Image via Complex Original
Intro
Elizabeth Olsen, the 22-year-old younger sister of world famous twins Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen, is a new face to most, but she's already proving herself as one of the most polished young actresses in Hollywood. Her breakout role as the cult-escaping lead in Martha Macy May Marlene is earning rave reviews just as the independent film gears up for a limited release this Friday. Naturally, moviegoers are anticipating the emerging talent's next move, and lucky for us, there's a lot on Elizabeth's agenda to look forward to. Keep reading for details on her past, and the scoop on the Olsen sister's promising future.
PLM
10. Her first starring role was in Peace, Love & Misunderstanding.
While the movie is still set for a wider release, Olsen has already received praise after the indie comedy's opening at the Toronto Film Festival. She plays the daughter of a stressed-out NYC lawyer who takes her kids to visit their hippie grandmother after she's served divorce papers. Director Bruce Beresford applauded her performance. "She has this rare knack, she listens wonderfully," he told the New York Times.
Sisters
9. She acted in her sisters' movies as a kid.
Elizabeth's earliest on-screen experience came in the form of cameo's in her famous sister's straight-to-video and made-for-TV movies like How The West Was Fun. However, her focus was always success as an adult actor. She turned down the most of the roles offered to her as a child.
Silent House
8. She gets trapped in a nightmare in Silent House.
The indie horror film was a favorite at last winter's Sundance Film Festival, and many critics noted Olsen's turn as a young woman on the verge of insanity. The film is receiving distribution that will place it in more theaters by 2012.
NYU
7. She majors in theater at New York University.
Elizabeth grew up around the business, but she credits Broadway plays for sparking her interest in acting. The 22-year-old senior is a student at the university's Tisch School of the Arts. She's been an off-Broadway understudy, taken classes at the Atlantic Theater Company and Moscow Art Theater School, and hopes to return to the stage later in her career.
Red Lights
6. She stars opposite Robert DeNiro in next year's Red Lights.
Olsen hits the screen as the assistant to Sigourney Weaver's psychologist. The duo investigates paranormal activity that leads them to a notorious psychic, played by Mr. DeNiro. So far, only a teaser trailer exists.
Lagerfeld
5. She's Karl Lagerfeld's latest muse.
The legendary Chanel designer is known for taking after young starlets for inspiration, and it appears Elizabeth Olsen is his latest fascination. Lagerfeld recently shot her his upcoming coffee table book, in which she'll model a classic Chanel tweed jacket.
Liberal Arts
4. She'll bring the laughs with Zac Efron in Liberal Arts.
You can catch Ms. Olsen on campus if you hang around Greenwich Village long enough, or if you check out the college-set comedy she's starring in next year. She plays the love interest of a 30-something guy who goes back to school.
Nudity
3. She's okay with nudity for artistic purposes.
Although she describes herself as "a very covered-up human being" who hesitates to even wear clothing that bares her midriff, Olsen is down to get naked for the camera if its integral to the story of a film. Such is the case in Martha Macy May Marlene. Here's to her picking more scripts that require the same in the future.
Very Good Girls
2. Her and Dakota Fanning will be best friends in Very Good Girls.
The duo plays a pair of high school graduates who explore NYC and desperately want to lose their virginity during the summer after they graduate from high school. Of course, they wind up falling for the same guy and drama ensues. Shooting is scheduled for this fall.
Hollywood
1. She wants to change the portrayal young women in Hollywood.
Elizabeth has a problem with the way girls are represented in film. "They're supposed to be either as perfect as how they're portrayed on Disney or as mean as they're portrayed in high school movies. And in real life it's neither of those," she tells the Los Angeles Times. Olsen maintains that she'll continue to challenge herself and remain selective about her roles. Good for her.
