Hollywood – Women In Trending

The weekend, Wonder Woman (2017) premiered beating box office expectations. This film mark the first time Wonder Woman appeared on the big screen. Also, note this film a woman directed this film and a non-American woman was the lead actress.

Patty Jenkins, the Director

patty-jenkins-director — Image Credit: Common Culture Cinema

Patty Jenkins (Patricia Lea Jenkins) was born on July 24, 1971 at George Air Force Base, Victorville, California. Jenkins received a Bachelor’s of Fine Arts in Painting from the Cooper Union in New York City, but she eventually transitioned to filmmaking. For eight years, she worked as a First Assistant Camera Person/Focus Puller. After attending the American Film Institute (AFI) in Los Angeles, she wrote and directed her hit film, Monster. Her film won several awards including several major awards in the category of ‘Best Actress’ and Best First Feature at the 2004 Independent Spirit Awards.

Since her success with Monster (2003), she has directed many commercials and TV programs including the pilot and finale AMC’s The Killing. In 2015, Jenkins signed on to direct Wonder Woman (2017) after fellow director Michelle MacLaren left the project. Jenkins took on the project facing industry stigma, pressure from fans, steep competition from Marvel, and the high budget of the film itself. She worked in stride to direct a film that is appealing across generations while fitting into the dark, gritty world of the DC Extended Universe.

When considering her inspiration for directing the role of Wonder Woman, Jenkins took inspiration from the character’s creator William Moulton Marston and how modern-day fans perceive her. In an interview with Buzzfeed, she said she was inspired by “the Wonder Woman that I see women dress up every year at Halloween as. … The reason I love Wonder Woman is how positive and wish-fulfillment-esque she is,” Jenkins explained. “She stands for positive things and love, yet she’s cool and sexy.”

Patty Jenkins is found on Twitter @PattyJenks.

Gal Gadot, Lead Actress

landscape-1458126516-gal-gadot-style-lead — Image Credit: Harper’s Bazaar UK

Gal Gadot was born in Rosh Ha’ayin, Israel to a Jewish family on April 30, 1985. Before she became an actress, Gadot served in the Israeli Defense Forces for two years as a fitness trainer. In 2004, she won the title of Miss Israel. Following her win, she began modeling in the late 2000’s. In 2009, she made her acting debut when she was casted as Giselle in Fast & Furious 4. She reprises her role in the Fast Five (2011) and Fast & Furious 6 (2013). In all the films, she was known for performing her own stunts.

In December 2013, Gadot landed the role of Wonder Woman in the Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice (2016). While the movie did not do well in the box office, her role as Wonder Woman was considered one of the best parts. Her portrayal as Wonder Woman continued Wonder Woman (2017), an origin story for the iconic DC hero. The solo film has already received great reviews. She will continue her role as Wonder Woman in the upcoming films, Justice League (2017) and Justice League Part Two.

Gadot considers the role of Wonder Woman is a privilege because of her iconic symbolism and values. Her daughters and other women close to her were the reasons why she took on the roll. Gadot said in an interview with Entertainment Weekly:

“I try not to think about being a role model; I try to be the best version of myself, period. For myself and for my daughter and for my family, friends. But I do love everything that Wonder Woman represents. She stands for love and compassion and acceptance and truth, and I think that those values are so important, especially nowadays with everything that’s going on in the world. I do believe that if each and every one of us had a little bit of Wonder Woman’s values, the world would be a better place.”

Gadot can be followed on Twitter @GalGadot, Instagram, Facebook, and her personal website.

For inspiration about the movie and Wonder Woman’s history visit here and here.

Agard, Chancellor, and K.C. Blumm. “From Miss Israel to Wonder Woman: What You Need to Know About Gal Gadot.” PEOPLE.com. Time Inc, 01 June 2017. Web. 05 June 2017. <http://people.com/movies/gal-gadot-what-to-know-about-wonder-woman-from-batman-v-superman/>.

Cheng, Susan. “Meet “Wonder Woman” Director Patty Jenkins – Again.” BuzzFeed. BuzzFeed, 2017. Web. 05 June 2017. <https://www.buzzfeed.com/susancheng/wonder-woman-patty-jenkins?utm_term=.hy7omVXE9#.hhXv5J9b8>.

IMDb. “Gal Gadot Biography.” IMDb. IMDb.com, 2017. Web. 05 June 2017. <http://www.imdb.com/name/nm2933757/bio?ref_=nm_ov_bio_sm>.

IMDb. “Gal Gadot.” IMDb. IMDb.com, 2017. Web. 05 June 2017. <http://www.imdb.com/name/nm2933757/>.

