Here’s How These Iconic Heroines Have Evolved Over The Decades

It’s hard to go to the movies today without a choice of franchise, reboot, remake, sequel or prequels to whet your appetite. It’s inevitable, then, that some major characters will start to look a little different as they leap from one decade to the next or from big screen to small. But the following iconic heroines look so different now that we bet you won’t even recognize them! So, from Princess Leia to Catwoman, join us as we explore how these bad-ass female leads have evolved over the years.

39. Clarice Starling

FBI Academy student Clarice Starling was made famous by Jodie Foster in the 1991 adaptation of the Thomas Harris novel: The Silence Of The Lambs. Though she wouldn’t end up reprising the role. Ten years later Julianne Moore took on the part in Hannibal – the movie’s sequel. Most recently, Australian actress Rebecca Breeds played Agent Starling in the CBS series called Clarice.

38. Cleopatra

Cleopatra is, of course, an icon of history – not just movies. It’s little surprise, then, that the list of actresses who have portrayed her is longer than your arm! For not only has she been the central character, the figure has also had a supporting role in other stories depicting that period of Egyptian history. Vivien Leigh and Elizabeth Taylor are among the most famous stars to portray her. The earliest is thought to have been Helen Gardner in 1912 and most recently Lyndsey Marshal and Alessandra Negrini in 2007. Phew!

37. Lisbeth Salander

If the name Lisbeth Salander doesn’t ring any bells, then maybe you’ll have heard of The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo? The character has been played by several women through adaptations of Stieg Larsson’s Millennium series of novels. In the original trilogy, Noomi Rapace took on the role of this misfit computer hacker. Later incarnations were then played by Claire Foy and Oscar-winner Rooney Mara.

36. Elizabeth I

Elizabeth I’s life reads like a plot from a Hollywood movie in itself. So, it’s hardly a surprise that the British monarch’s story – along with that of her half-sister, Mary – has informed so many scripts for screens big and small. The roll call of actresses to have played the character is impressive, too. How about Katharine Hepburn, Bette Davis, Judi Dench, Cate Blanchette, Helen Mirren and Margot Robbie just for starters?