 15th Anniversary, The Runaways!
The Runaways cast including alia shawkat as Robin Robins Scout Taylor-Compton as Lita Ford stella maeve as Sandy West Kristen Stewart as Joan Jett Dakota Fanning as Cherie Currie
Sony Pictures
Dripping in all its '70s rock glory, The Runawayspremiered in theaters 15 years ago this week. Starring Kristin Stewart and Dakota Fanning, the film depicts the origins of two rebellious teens, Joan Jett (Stewart) and Cherie Currie (Fanning), who would eventually become the frontwomen for the Runaways. The band’s success is partly due to producer Kim Fowley (played by Michael Shannon), who would go on to make the band a huge success. But with fame comes the fury, as Jett and Currie’s relationship tests the band’s future.
There are no spoilers here, but the Runaways would go on to make their mark in mid-70s rock, forever a legendary band that would pave the way for future female rockers.
In honor of the 15th anniversary, let’s look back at the lead actresses and actors who made this film #Queerconic.
Kristen Stewart (Joan Jett)
Kristen Stewart as Joan Jett in The Runaways movie alongside 2025 red carpet walk and Photocall for Love Me on January 28 2025 in Los Angeles California.
Sony Pictures; Frazer Harrison/Getty Images
On the wave of her Twilight success, Stewart took on more diverse roles in both box and indie films. In addition to The Yellow Handkerchief, also released in 2010, she worked on Welcome to the Plays. Stewart, who took vocal lessons and learned to play instruments, received praise for embodying the iconic rocker's “tough-but-cool girl swagger.”
Stewart began dating her Twilight co-star, Robert Pattinson, the year prior. Several years later, in 2017, she came out as bisexual. As of 2025, she is currently engaged to screenwriter Dylan Meyer and remains a queer icon and acclaimed actor, portraying real and fictional characters from the late Princess Diana (Spencer,2020) to a reclusive gym lesbian gym manager (Love Lies Bleeding, 2024). This year, Stewart will make her directorial debut with The Chronology of Water, based on a memoir by Lidia Yuknavitch.
Dakota Fanning (Cherie Currie)
Dakota Fanning as Cherie Currie in The Runaways movie alongside 2025 Critics Choice Awards arrivals
Sony Pictures; Kathy Hutchins / Shutterstock
In addition to lending her voice to the animated film Coraline and starring in the sci-fi thriller Push, she joined her co-star by taking a role in the Twilight series in New Moon, with all three films released in 2009. Named one of the Most Valuable Young Stars by Forbes that same year, Dakota also prepared for her role with vocal lessons and learning instruments. As part of her research, she also took to the stage with punk rock band Living Things, telling The New York Timesat the time, “I had never sung with a band before and felt the power of something like that behind me.”
Dakota graduated from New York University in 2014 with a major in women’s studies, specializing in the intersectionality of women's portrayals in film and culture. She would launch a production company, Lewellen Pictures, with her sister Elle in 2021. Two years prior, Dakota and Elle starred in the 2019 film The Nightingale, based on the historical fiction novel by Kristin Hannah. Fanning continues to star in indie and blockbuster films, including a role in The Equalizer 3 (2023) and Netflix’s The Perfect Couple and Ripley, both released in 2024.
Riley Keough (Marie Currie)
Riley Keough as Marie Currie in The Runaways movie alongside 2025 Chanel Womenswear show Paris Fashion Week
Sony Pictures; Pascal Le Segretain/Getty Images
Keogh made her film debut in The Runaways as Marie Currie, the twin sister of Cherie (Fanning). She has taken on leading and supporting roles in various films over the years, from The Good Doctor (2011) to Magic Mike (2012) and Mad Max: Fury Road (2015). In 2016, she starred in the lesbian drama Lovesong and made her breakthrough role in the first season of The Girlfriend Experience, garnering praise and award buzz.
The daughter of the late Lisa Marie Presley, who passed in 2023, Keough finished her mother’s memoir, From Here to the Great Unknown, which was published last year. She’s been married to Australian stuntman Ben Smith-Peterson, whom she met on the set of Fury Road, and has a daughter born in 2022 via surrogate.Alia Shawkat (Robin Robins)
Alia Shawkat as Robin Robins in The Runaways movie alongside 2025 Sundance Film Festival Atropia Premiere
Sony Pictures; Cindy Ord/Getty Images
Alia Shawkat’s character in the film is fictional, based on the actual bassist, Jacqueline Fuchs, who chose not to release her rights. Shawkat was already a well-known name. She was best known for her role as Maeby Fünke in the television series Arrested Development. Alia continued to build her career in both television and film. She starred in the critically acclaimed series Search Party (2016-2022), where her portrayal of Dory Sief received widespread praise. Shawkey has also appeared in films such as Whip It (2009) and Being the Ricardos (2021), showcasing her versatility as an actress.
The bisexual actress is also a lover of music. She occasionally sings jazz songs her grandfather taught her. She has one child, a son, born in 2023.
Stella Maeve (Sandy West)
Stella Maeve as Sandy West in The Runaways movie alongside 2022 red carpet Premiere FX Mayans MC Los Angeles California
Sony Pictures; Robin L Marshall/WireImage
With her first feature role in 2005’s Transamerica and 2008’s Harold, Stella Maeve played Sandy West in the band. Following the film, she’s gone on to play several guest and recurring roles on television. She portrayed Nadia Decotis in Chicago P.D. and Julia Wicker in The Magicians, which garnered her critical acclaim and solidified her presence in the fantasy genre.
In 2020, she gave birth to a daughter, fellow actor Benjamin Wadsworth.
Scout Taylor-Compton (Lita Ford)
Scout Taylor-Compton as Lita Ford in The Runaways movie alongside 2022 World Premiere Halloween Ends Los Angeles California.
Sony Pictures; Tommaso Boddi/FilmMagic
Before the film, Scout Taylor-Compton was best known for her work in horror films, notably in Rob Zombie’s Halloween (2007) and Halloween II (2009). After The Runaways, she continued acting in independent films and television series. She appeared in 2005’s Nashville and 2016’s Gilmore Girls: A Year in the Life.
In 2024, she married actor Tom O’Connell.
Floria Sigismondi, Director
2010 Director Floria Sigismondi attends the after party for the Los Angeles premiere The Runaways movie alongside 2020 premiere The Turning at TCL Chinese Theatre
Jeff Vespa/WireImage; Jean Baptiste Lacroix/WireImage
Floria made her feature directorial debut with The Runaways. Before this, she directed music videos for artists from Marilyn Manson and David Bowie to Sarah McLachlan and The White Stripes. Following the film, Sigismondi continued her work in both film and television. She’s directed episodes of acclaimed series such as The Handmaid’s Tale and American Gods and directed the 2020 horror film The Turning, based on Henry James’s 1898 novella The Turn of the Screw.
She’s been married since 2004 to Lawrence Rothman of the band Living Things.
The Runaways movie cast
Sony Pictures
Like the iconic artists they portrayed, these women collectively continue to make significant contributions to the entertainment industry. From film to television, horror to comedy, each forges a unique and impactful path in their careers.
Stay Tuned for More Queerconic Moments Throughout the Year!
