Starting out as a talented child actor, Elle Fanning has successfully cemented herself as not only a masterful actress as an adult, but a versatile and eclectic one as well. She has played everyone from Sleeping Beauty and Bob Dylan’s girlfriend, to a comedic version of a Russian empress. But whatever role she’s playing, you know your eyes will be glued to that screen with her bewitching performances.
Now Fanning is taking on a new challenge. She will be playing the younger version of Effie Trinket, the sassy (and very fashionable) future mentor to Katniss Everdeen in the latest installment of the Hunger Games franchise, Sunrise on the Reaping. The movie is set to premiere in November 2026, so in the meantime, get familiar with some of Elle Fanning’s most iconic roles.
Somewhere (2010)
This underrated Sofia Coppola gem stars Fanning as Cleo, the 11-year-old daughter to Stephen Dorff’s Johnny, a famous actor going through an existential crisis. When Johnny’s ex-wife leaves Cleo in his care, Cleo helps Johnny mature and take up adult responsibilities. Even when she was just a girl, Fanning proved to be a delightful presence on screen, earning her Actress of the Year at the Young Hollywood Award.
Super 8 (2011)
Left to right: Kyle Chandler plays Jackson Lamb, Joel Courtney plays Joe Lamb, Elle Fanning plays Alice Dainard, and Ron Eldard plays Louis Dainard in SUPER 8, from Paramount Pictures.
Fanning’s first gig as a leading lady came in this J. J. Abrams movie. Set in 1979, Super 8 follows a group of teenagers who witness a mysterious train derailment, and realise something dangerous was unleashed from the train. Fanning’s character Alice adds tenderness to the sci-fi thriller, and at 13, she gave such a stellar performance that it earned her a nomination at the Critics Choice Awards and a Spotlight Award at the Hollywood Film Festival.
Maleficent (2014)
Maleficent arguably introduced the entire world to Elle Fanning when she was cast as Aurora, or Sleeping Beauty, in this modern re-telling of the beloved Disney folk tale. The film tells the origin story of Maleficent, and how she came to curse Aurora with eternal slumber. Opposite Angelina Jolie, Fanning plays Aurora as a brave and righteous young woman, showing us that she’s much more than the innocent, helpless princess in the original.
20th Century Woman (2016)
This heartwarming coming-of-age dramedy is inspired by director Mike Mills’ own childhood, and wrote this film as a “love letter” to the women who raised him. The film follows a teenage Jamie in 1970s California, and the women around him as they go through journeys of sexual awakening, divorce and cancer. Fanning plays Julie, Jamie’s best friend, who often spends the night with Jamie but chooses not to have sex with him. Fanning plays Julie as a cool but emotionally intelligent teenager, and her mature and sincere performance shines in this simple but poignant film.
The Beguiled (2017)
Fanning reunites with Sofia Coppola in this melodramatic adaptation of Thomas P. Cullinan’s novel. This Southern gothic thriller is set during the American Civil War, and follows a wounded corporal as he hides in a girls’ school in Virginia to avoid being taken captive. The cast is star-studded: Colin Farrell plays Corporal James McBurney, Nicole Kidman stars as the headmistress and Kirsten Dunst plays a teacher that falls in love with James. Fanning’s character is Alicia, the oldest student at the school who tries to seduce James. Unlike her previous roles, Fanning plays the bad girl cunningly, making her irresistible to watch, and proves that she was just as versatile as the other big names in this movie.
The Great (2020-2023)
Fanning got to display her comedic chops on this Hulu series in which she plays a fictionalised version of Russian Empress Catherine the Great. The series follows Catherine’s rise to power as she plots to kill her husband, Emperor Peter III, played by the equally charming Nicholas Hoult. Fanning portrays Catherine as an independent but fed up woman living with a deranged husband, and her absurdist performance bounces off Hoult’s unhinged tantrums brilliantly. They’re so funny, you almost wish this series was historically accurate.
A Complete Unknown (2024)
This James Mangold-directed biopic follows the early career of Bob Dylan, portrayed by Timothée Chalamet. Fanning appears in a supporting role as Sylvie Russo, a character based on Suze Rotolo, Dylan’s girlfriend at the time. After working together on A Rainy Day in New York back in 2019, Fanning and Chalamet’s chemistry is still electrifying to watch, and Fanning introduces a lighthearted and sweet presence to Chalamet’s eccentric Dylan in the movie. Fanning’s performance earned her an award for Best Supporting Actress by the National Board of Review.
Editor
Matt ChauCredit
Lead image: via IMDb
