Over the years we have seen a rise of fearless females standing out in the cinematic world, but only recently have strong women become an absolute staple in all noteworthy films.
From smart scientists to expert assassins, commanding roles are necessary to prove that women can be as bad-ass as the guys, and a certain number of actresses regularly line up to portray them.
Natalie Portman has displayed her range in a number of incredibly nuanced roles, and her latest performance in Jane Got a Gun is no exception. Telling the story of a woman fearlessly defending her ranch from a gang of menacing outlaws, the unique take on the normally testosterone-fuelled western genre is a breath of fresh air. As Jane Got a Gun comes to Digital Download on August 15 and DVD & Blu-Ray on August 22, we take a look at some of the great actresses that stand alongside her in their badass roles.
Uma Thurman
From Pulp Fiction to Gattica, Uma Thurman is no stranger to playing a role that allows her to be a total bad-ass. But it was her lead in the action-packed Kill Bill Vols 1 & 2 that made her the ultimate martial-arts heroine. A former assassin known as The Bride, she narrowly escapes her husband’s attempt to murder her and takes no prisoners as she makes revenge her ultimate mission. Broadening her battle, she vows to get even with anyone that has ever crossed her, becoming a feared, foremost female as she effortlessly attacks her hit-list.
Angelina Jolie
Jumping between successful dramatic and action-packed roles, but never skimping on the sass, Angelina Jolie could give anyone a run for their money with her library of enthralling performances including Girl, Interrupted, Changeling and Mr & Mrs Smith. First entering the mainstream as the infamous Lara Croft in Tomb Raider, she combined her beauty and brains in a high stakes adventure, fearlessly taking on a quest to save the world.
Zoe Saldana
Taking the title of ultimate sci-fi bad-ass, Zoe Saldana is not your average dangerous woman. In Guardians Of The Galaxy, the actress held her own as a deadly assassin in a rag tag group of outlaws. But with stand-out roles in films such as Avatar and Star Trek, playing characters that demonstrate incredible intelligence and passion to do the right thing, Saldana proves that a person to be feared consists of much more than macho muscles and deadly weapons.
Sigourney Weaver
From Ghostbusters to Avatar, Sigourney Weaver’s casting record proves her undeniable acting talents, but her most notable bad-ass role goes to Ellen Ripley in Alien. Often considered one of the most significant female protagonists in cinema, her performance led to an Oscar nomination for Best Actress. When a ship is attacked by a deadly alien determined to end the lives of everyone on board, crew member Ripley is left to fight back with her limited resources.
Natalie Portman
No stranger to a strong female role, Natalie Portman has impressed audiences and critics alike from a young age in films such as Leon, V For Vendetta and Black Swan. Her latest film, Jane Got A Gun, reveals why you should never mess with a woman protecting her family. When threatened by a conniving gang of outlaws, Jane doesn’t hesitate to risk it all in order to protect her home, showing an immense amount of resource and bravery to protect what’s hers.
JANE GOT A GUN COMES TO BLU-RAY AND DVD ON AUGUST 22
