By Melissa Hunter
Science fiction has had a countless number of action heros, but what about the heroines? They're out kicking as much other-worldly ass as the guys, and usually in five-inch heels, coiffed hair, and some sort of spandex ensemble.
The newest to join the ranks is Clea Duvall, who stars in Fox's newest sci-fi flick "Virtuality." From the minds of "Battlestar Galactica," the movie explores the lives of a group of astronauts on a mission to save Earth. You can see an extended preview here.
A resident Hollywood tough chick Clea has played badasses in "Heroes" and "Carnivale," along with one of our fave cult sci-fi teen horror flicks "The Faculty." Excited to see her kick ass in zero-gravity.
So who are the most iconic ladies of sci-fi? Click through and see our picks.
Sigourney Weaver in the "Alien" series: When you're up against an epidemic of parasitic aliens, you'll definitely want Sigourney Weaver on your team. From destroying aliens on spaceships, various planets, and eventually inside her own body, she's not one to be reckoned with. Bonus points for head shaving.
Carrie Fisher in the "Star Wars" saga: Opting for a more feminine, yet equally fashion-forward sci-fi hairdo, Carrie Fisher's character Princess Leia in the "Star Wars" series became the girl of every sci-fi fanboys' dreams. While the warrior princess served as a love interest for pretty much every male character (aren't too many hot ladies in space, I guess), she also did her part in destroying evil, choking Jabba the Hutt with the chain that tied her to him among other ass-kicking moments.
Natalie Portman in the "Star Wars" prequels: Who'd have thought that Natalie Portman would end up playing Carrie Fisher's mom? Playing Queen Padmé Amidala in the space opera prequels, she is the young, poised, intelligent queen of the planet Naboo. After being the secret wife of Anakin Skywalker (i.e. Darth Vader), she gives birth to Luke and Princess Leia. A politician in the space world, she's more about pacifism and less about alien aggression. But judging from "V for Vendetta," had Natalie been given the option, plenty of alien's asses would have been properly kicked.
Carrie-Anne Moss (Matrix): Neo wouldn't be "The One" without good old Trinity, played by Carrie-Anne Moss. The determined, agent-ball busting chick teaches Neo the ways of taking down those pesky dudes in suits and sunglasses (aptly named agents… we're guessing of the Hollywood variety). She takes "dodging bullets" to a new level. And rocks a rad leather cap to boot.
Linda Hamilton in the "Terminator" series: Hamilton's character Sarah Connor is one of the most iconic in sci-fi cinema. She plays the mother of hero John Connor, who saves humanity from android destruction, so obviously the 'droids have to send their biggest robot to kill her. With the Arnold after her at every turn, and a man gone back in time to save her (and have a baby with, in a mind boggling feat of time-travel logic), she ends up being a fugitive from society, and a seriously tenacious robot fighter. Oh, and gives birth to the savior of humankind, no big deal.
Tricia Helfer in "Battlestar Galactica": Tricia's character "Number Six" is a closeted Cylon (fancy term for robot) who appears to be a human in the "Battlestar" space odyssey. Though her human form and emotions made her practically undetectable as a robot, you might be able to tell when you see several other copies of her roaming around outer space. When trying to fool humans into thinking you're one of them, it helps that the form she took on happens to be one that's easy on the eyes.
Jeri Ryan in "Star Trek: Voyager": Making numbered names cool and cybernetic facial growths sexy, Jeri Ryan killed it as Seven of Nine on "Star Trek: Voyager." The Trekkie equivalent of a boy raised by wolves, Seven of Nine was human raised as a Borg, who then gets onto the spaceship and reconnects with her human roots… though her cybernetic implants aren't so easy to overcome. The battle between her desire to assimilate into the cyborgs and the connection with her human individuality is an ongoing struggle. Either way, she's the prettiest cyborg-human the world/ other worlds have ever known.
Gillian Anderson in "X Files": Gillian as Detective Dana Scully was everything a sci-fi nerd could ever dream of in a woman: sexy, confident, sassy, witty, and could destroy any other worldly creature you could imagine. Throw in some green eyes, red hair, and a hot detective partner, and you've got yourself nine seasons of Dana Scully splendor.