10 Movie Characters Who Returned Way More Badass In Sequels

1. Ellen Ripley - Aliens

Ellen Ripley might be the archetypal army-woman-army in sci-fi movie history, but she didn't always start out the cornered animal veteran that she appears to be in parts 2 and 3 of the main Alien movie franchise.

She initially goes from a good-hearted science officer-type who is thrust into the typical Final Girl position when the crew of the Nostromo are all picked off to being a full-on, gun-toting action hero in the second. No longer always running away from the alien enemy, she's fortified by her link to Newt and takes the battle to the xenomorphs and there is no greater expression of her badass evolution than that iconic "get away from her, you B*TCH!" line at the end.

Hers is the ultimate transformation by circumstances and it's a huge part of what has made her such a cherished character across all of film history.

Which other characters belong on this list? Share your thoughts below in the comments thread and to read about 10 Movie Sequels That Turn Wimps Into Total Badasses click here.