IMDb. “Patty Jenkins Biography.” IMDb. IMDb.com, 2017. Web. 05 June 2017. <http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0420941/bio>.

Kelley, Seth. “‘Wonder Woman’: How Patty Jenkins Saved the DC Extended Universe.” Variety. N.p., 04 June 2017. Web. 05 June 2017. <http://variety.com/2017/film/news/wonder-woman-box-office-analysis-patty-jenkins-warner-bros-1202453504/>.

McNiece, Mia. “Gal Gadot Felt ‘Privileged’ to Play Wonder Woman: ‘I Adore This Character’.” EW.com. Time Inc, 31 May 2017. Web. 05 June 2017. <http://ew.com/movies/2017/05/31/gal-gadot-chris-pine-wonder-woman/>.

On Friday, April 14, 2017, this year’s Star Wars Celebration, hosted in Orlando, Florida, held a cast panel on Star Wars: The Last Jedi (2017). This anticipated film is the latest installment of the famous franchise and will premiere on December 15, 2017. The cast has a number of actresses. From the well-known lead Rey played by Daisy Ridley to a new character, Rose, played by Kelly Marie Tran, this movie looks to be full of women in action fight for their side of the galaxy. (Note: Gwendoline Christie’s Captain Phasma is a member of the dark side.)

The cast members listed here were pulled from IMDb.com’s current cast list and will be updated when more information is released.

Daisy Ridley

Daisy Ridley was born on April 10, 1992 in London, England. She attended the Tring Park School for Performing Arts in Hertfordshire, England. She learned musical theater, dance, and singing. After she graduated in 2010, she played in several minor roles in television, film, and music. Ridley’s movie career took off after her role as Rey, the heroine of Star Wars: The Force Awakens (2015), gained acclaim. She will be reprising her role as the upcoming sequel. Beyond her part in the Star Wars franchise, Ridley enrolled in higher education courses in 2016. She is also acting in several upcoming movies including: Murder on the Orient Express (2017), A Woman of No Importance (date unknown); and Ophelia (date unknown).

Images from: Tech Times and Aint It Cool

Laura Dern

Laura Dern is joining the returning cast of Star Wars: The Last Jedi, but she did not attend the panel at the Star Wars Celebration. Her character has not been officially released. Rumors have stirred over the last week, if readers are curious. The title of her role will be posted here as soon as there is released confirmation.

Dern was born on February 10, 1967 in Los Angeles, CA. She made her film debut in White Lightening (1973) and received her first major role was in Foxes (1980). She then went on to gain roles in several famous films including: Blue Velvet (1986), Rambling Rose (1991), Jurassic Park (1993), and Wild (2014). In addition to film, she has secured several television roles including: Afterburn (1992), Ellen (1997), Recount (2008), Enlightened (2011-2013), and Big Little Lies (2017). Dern is also an award-winning actress having won or been nominated for several prestigious awards in film. They include two Oscars nominations, five Primetime Emmys nominations, and two Golden Globe nominations and four wins with the most recent 2012. She has few projects in the works including: Downsizing (2017) and Hard Powder (2018).

Laura Dern on Twitter: @LauraDern,

Image from: TV Line

Lupita Nyong’o

Lupita Nyong’o was born on March 1, 1983 in Mexico City, Mexico but grew up in Kenya where her father served as government minister and senator. She started in the film industry during her teen and college years serving as a production assistant and intern on sets of several films. In 2007, Nyong’o graduated with a Bachelor’s in film and African studies from Hampshire College in Amherst, MA. Her senior thesis, In My Genes (2009), a documentary on Kenyans living with albinism, was shown at the 2010 New York African Film Festival. Later in 2012, she returned to school to attend the Yale School of Drama, where she received her master’s in acting.

In 2013, Nyong’o’s film career took off when played a supporting role in a feature film, 12 Years a Slave, and won an Oscar for Best Supporting Actress. Nyong’o soon joined the cast of Star Wars: The Force Awakens (2015) to play the CGI character, Maz Kanata. When asked why she choose to play an off screen character, Nyong’o explained, “12 Years a Slave was a film that was so much about my body, and Star Wars is not at all. There was a liberation about being able to play in a medium where my body was not the thing in question.” (Buzzfeed News). Since then, Nyong’o has appeared in several films including: The Jungle Book (2016), and Queen of Katwe (2016). Upcoming films that she will seen be in are: Marvel’s Black Panther (2018) and Star Wars: Episode IX (2019).

Outside of film, Nyong’o took her acting skills to Broadway, performing in an off-Broadway drama called Eclipsed in 2015. Later she made her Broadway debut in 2016 when the play moved to the John Golden Theatre. Nyong’o was nominated for Tony Award for her role. Additionally, she has become a fashion icon appearing in major publications like InStyle and Vogue.

