At this year’s Comic Con, one of the biggest, buzziest moments was definitely the cast announcement for the upcoming Avengers film. It boasts a helluva lot of big names and one awesome director/writer, Joss Whedon, who’s known for creating some of the past couple decades’ most prominent heroines (Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Dollhouse’s Echo). So why is it that Mr. Whedon’s A-list cast only has one leading lady? Sure, I appreciate Scarlett Johansson’s presence, but I’m not the only one disappointed in the lack of estrogen here. And with Green Lantern, Thor, Green Hornet, and so many other man-lead superhero flicks set for release, it seems there’s hardly a future for superchicks. So in honor of heroines everywhere, I’ve put together the top ten Superwomen (both superhero and supernatural) that I’d like to see team up to save the world. Take note, Hollywood!
1. Lara Croft (Angelina Jolie)
While Lara Croft doesn’t have any inherent superpowers, at this point, being portrayed by Angelina Jolie is a superpower in itself. Angelina flawlessly takes the Tomb Raider from video game to cinema blockbuster, proving yet again that Angie is not someone to be messed with. Lara Croft is certainly not joking around when the time to kick ass comes, and it’s a joy to watch her enemies learn this the hard way. A small note to Hollywood: should a Wonder Woman movie ever get made, I sincerely hope you consider Angelina Jolie as the titular supergirl. What else must she do to prove to America that she is, and always will be, a real life Wonder Woman?
2. Sookie Stackhouse (Anna Paquin)
Anna Paquin may have a couple superheroines under her belt, but since her X-Girl Rogue’s power is simply to suck the living daylights out of anything around her, I’m opting instead for True Blood’s Sookie Stackhouse on the ultimate super-team. Sookie may be a mind reader with abilities even she doesn’t know she has (why, hello there, shiny blue repellant light), but it’s her unwavering love for those around her that makes her truly special. Sure, she certainly doesn’t win every fight she picks, but Sookie never stops trying- even when saving the ones she cares for means putting her own life in danger. And dear lord, is Sookie’s life almost always in danger.
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3. Kitty Pryde/Shadowcat (Ellen Page)
Kitty Pryde has been played by three different actresses in all three X-Men films, but the one that stuck was Ellen Page, making her American blockbuster debut in X-Men: The Last Stand. Kitty is one of the littlest X-Men, but her ability to walk through walls, or just about anything, for that matter, makes her one of the supergroup’s biggest assets. And, of course, casting Ellen Page as the latest Shadowcat didn’t hurt either. Kitty Pryde maybe had all of ten seconds in the previous two films, whereas Ellen’s Kitty is fighting evil from the get-go, and only gets fiercer as the film progresses.
4. Buffy the Vampire Slayer (Sarah Michelle Gellar)
Buffy the Vampire Slayer didn’t wear a costume, but to say she wasn’t a superhero would be blasphemy. For seven years Buffy led a team of misfits against every kind of evil imaginable - she literally lived on the Hellmouth- and never stopped fighting. Sure, she died a couple times, but for Buffy death was just a scratch. Right before the nation’s eyes, Buffy grew from a reluctant teenager with a calling to a powerful, courageous warrior who somehow managed to raise a little sister, maintain a job, and save the world all at the same time. While Buffy the Vampire Slayer could officially be classified as sci-fi, it also provided some of the most real and beautiful moments television has to offer- not to mention a hell of a whole lot of badass girl power.
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(continued)5. Patience Phillips/Catwoman (Halle Berry)
Catwoman certainly wasn’t the world’s most acclaimed film, but Halle Berry definitely made that cat suit her own. Although cat-tasticness doesn’t exactly seem like the fiercest of superpowers, Catwoman pummels through villain after villain, all while wearing a skin-tight leather cat-stume and holding on to a sense of humor. Catwoman also has the distinction of being one of the few solely female-helmed superhero movies to come out in recent memory. Cheers also to Halle Berry for staying in the superheroine game for so long. Between Catwoman and X-Men’s Ororo Munroe (AKA Storm), she practically owns it.
6. Mindy McCready/Hit Girl (Chloe Moretz)
While Chloe Moretz isn’t old enough to even buy a ticket to Kick Ass, her character Hit Girl earned practically more buzz than the entire film itself. As the tiny, purple-haired assassin with a sailor’s mouth and the ability to kill numerous thugs without breaking a sweat, Hit Girl makes Kick Ass look, well, a whole lot less kick ass. A young child spewing F-bombs like a pro isn’t exactly acceptable in today’s society, but that’s what makes Hit Girl so awesome. She’s the anti-acceptable- a little girl who was practically born with a gun in her hand, and who’s certainly not afraid to use it. Expect great things from Chloe Moretz- she’s definitely proved herself as one to watch out for.
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7. Selene (Kate Beckinsale)
Edward Cullen Who? Cinema’s hottest vampire is easily Kate Beckinsale’s Selene, a member of the undead who has certainly not let death slow her down. Selene has the distinction of being one of the strongest, most important warriors in the battle between vampires and werewolves - and not those Twilight underwear model werewolves, either. The Underworld series has never failed to provide moviegoers with some of the most stylishly intense battle scenes around, and Selene, brooding to perfection, is a master at singlehandedly tearing her enemies to shreds. Stephanie Meyer, take note: your vampires could have been this awesome.
8. Claire Bennet (Hayden Panettiere)
Sure Heroes may have crashed and burned towards the end, but “Save the Cheerleader, Save the World” will always be one of TV’s most memorable slogans, and Claire Bennet one of its most memorable cheerleaders. Representing one of Heroes’ few female presences, Hayden’s Claire was tough, smart, and a true leader- not to mention completely indestructible. Also, you just have to give kudos to anyone who can get themselves off an operating table after officially dying, seal their guts up, and sneak out completely under the radar. Saving the cheerleader wasn’t not have been enough to save Heroes, but Claire Bennet could definitely use a sequel.
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9. Susan Storm (Jessica Alba)
Jessica Alba’s always a welcome presence, in my opinion, and even though she probably won’t be winning any Academy Awards any time soon, she certainly did the Fantastic Four’s invisible beauty Susan Storm justice. After all, Jessica already proved herself an uber-heroine as Dark Angel’s Max Guevera, a genetically engineered super warrior in post-apocalyptic Seattle. The show didn’t do so well (see the premise), but the Fantastic Four did, even earning itself a sequel. And yes, the sequel may not have been either good or necessary, but, as far as I see it, more screen time for Jessica is never something whine about.
10. Elasti-Girl (voiced by Holly Hunter)
A kids’ movie that’s funny, heartwarming, and action-packed seems like it would be pretty hard to achieve. However, Pixar’s The Incredibles managed to be all these things and more, creating one of the most memorable family films in a while. However, the Parr family of superheroes would not have survived their dangerous journey without the help of Helen Parr: loving parent/stretchy super-mom. Even in the most ridiculously unfortunate of times, Helen puts her family first, although she doesn’t refrain from whipping out her elastic skills whenever necessary. And the best bonus? Helen’s got the distinct and incredibly expressive voice of the spectacular Holly Hunter. Dear Pixar, a live action version of The Incredibles would be welcome any day...
Read more of Rebekah's stories here.
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