Since breaking onto the Hollywood scene, Jessica Chastain’s effervescent personality and versatile acting ability captivated audiences. So today, let’s shine the light of our Hollywood Spotlight in this beautiful star’s direction!
From Stage to Hollywood
Juilliard-educated Jessica Chastain began her career on stage. In fact, she gave notable performances in Oscar Wilde and Shakespeare plays that require a high degree of skill. However, though an accomplished stage actress, the future star set her sights on the big screen. Like many others who seek a Hollywood career, she started with television appearances on some of the most popular shows like ER and Veronica Mars. She was also cast as an Assistant District Attorney in Law & Order: Trial by Jury (2005-2006), another installment in the highly successful police procedural franchise.
Big Screen Breakthrough
In 2011, Jessica Chastain starred opposite Emma Stone, Octavia Spencer and Viola Davis in The Help. The film centered on racism between socialites and their domestic help in 1960’s Mississippi. Based on the novel of the same name, The Help performed well in the theaters and delighted critics. In fact, it also earned a Best Picture Academy Award nomination. Both Jessica Chastain and Octavia Spencer received nods for Best Supporting Actress as well. Jessica Chastain did not take home the Oscar. Instead, her co-star won. However, as they say, it is an honor just to be nominated, especially so early in a career.
Impressive Versatility
The following year, Jessica Chastain starred in a movie that was the polar opposite of her role in The Help. Zero Dark Thirty (2012) told the action-packed story about the 10 year manhunt for Osama Bin Laden. The actress led the cast as a fictionalized CIA intelligence analyst. The movie also starred some of Hollywood’s biggest names included James Gandolfini, Chris Pratt and Kyle Chandler.
The film entranced audiences. And critics lauded the cast and the movie itself. In fact, many listed it among the best movies of the year. Not surprisingly, Zero Dark Thirty and its stars garnered a slew of award nominations. Jessica Chastain earned an Oscar nod and won a Golden Globe for Best Actress in a Drama.
Some other notable performances by this talented celebrity include: The Tree of Life (2011), Madagascar 3: Europe’s Most Wanted (2012), Mama (2015), Miss Julie (2014), Interstellar (2014), The Martian (2015), The Huntsman: Winter’s War (2016), The Zookeeper’s Wife (2017), Woman Walks Ahead (2017) and Dark Phoenix (2019).
Philanthropic Endeavors
In addition to her thriving Hollywood career, Jessica Chastain is a busy philanthropist. She has quite a few causes that are near and dear to her heart which she gives of her time and money. The feminist is concerned with women’s right and actively works for reproductive health. And some of her interests hit closer to home. Over 15 years ago, the actress’s sister took her own life. Not surprisingly, she supports causes that focus on mental health issues and suicide prevention.
Upcoming Projects
For fans of this famous actress, there is no shortage of upcoming movies to enjoy. Indeed, there may be 7 Jessica Chastain flicks in Hollywood pipeline! Currently, the star is filming 355, a movie about female agents and espionage. Notably, it was the actress herself who proposed the concept of a James Bond-esque movie with a female cast. Action is surely also promised with The Division, based on the Tom Clancy video game about survivors of a pandemic virus. Netflix recently picked up the Jessica Chastain film but no release date it known.
The star is also set to play two famous Tammy’s: Tammy Wynette and Tammy Faye Bakker. George & Tammy has been in the works for some time. Folks in the know suggest we might see the film in 2020. The actress is also cast as televangelist Tammy Faye Bakker, opposite Andrew Garfield in The Eyes of Tammy Faye. We may have to wait a bit for this movie as it is only in pre-production.
The Good Nurse is yet another Jessica Chastain project in the earliest of stages. Focusing on the story of Charles Cullen, a nurse believed to be the world’s most prolific serial killer, and the colleague who helped bring him to justice, the movie is in negotiations with the actress and Eddie Redmayne. In addition, Eve, starring the celebrity as an assassin fighting for her own survival, might hit theaters later this year. But if you’re in the mood for the newest Jessica Chastain flick, set your sights on It Chapter Two. The sequel to the 2017 has a release date right around the corner, September 6, 2019. We are excited… and a bit scared!