Natalie Portman's "Jane Got A Gun" Is FINALLY Happening

I'm sure a movie could be made just about the filmmaking process of the incredibly troubled "Jane Got A Gun." However, after countless director, actor release date AND distributor changes *sigh* the film has a trailer. It's happening!
Though Portman has been largely absent from the screen since collecting an Oscar and a billion other awards for "Black Swan" almost five years ago, save for a contractual appearance in the "Thor" films. With her directorial debut, "A Tale of Love and Darkness" awaiting release, and the announcement of her involvement in two buzzy biopics and now this, it would seem the actresses is coming back to the big screen guns blazing (no pun intended).

Portman plays Jane, a woman who is forced to team up with her ex-lover (Joel Egerton) when her outlaw of a husband is targeted by his gang's leader (Ewan McGregor).

Though I'm not exactly sure how the final product will pan out, the trailer is EXTREMELY focused on Portman (which is a good thing). This is unlike anything she's ever done before, so it's good to see the actress is still challenging herself after winning an Oscar.

Whatever the actual outcome, it's exciting to see Portman front and center in a project tailored to her.

Watch the trailer below. The film will (finally) be released in February. Hopefully the quality will supersede it's troubled journey to the screen.

Natalie Portman's Busy Schedule

After being absent from the big screen for a few years, Academy Award winner Natalie Portman is back with a bang.

Natalie Portman's Directorial Debut to Screen at 2015's Cannes Film Festival

This year's Cannes Film Festival is being headlined by some of the buzziest titles of the year. Not only will Oscar hopefuls "Carol" (Cate Blanchett, Rooney Mara, Sarah Paulson), "Macbeth" (Michael Fassbender and Marion Cotillard), but Academy Award winner Natalie Portman makes her directorial debut with the Hebrew language biopic entitled "A Tale of Love and Darkness". Portman will also star in the film, but is eligible for the festival's prestigious Camera D'Or which is given to new directors.

It's Never too Early to Look Ahead

After playing a witch in last year's "Into the Woods", Meryl is looking to break her own record as a rock star mom in "Ricki and the Flash" 

Last year's Oscar season just barely ended, and it's already time to start looking ahead at the race that's already starting to form for this year. Though none of the actual contenders have actually premiered to the public yet (unless you count the gorgeous costumes from "Cinderella") there's a slew of buzzy titles with huge names that have people talking.

With nothing at the theaters really holding our attention at the moment, it's never too early to look ahead at what's to come.

Birdman Soars

There are not many actors or actresses working in Hollywood today that are so willing to have their personal, real life narratives, play alongside their character's as a way of constructing a performance. The reason why Natalie Portman's performance in "Black Swan" was such a triumph, was because the film was as much about Nina Sayers finding her inner Black Swan as it was Natalie Portman. Watching that movie, we not only saw the character go from being a meek, submissive girl into a complicated, strong woman, but we also saw a capable, yet underrated actress transform into a true leading lady.

That technique is front and center in director/writer Alejandro González Iñárritu's black comedy "Birdman", a film about a fading actor, once known for playing a superhero, trying desperately to be remembered for anything but playing a superhero. That actor, Riggan Thomson, is played by Michael Keaton, an actor that hasn't done much of anything since he played a superhero back in the 90's. Much like his character, Keaton was in need a project that showcased his acting talent. Birdman is that film, and then some.

Most Deserving Oscar Wins of the 2010's

My idol Nathaniel Rogers (who I had the pleasure of interviewing last semester) posted a list yesterday of his favorite Oscar wins from the past few years; the 2010's, which got me thinking about my favorites. Looking back, I see some really.... not so great wins, but among the rubble, there are some truly deserving, rich wins that I applaud the Academy for. Let's take a look, shall we?

Happy (Belated) Birthday Natalie Portman! 5 Quintessential Performances

Yes, it's that time of the year again: screen goddess Natalie Portman has turned another year older; 33 years old. Can you believe she's been working since she was just 12 years old?

In honor of my favorite actresses birthday (it was 2 days ago, but I've been busy busy busy), I've decided to rank her 5 best performances.

Nat's next scheduled film is the yet to be titled musical-drama Terrance Malick project (co-starring Ryan Gosling, Cate Blanchett, Rooney Mara, Christian Bale and Val Kilmer) which is set to be out later this year (though that will most likely change, knowing Malick) and the heavily troubled "Jane Got A Gun" out early next year.

Natalie Portman's "Jane Got A Gun FINALLY Has a Release Date

It's been a long time since we've seen Natalie Portman challenge herself as an actress. After delivering the performance of a lifetime in the smash-hit "Black Swan" (and winning an Oscar for Best Actress in the process), Portman took some (much) needed time off after she announced she was pregnant with her first child. The Oscar win inspired interest in projects she had filmed prior to Black Swan's release, but were never put out to the public. Following Black Swan's success, "No Strings Attached", "Thor" "The Other Woman" and "Your Highness" were released all in 2011 right as she began her hiatus.

After giving birth, Portman (contractually) appeared in "Thor 2", while filming her directorial debut (entitled "A Tale of Love and Darkness in which she plays the protagonist's mother as well) and 2 yet-to-be-seen Terrence Malick films. Though she's been a busy bee,  it's been awhile since we've actually seen a compelling Natalie Portman performance.