Eva Green in photos: 'So beautiful, it's indecent'

Born in Paris, but with Algerian, Jewish, and Swedish heritage, Eva Green possesses an undeniable magnetism that few could phrase better than Italian film director Bernardo Bertolucci when he called her “so beautiful, It’s indecent.”

It was Bertolucci himself who took a gamble on the untested Green, offering her a breakout role in the 2003 film ‘The Dreamers.’

At 22, she accepted the lead role in the Bertolucci film, which was filled with eroticism, graphic physical scenes, not to mention forbidden relationships and going full monty.

Green shared in an interview with The Guardian that her mom and agent had pleaded with her not to accept the role. But she proved them wrong. Her gutsy debut earned her both applause and recognition as a star on the rise. Here, she's pictured alongside her film co-star Michael Pitt.

This new-found status was solidified by Ridley Scott in 2005, when he chose her for the big-budget film ‘Kingdom of Heaven.’

At 24, Green breathed life into the hypnotic Sibylla, Queen of Jerusalem. She even cast a shadow over the then-high-flying Orlando Bloom, hot off his ‘Lord of the Rings’ stint.

And if Sibylla won the audience’s hearts, then Vesper Lynd in ‘Casino Royale’ was a game changer. Eva Green’s performance coincided with Daniel Craig’s debut in the Bond series, and their undeniable onscreen chemistry set sparks flying.

In little over a decade, Green had catapulted from obscurity to a star who could cherry-pick her roles. Despite this, roles in ‘The Constant Gardener’ (2005) and ‘The Black Dahlia’ (2006) slipped through her fingers, going to Rachel Weisz and Scarlett Johansson, respectively.

Yet it was clear Green followed her heart when it came to roles. Her first of three collaborations with Tim Burton saw her bring the wicked Angelique Bouchard to life (and death) in ‘Dark Shadows’ (2012).

Eva Green seemed born to float through Burton’s universe. Her character’s devilish appeal and gothic looks were irresistible to viewers and the character played by her co-star Johnny Depp.

Oddly, in ‘Sin City: A Dame to Kill For’ (2014), with its comic noir aesthetic and femme fatale role, some critics say Green failed to shine as brightly as expected. While the visually groundbreaking film was critically acclaimed, audiences didn't love it.

A similar fate almost befell her in '300: Rise of an Empire’ (2014), but her character Artemisia, leader of the Persian army, was too powerful to be ignored.

Straddling the line between violence and sensuality, Green’s Artemisia could have been her most magnetic character. But that honor was reserved for the extraordinary Vanessa Ives.

Showtime’s decision to center a series, ‘Penny Dreadful’ around classic horror literature figures, was a hit. The series struck gold by making Vanessa Ives the focal point of the narrative from 2014 to 2016.

Green’s character, a powerful witch torn between good and evil, set the screen ablaze with her chemistry with Josh Hartnett, leaving fans smitten for years.

After her unforgettable performance as Vanessa Ives, came two more collaborations with Burton: ‘Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children’ (2016) and the acclaimed adaptation of ‘Dumbo’ (2019).

The same year, Green landed an unusual film role, that of a female astronaut. Director Alice Winocour wisely chose Green’s face for the character Sarah in ‘Proxima’ (2019), which snagged Green a nomination for the César Award for Best Actress.

After a brief stint on TV with ‘The Luminaries’ and ‘Liaison,’ Green made a classic comeback with ‘The Three Musketeers’ (2023).

The ambitious French adaptation is split into two parts: one dedicated to D’Artagnan, the perennial protagonist, and the other showcasing Milady, portrayed by Green. The second part hit the theaters in late 2023.

Her newest project set to come out is called 'Dirty Angels.' It's all about a group of female US soldiers during the US withdrawal from Afghanistan in 2021. She's listed as the lead character, called Jake.

Despite her many larger-than-life characters, Green said in an interview for her website that she is “a homebody” who doesn’t like parties. Instead, she prefers relaxing at home and reading a good book.” I think that’s why I’m so drawn to acting. It allows me to wear a mask,” she told the Australian magazine The Age.

Also speaking to Age, she shared her interest in hobbies that jive better with the Green we see on screen. Yes, she's into taxidermy and entomology, meaning she collects preserved skulls and insects.

Eva Green, after more than two decades in the industry, remains timeless. As decades roll on, this enigmatic Parisian seems set to continue to reign as Hollywood’s gothic muse.

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