Summer 2013's Loveliest Ladies Onscreen

By Jeff Bayer

Summer is the best time to appreciate the fairer sex--and okay, it's not just because there's less clothing involved. We're actually talking about appreciating the lovely ladies of summer on the big screen. Whether in a superhero flick, an action comedy or a crime caper, these actresses are sure to catch our attention this summer at the cinema.

Gwyneth Paltrow ( Iron Man 3, May 3)

Nobody puts Pepper in the corner, or at least not anymore. Paltrow finally gets to play with some toys in Iron Man 3. While Pepper evolved from assistant to CEO of Stark Industries, that’s nothing compared to putting on the suit of iron. Not only does she blow things up, and throw some punches, but she also does some saving. That’s right, Robert Downey Jr.’s Tony Stark isn’t the only one who gets to play hero.

Carey Mulligan (The Great Gatsby, May 10)

If there is a period piece, Carey Mulligan will find it. She burst onto the scene with an Oscar nomination for An Education. Since then she’s shared screen time with Johnny Depp, and Shia LaBeouf, and led the way along side Andrew Garfield in Never Let Me Go. Now she finds herself in between Leonardo DiCaprio and Tobey Maguire in Baz Luhrmann’s 3D drama of The Great Gatsby.

Zoe Saldana (Star Trek Into Darkness, May 17)

Uhura over Neytiri is a no-brainer, right? Saldana’s Uhura is a sexy update from an already alluring character played by Nichelle Nichols, and Neytiri is a giant blue creature. It’s not a debate. While the action and special effects will probably take center stage in Star Trek Into Darkness, there are a fair number of us who can’t wait to see what happens next with Uhura and Spock (Zachary Quinto).

Julie Delpy (Before Midnight, May 24)

When film critics get together this summer, they will surely talk about what their favorite trilogy is of all time. Star Wars, Lord of the Rings and Toy Story will be brought up, but what may surprise you is that we’re all hoping Richard Linklater’s Before trilogy will join the conversation. Ethan Hawke and Delpy have made romantic, wandering magic with Before Sunrise and Before Sunset and will surely do so again.

Emma Watson (The Bling Ring, June 14)

In the film My Week with Marilyn, Watson gave us hope that should could do more than be a genius wizard from Muggle parents. With The Perks of Being a Wallflower we were officially hooked. Now she joins director Sofia Coppola with The Bling Ring, a film inspired by the true story of fame-obsessed teens breaking into celebrity homes. Leslie Mann costars, and while some have decided to hate, we're absolute fans of Judd Apatow’s wife.

Amy Adams (Man of Steel, June 14)

There would be no Superman without Lois Lane. Technically, that’s not true. Luckily we never have to imagine such a thing. Adams caused a stir when cast because she has strawberry blonde locks. If you don’t think that’s a big deal, you’re not a fangirl (or boy). Adams is maintaining her signature color. This may not cause your heart to skip a beat, though her baby-blue eyes on the big screen just might.

Sandra Bullock and Melissa McCarthy (The Heat, June 28)

It's been almost 20 years since Oscar-winner Bullock starred in Speed and While You Were Sleeping. The most surprising thing about that last sentence is the word Oscar. Now Bullock is getting back to her Miss Congeniality ways with The Heat. She's smartly teaming up with the hilarious rising star Melissa McCarthy. The two of them will be using their feminine wiles to spice up the much-used buddy cop formula.

Kristen Wiig (Girl Most Likely, July 17)

Melissa McCarthy’s Bridesmaids co-star Wiig will lend her voice to Despicable Me 2, but we get to see all of her in Girl Most Likely. As an added bonus, the legendary Annette Bening will be her mom. We thought Tina Fey and Lily Tomlin were perfectly cast as a daughter/mother combo, but Wiig and Benning could prove even better in this film about a playwright who attempts suicide, only to get stuck with her mother.

Eva Green (300: Rise of an Empire, August 2)

Green's star was launched as Bond girl Vesper Lynd in 2006’s Casino Royale, though some were already captivated by her first film, The Dreamers. Now she stars in the continuation of 300. Even though there is no Gerard Butler, there will probably be plenty of abs for the ladies in the audience. Plus, as Artemisia, a naval commander in the Persian Empire, it looks like Green will get in on the action.

Amanda Seyfried (Lovelace, August 7)

In Les Misérables you could feel the passion of Seyfried’s Cosette. With Lovelace, based on the true story of porn star Linda Lovelace, we’re probably going to see it as well. While there are sure to be many uncomfortable, depressing moments in this film, hopefully we’ll also be able to appreciate one of Seyfried’s strengths: being sexy.

Who are you most excited to see on the big screen?