Lupita Nyong’o on Social Media: Twitter @Lupita_Nyongo, Instagram, Facebook,

Images from: Harpers Bazaar and Bitch Media

Carrie Fisher

Carrie Fisher was born on October 21, 1956, in Beverly Hills, CA. In 1975, Fisher made her film debut in the comedy, Shampoo. A few years later, she was cast in her most famous role as the iconic Princess Leia in Star Wars’ original trilogy (1977, 1980, and 1983). After struggling with alcohol, drug abuse, and mental illness in the 1980’s, Fisher returned to the spotlight as the author of the bestselling and award-winning book, Postcards from the Edge. She later adapted the book into a same-titled film starring Meryl Streep in 1990. She continued her career to play supporting roles in several movies, wrote and edited screenplays, and authored books and plays including The Best Awful There Is (2004), Wishful Drinking (2008), Shockaholic (2011), and The Princess Diarist (2016).

Most recently, Fisher returned to film to reprise her role as Princess, now General, Leia in Star Wars: The Force Awakens (2015) and Star Wars: The Last Jedi (2017). Additionally, Fisher spoke openly about her diagnosis with bipolar disorder and her struggles with addiction. She received Harvard College’s Annual Outstanding Lifetime Achievement Award in Cultural Humanism for her efforts. However, on December 27, 2016, she passed away from complications from a heart attack she suffered days before at the age of 60. Fisher had completed filming her part in the upcoming Star Wars film, but it is unknown how the studio will handle her absence future installments.

#MayTheForceBeWithHer #OurPrincess

Carrie Fisher’s Website

Images from: EW, StarWars.com, and Cinema Blend

Billie Lourd

Billie Lourd was born on July 17, 1992, in Los Angeles, CA to Carrie Fisher. Lourd graduated in 2014 from New York University before starting her acting career. She is best known for her role in the comedy/horror television series, Scream Queens (2015-2016). She plays Lieutenant Connix in Star Wars: The Force Awakens (2015) and will return in Star Wars: The Last Jedi (2017). In addition , Lourd will star in the upcoming movie, Billionaire Boys Club (2017).

Billie Lourd on Social Media: Instagram and Twitter @_praisethelourd

Images from: IMDb and comicbook.com

Kelly Marie Tran

Kelly Marie Tran is from San Diego and graduated from the University of California – Los Angeles (UCLA). She has had a long interest in acting and performing and began honing her skills in musical theater and by participating in improv groups. Tran has become recognized for her parts in web series, shorts, commercials, and occasional guest appearances. She may be best known for her roles in CollegeHumor Originals shorts. As the newest member, Tran joins the Star Wars: The Last Jedi cast as Rose, a maintenance worker in the Resistance and is slated to team up with one of the main characters, Finn, played by John Boyega (Independent). Her character was first revealed during the cast panel at the Star Wars Celebration.

Images from: Empire Online and Cinema Blend

Gwendoline Christie

Gwendoline Christie was born on October 28, 1978, in Sussex, England. She became interested in acting after she injured her back in gymnastics at a young age. At the age of 15, she played Lady Macbeth in Shakespeare’s Macbeth and set out to pursue her talent. Christie studied at the famous and rigorous Drama Center London and faced difficulty with securing roles due to her height. In 2005, she made her theater debut in a Royal Shakespeare Company performance of Great Expectations and went on to perform in other British productions. In 2009, she received her first role in a major film when she was cast in The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus. In 2012, Christie began playing in her best-known role as Brienne of Tarth, starting in the second season of the hit TV series, Game of Thrones (2011-Present). In 2015, she was cast Star Wars: The Force Awakens as Captain Phasma in, Star War’s first known female stormtrooper. She is returning to her role in The Last Jedi. Christie’s next known project is the upcoming sci-fi thriller, The Darkest Minds (2018).

Gwendoline Christie on Twitter @lovegwendoline

Images from: Vanity Fair and Huffington Post

Crystal Clarke

Crystal Clarke was born in Belleville, New Jersey. She went to the Newark Arts High School and graduated from the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland at Glasgow in 2014. Clarke landed her role as Ensign Goode, a Resistance member, in Star Wars: The Force Awakens (2015) after participating in an open casting call for aspiring actors. She and fellow cast member, Pip Anderson, were selected out of over 67,000 applicants. She will be returning to this role for Star Wars: The Last Jedi. Clarke has played parts in other recent films including Assassin’s Creed (2016) and The King’s Daughter (2017).

Images from: Star Wars Wikia and Star Wars Wikia

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