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Home / Entertainment

Margot Robbie is no 'damsel in distress' in Tarzan flick

TimeOut
24 Jun, 2016 05:30 AM2 mins to read

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In the Legend Of Tarzan, Australian star Margot Robbie plays a very different version of Jane than the stereotypical "damsel in distress".

Engrossing and exciting, the film thankfully avoids tired, sexist Hollywood cliches.

"There is no 'me Tarzan, you Jane' situation," says Robbie, laughing.

Legend of Tarzan starring Alexander Skarsgard and Margot Robbie. Photo / Jonathan Olley
Legend of Tarzan starring Alexander Skarsgard and Margot Robbie. Photo / Jonathan Olley

She describes her character as "fiercely independent and incredibly capable.

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"There is actually a line in the film where [the villain] says 'scream for me' and Jane is like, 'What? Like a damsel?' and I spit in his face.

"She wants him, but doesn't need him.

"Jane can take care of herself and is constantly getting out of danger on her own."

The story follows the story of Tarzan, who was raised in the African jungle but is now living in Victorian London as John Clayton (Lord Greystoke) with his wife, Jane.

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John is sent on a trade mission back into the Congo and becomes embroiled in a deadly revenge plot.

Robbie took the role "because it was very different from the other stuff I've done.

"It's like the Indiana Jones or Pirates Of The Caribbean films, an epic action-adventure, a crazy, beautiful world and the characters are real and raw." The film is also romantic, but with a twist. "Tarzan and Jane are a team," says Robbie.

Interestingly, while Alexander Skarsgard, the other half of the team, is semi-naked for half the film, Robbie gets to keep her clothes on.

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Margot Robbie as Jane in the film Legend of Tarzan. Photo / Jonathan Olley
Margot Robbie as Jane in the film Legend of Tarzan. Photo / Jonathan Olley

"It was a massive role reversal that doesn't normally happen," she says, smiling.

"Even in the jungle, Jane is fully dressed in boots, a skirt and a blouse, which deteriorates throughout the film as we are jumping off things, in monsoons and stampedes.

But I felt sorry for Alex. I could eat whatever I wanted and he couldn't."

- news.com.au

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