10 Essential Summer Blockbusters That Aren't Part Of A Franchise

5. Jane Got A Gun

Natalie Portman originally signed on to play the title-character Jane back in 2012, and since then the film has undergone a series of directing and casting changes, although Portman herself has remained attached throughout. Lynne Ramsey was originally set to direct, with Michael Fassbander playing Jane€™s ex-lover, and Joel Edgerton in the role of John Bishop, the film€™s villain. However, scheduling conflicts with X-Men resulted in Fassbender leaving the film. Edgerton was recast in his role, with Jude Law taking his place as Bishop. He then quit when director Ramsey left, as she was the reason for he signed on in the first place. With Gavin O€™Conner now on to direct, Bradley Cooper was the next man to take on the antagonist role. In what was becoming a bit like the Defence Against The Dark Arts position at Hogwarts, he couldn€™t stick around either, leaving due to a clash with American Hustle. Ewan McGregor was his replacement and, amazingly, he has stuck around to the very end. The Western centres on Jane Hammond (Portman) building a new life for herself after being tortured by the Bishop Boys gang. However, when her husband (Noah Emmerich) returns home riddled with bullets from the gang, she turns to Edgerton for help. With a script that appeared on 2011€™s Black List, and what feels like Portman€™s biggest role in far too long, there€™s enough to suggest this one can put all it€™s problems behind it and fire its way to success.
Contributor
Contributor

NCTJ-qualified journalist. Most definitely not a racing driver. Drink too much tea; eat too much peanut butter; watch too much TV. Sadly only the latter paying off so far. A mix of wise-old man in a young man's body with a child-like wonder about him and a great otherworldly sensibility.