For nearly a quarter-century, Michelle Rodriguez has been one of the biggest action stars in Hollywood, and has appeared in several of the most popular franchises on the planet like the FAST & FURIOUS movies, the first AVATAR, multiple other high-profile projects, and small indie hits. In honor of Women’s History Month, as well as the upcoming release of DUNGEONS & DRAGONS: HONOR AMONG THIEVES, we thought now would be a great time to revisit some of Michelle Rodriguez’s past performances. With Rodriguez about to take on the role of the fierce and loyal Holga Kilgore in the highly anticipated adventure film about a group of thieves going on an epic quest to retrieve a long lost relic that could change their fortunes and lives, let’s take a look back at some of the memorable movies and roles that came before.
AMC Theatres, which leads efforts to make voices heard through a showcase of great films, also strives to strengthen its culture through initiatives like the Council on the AMC Women’s Experience and Our Council on the Latinx Experience. Both of these groups set out to strengthen AMC’s culture by defining opportunities to embrace our diversity, lead with fairness and impartiality, and create a more inclusive work environment. We aim to bring diverse female perspectives, from both associates and guests, to drive key initiatives.
Girl Fight
“The movie tries to tell you the power of a woman where her femininity is powerful enough to allow her to showcase her power in physical strength.” - Frank C. General Manager of AMC Firewheel 18
Michelle Rodriguez got her start with the lead role in Karyn Kusama’s 2000 indie sports drama film, GIRL FIGHT. In the movie, Rodriguez plays Diana Guzman, a hot-headed high schooler, unhappy with her family life following her mother’s death, as she finds new passion for life after visiting her brother at a boxing gym. Though she knows she has what it takes to be a good boxer, the same can’t be said for Diana’s family, who are unsupportive and unwilling to pay for training, forcing the teenager to find her own way.
“As some of us experience in our teen years, having a short temper often leads to bigger problems and this is the case for Diana”
What follows is an emotional, raw, and empowering boxing drama centering on a fierce competitor unwilling to back down from any fight, no matter how much the odds are stacked against her. Like her character, Rodriguez’s performance is emotional, raw, and unrefined, yet an outstanding showing of heart, fighting spirit, and a never-say-die attitude.
The Fast And The Furious Franchise
It’s hard to imagine the FAST AND FURIOUS franchise without Michelle Rodriguez’s Letty Ortiz, but luckily, we don’t have to worry about that, as the anti-hero-turned-amnesiac-villain-turned-hero has been a staple of the franchise since the very beginning. Dominic Toretto’s partner-in-crime, and partner-in-life, has been an instrumental part of the franchise, and a major part of some of its biggest stories and action set pieces.
And while just about every part of Letty’s journey has been amazing, one of the most memorable portions of the timeline is her return in FAST & FURIOUS 6, and the way in which it added another dynamic to her character, and the franchise. Rodriguez really showed just how far she could go as an actress in the series’ sixth installment with a narrative thread that continues to run through all subsequent movies.
Widows
Michelle Rodriguez was one of the key members of the WIDOWS cast, Steve McQueen’s 2018 heist thriller about a group of women whose only connection is the fact their recently deceased husbands were all part of the same band of thieves. Veronica Rawlings (Viola Davis), the widow of the group’s leader, Harry (Liam Neeson), gets together with the other surviving wives to pull off what their husbands could never do: carry out a $5 million heist of a local politician.
“As Linda Perelli, Rodriguez, gives an authentic and genuine performance as a mother struggling to do right by her kids after losing her husband and business. Rodriguez showcases her arresting acting skills that go beyond the high-octane action of the Fast and the Furious Franchise” - Matt V. Director, Brand Marketing
Rodriguez’s performance is not only authentic and genuine but incredibly empowering, as she agrees to put her life on the line to do whatever she can for her family, her fellow widows, and herself, rising from the ashes of debt and grief to make a better life.
Michelle Rodriguez has come a long way throughout her career, but this isn’t the last we’ve seen of the tough, talented, and versatile star, as she has two major movies on the horizon. First, Rodriguez will appear in long-awaited DUNGEONS & DRAGONS: HONOR AMONG THIEVES, opening March 31st.
DUNGEONS & DRAGONS: HONOR AMONG THIEVES opens March 31stAfter that, she’ll return to the franchise that made her a household name with the upcoming May 19th release of FAST X, in which Rodriguez will once again get behind the wheel as Letty Ortiz in what could be the most action-packed and personal adventure so far when an enemy with ties to the Toretto family’s past comes back to settle an old score.
FAST X opens May 19th
