She performed the scene where Mathilda laments the loss of her brother. Portman was originally turned down by casting director Todd Thaler because she was so young, but she was called back when the search expanded. She was 11-years-old when she was cast from a group of more than 2000 girls. Léon boasts Academy Award winner Natalie Portman's motion picture debut. But the 'Fact Track' on the Deluxe Edition DVD reveals Mel Gibson and Keanu Reeves were both very interested in the part.Ģ. Luc Besson has stated the role of Léon was always meant for Jean Reno. It's quietly become a classic modern action film, but remains a timeless tale.ġ. So let's remember Léon for the great movie it is with 20 things you may not know about the film or its production. It's funny to think it all started with a controversial French film that was written in a month. It's a testament to her talent and ferocity that Mathilda was so memorable, and it's no surprise she's still one of the best actresses working today. Portman's performance still stands as one of the great modern roles by a child actor. Twenty years later, Léon is just as impressive as it was in 1994. But he must also protect her from her parents' killer, Stansfield (the ballistic Gary Oldman), a psychotic with a badge who wants to tie up loose ends. Reno is quietly mesmerizing as Léon, offering everything he has to take care of this orphaned girl who quickly wins his heart. The two form an unlikely friendship and then business partnership as Mathilda learns her neighbor is actually a professional killer and becomes his apprentice. Alone and desperate, Mathilda turns to the quiet man down the hall, Léon (Reno), who takes her in. She displays the full range of emotions as Mathilda, a young girl who watches as her family is murdered by corrupt New York City cops. Proving mature beyond her years, the little actress was a force onscreen. But it contained three remarkable performances that would quickly make it one of the most-talked about films of the year. Léon wasn't exactly groundbreaking when it debuted on September 14, 1994.

It was a thriller to be certain, but it was much much more. The movie was called Léon in France, but it would be renamed The Professional for American audiences and marketed as a pure action thriller.

It starred the noted French actor Jean Reno and a young upstart: 12-year-old Natalie Portman, who was making her film debut. N 1994, Columbia Pictures and writer/director Luc Besson brought a hitman romance to America.

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