Luc Besson is back in the director's chair this week as he delivers new action/sci-fi flick Lucy.
Over the years, Besson has been behind some great movies and has created some wonderful and memorable characters along the way: Lucy looks set to continue that fine tradition.
We take a look at some of the Besson created characters that have lit up the big screen.
- Nikita (1990)
Besson brought us the ultimate Femme Fatale in 1990 as we were introduced to Nikita for the very first time.
Anne Parillaud took on the role of Nikita, a young woman who is sentenced to life in prison for robbery and killing a policeman. In jail, her death is faked and she is given a choice... become an assassin or be killed.
Nikita is one of the ultimate big screen assassins of all time, as Parillaud gives a terrific performance in the central role.
Besson has always had a tradition of creating strong female characters who were more than capable of kicking some ass... it really all started here.
Besson may have gone on to create some other great characters over the years; Nikita remains one of the most iconic.
- Leon (1994)
One of my favourite Besson films is Leon, which saw him return to writing and directing duties. This remains one of Besson's best movies twenty years later.
Jean Reno took on the title role of Leon, a professional assassin who looks after a young girl when her family are killed in a raid. She begs him to teach her his skills so she can seek revenge.
If you are fan of the crime/thriller, Leon is a movie that is unmissable as it is a great ride from start to finish.
It is action packed and stylish, but you will remember the film for the central performances from Reno and Natalie Portman.
- Leeloo - The Fifth Element (1997)
Besson was back in the director's chair in 1997, has he brought us the sci-fi/action film The Fifth Element.
Bruce Willis, Gary Oldman, Ian Holm, and Chris Tucker were all on board, but it is Milla Jovovich's character Leeloo that is the most memorable.
The Fifth Element is a movie that screams 'look at me' as it is loud, vibrant, and very very stylish.
Jovovich is part of a great cast, but it will be Leeloo that you will remember long after the credits have rolled.
- Frank Martin - The Transporter (2002)
Jason Statham is best known for his action roles, but it was The Transporter back in 2002 that really kicked off his action film career.
On the surface, Frank Martin is a man who is just looking for a quiet life. But the ex-military man's job is to deliver packages without questions.
But when he breaks one of his sacred rules, he finds himself pulled into a world of people smuggling.
Besson was not in the director's chair for The Transporter - that was Corey Yuen - but Frank Martin was another creation from the pen of Besson.
I have always liked Statham in this role as he brought charisma and style to this great character - not to mention the kickboxing skills that came in quite handy.
- Bryan Mills - Taken (2008)
Bryan Mills is a man with a 'particular set of skills' and we saw Liam Neeson take on this role for the first time back in 2008.
Retired CIA agent has to use his expertise to track the people who have kidnapped his daughter while on a trip to Paris.
Taken was the film that really kicked off Neeson's action hero career. Once again, Besson was on writing duties but it was Pierre Morel who was in the director's chair.
Taken really is a great action ride and I love Neeson in this role: he really is the everyman and yet there is something incredibly compelling about him.
- Lucy (2014)
Scarlett Johansson is no stranger to the action role, and this week she is back with Lucy: a movie that sees her team up with Besson for the first time.
Johansson takes on the title role in the film, and is joined on the cast list by Morgan Freeman and Min-sik Choi.
Lucy is an action-thriller that tracks a woman accidentally caught in a dark deal who turns the tables on her captors and transforms into a merciless warrior evolved beyond human logic.
Besson is on directing and writing duties, and is back in the director's chair for the first time since The Family last year.
Lucy is released 22nd August.
Tagged in Luc Besson