Anna Paquin – X-Men
We could discuss all day just how wrong the films did by this character, one of the very best of the comic book canon, but this doesn’t negate the excellent work that Anna Paquin puts in as the troubled Rogue in the first film while she helps introduce the audience to this universe. Vulnerable and totally destructive when still learning to use and control her powers, Rogue became less and less interesting as the series went on, but she has remained a strong presence throughout because of Paquin’s natural charm in the role.
Famke Janssen – X2
For as many characters that the X-Men universe has, they sure seem to be light in the heroine department when it comes to the films. Either underdeveloped or stuck in love triangles, the female characters get the short end of the stick a lot here, which is why it was so exciting to see Famke Janssen’s Jean Gray get the big hero moment at the end of X2. It’s also the one scene that showcases how great of an asset Janssen was to the film.
Is there an image quite as evocative as Jean standing in the vast body of water and creating a safe exit for her friends, her family? Powerful beyond anyone’s capabilities but also decidedly human, her “death” hits hard both because we love the character but also because of what Janssen puts into her.
