The assassination of President John F. Kennedy in 1963 was one of those moments that defined a generation. That this handsome, charismatic leader with a beautiful wife and two young children could have his life ended so brutally, defied comprehension.
Now in a highly anticipated new biopic titled JACKIE, Natalie Portman is set to bring to life the historic event through the eyes of Jacqueline Kennedy.
The movie is being produced by Portman’s Black Swan director Darren Aronofsky and Chilean director Pablo Larrain – who directed the film No – will be at the helm.
JACKIE will release in Australian cinemas nationally in early 2017 and also stars Peter Sarsgaard, Greta Gerwig and Billy Crudup.
Portman is one in a long list of Hollywood actresses to have taken on the iconic role of Jackie O. Katie Holmes starred as the former First Lady in the 2011 series The Kennedys, Minka Kelly played Jackie in Lee Daniels’ 2013 flick The Butler, and Ginnnifer Goodwin and Sarah Michelle Gellar have also taken turns to play the political figure.
Many films have tackle real life characters in their biopic bids for glory and while some actors have done their real life counterparts justice, others have garnered critical attention for questionable casting.
Here are some famously familiar performances.
FIRST LOOK at Natalie Portman as Jackie O.
Natalie Portman transforms into a grieving Jackie O in a story that follows the former First Lady during the days after her husband was shot.
Natalie Portman and Jacqueline Kennedy.
Nicole Kidman played Grace Kelly in Grace of Monaco.
Whitney Huston’s biopic is set to be in pre-production with Yaya DaCosta set to play the legendary singer.
Nicole Kidman also won an Oscar in 2003 for her portrayal of Virginia Woolf in The Hours.
Audrey Tautou played a young Coco Chanel in the 2009 biopic, Coco Before Chanel.
Meryl Streep was nominated for a Best Actress Academy Award for her portrayal of quirky cook Julia Child in the 2009 film, Julie and Julia.
Viggo Mortensen tackled the intense role of Sigmund Freud in the 2011 film, A Dangerous Method.
Will Smith transitioned into a bona-fide dramatic leading man with his portrayal of Muhammad Ali in 2001’s Ali.
Colin Firth won a Best Actor Oscar for his portrayal of King George VI in the 2010 film, The King’s Speech.
Robert De Niro cracked the big time playing self-destructive boxer Jake LaMotta in the 1980 classic, Raging Bull.
Daniel Day Lewis won his third Best Actor Academy Award for his portrayal of American president Abraham Lincoln in 2012’s Lincoln.
Helen Mirren’s career was reborn when she took home the 2007 Best Actress Oscar for The Queen in which she played Queen Elizabeth II.
Julia Roberts won an Oscar for her role as sassy Erin Brockovich in the 2000 film of the same name.
The late Philip Seymour Hoffman was captivating in his depiction of In Cold Blood novelist, Truman Capote in 2005’s Capote.
Marion Cotillard was phenomenal in her Oscar winning portrayal of singer Edith Piaf.
Malcom X as brought to life in an Oscar nominated performance by Denzel Washington in 1992’s movie, Malcom X.
Jesse Eisenberg was catapulted to leading man status after cleverly portraying Facebook creator, Mark Zuckerberg in 2010’s The Social Network.
Michael Sheen gave the performance of his life in his portrayal of talk-show host David Frost in 2008’s Frost/Nixon.
2012’s Hyde Park on Hudson saw Bill Murray transform into philandering American president Franklin D. Roosevelt.
Salma Hayek was nominated for a Best Actress Oscar for her portrayal of Mexican artist, Frida Kahlo in 2002’s Frida.
Russell Crowe earned another Oscar nomination for his thrilling performance in A Beautiful Mind in which he played anti-social mathematician, John Nash.
Leonardo DiCaprio got yet another Oscar nomination for his powerful portrayal as former FBI boss, J. Edgar Hoover in 2011’s J. Edgar.
2011’s Moneyball saw Brad Pitt get nominated for a Best Actor Oscar for his role as Oakland A’s general manager, Billy Beane.
Meryl Streep walked away with an Academy Award for her flawless portrayal of former British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher in 2011’s Iron Lady.
Michelle Williams was remarkable in bringing to life screen icon Marilyn Monroe in 2011’s film, My Week with Marilyn.
Veteran Brit actor Kenneth Branagh was also nominated for an Oscar when he took on the role of Sir Laurence Olivier in 2011’s My Week with Marilyn.
Lindsey Lohan played Elizabeth Taylor in 2012’s TV movie Liz and Dick.
Amanda Seyfried played porn star Linda Lovelace in 2013’s controversial Lovelace.
2013’s Lovelace saw James Franco take on Playboy founder Hugh Hefner.
Sarah Jessica Parker also starred in Lovelace as feminist journalist, Gloria Steinem but unfortunately SJP’s scenes were left on the cutting room floor.
Naomi Watts played the late Princess Diana in the 2013 movie Diana.
Ralph Fiennes plays Charles Dickens in the 2013 film The Invisible Woman.
Jane Fonda played former first lady Nancy Reagan in 2013’s The Butler.
Ashton Kutcher took on the role of Steve Jobs in the 2013 biopic Jobs.
Rupert Grint played punk icon Cheetah Chrome in 2013’s CBGB.
In 2013’s biopic, Behind the Candelabra, Hollywood heavy weight Michael Douglas took on the role of Liberace.
Sir Anthony Hopkins was incredible in his portrayal of director Alfred Hitchcock in 2012’s Hitchcock.
Scarlett Johnansson transformed into Hitchcock’s muse, Janet Leigh in 2012’s Hitchcock.
Jessica Biel went old Hollywood to play American film legend Vera Miles in Hitchcock.
Tom Hanks brought the story of Captain Richard Phillips to the big screen in 2013’s Captain Phillips.
Cate Blanchett earned her first Oscar for her supporting role as Katherine Hepburn in Martin Scorsese’s 2004 film, The Aviator.
Charlize Theron won the Best Actress Oscar in 2003 for her chilling portrayal of real life serial killer Aileen Wuornos in the 2003 biopic, Monster.
Beyoncé tested her acting chops when she played Etta James in the 2008 film, Cadillac Records.
Joaquin Phoenix was brilliant in his leading role as Johnny Cash in 2005’s Walk the Line.
Reese Witherspoon won the Best Actress Oscar for her portrayal of June Carter Cash in 2005’s Walk the Line.
Sean Penn was snagged his second Best Actor Oscar for his brilliant role in 2008’s biopic Milk where he played gay activist, Harvey Milk.
Related stories
Native ad body.
Native ad body.
Native ad body.
