Leeloo
The fifth element, recreated from a Mondoshawan spacecraft wreck.
Leeloo is a humanoid woman recreated by the government from a severed hand in metal armor recovered from the wreckage of a Mondoshawan spacecraft. She is the occupant of the sarcophagus that, together with four engraved stones representing the four classical elements, forms the only weapon capable of defeating a great evil that appears every 5,000 years. Alarmed by unfamiliar surroundings and high security after her reconstruction, she escapes and jumps off a ledge, crashing into the flying taxicab of Korben Dallas, a former special forces major. Cornelius recognizes her as the fifth element. She remembers her previous life and, after recuperating, tells Cornelius that the stones were not on board the Mondoshawan ship.
- Character Name
- Leeloo
- Role
- The fifth element
- Actor
- Milla Jovovich
- Status
- Alive
- Origin
- Recreated by the government from a severed hand in metal armor recovered from th
- Affiliation
- The Mondoshawan Mission
Lore & Background
Leeloo is the fifth element, the occupant of a sarcophagus that, together with four engraved stones representing the four classical elements, forms the only weapon capable of defeating a great evil that appears every 5,000 years. The Mondoshawans, aliens who meet their Earth contact at an ancient Egyptian temple in 1914, take the weapon to protect it and return it before the great evil's re-emergence. On their way to Earth in the 23rd century, a Mondoshawan spacecraft carrying the weapon is ambushed and destroyed by Mangalores, alien mercenaries hired by Earth industrialist Jean-Baptiste Emanuel Zorg. A severed hand in metal armor from the wreckage is brought to New York City. From this, the government uses biotechnology to recreate the original occupant of the sarcophagus: Leeloo. She remembers her previous life. After escaping and crashing into Korben Dallas's taxi, she is delivered to priest Vito Cornelius and his apprentice David, who recognizes her as the fifth element. As she recuperates, she tells Cornelius that the stones were not on board the Mondoshawan ship. Later, during the attack on the flying hotel, Zorg shoots Leeloo. Traumatized after learning of humanity's history of cruelty, she gives up on life. Dallas declares his love for her and kisses her. Leeloo then combines the power of the stones, emitting divine light onto the great evil and defeating it.
In Their Own Story
Leeloo is recreated by the government from a severed hand in metal armor recovered from the wreckage of a Mondoshawan spacecraft. Alarmed by unfamiliar surroundings and high security, she escapes and jumps off a ledge, crashing into the flying taxicab of Korben Dallas. Dallas delivers her to Cornelius and David, who recognize her as the fifth element. As she recuperates, she tells Cornelius that the stones were not on board the Mondoshawan ship. Learning that Dallas shares her mission, she lets him accompany her to the flying hotel on planet Fhloston, where the diva Plavalaguna holds the stones. During the concert, the Mangalores attack; Plavalaguna is killed, and Dallas extracts the stones from her body. Zorg arrives, shoots Leeloo, and activates a time bomb. Dallas finds Leeloo traumatized and escapes with her, Cornelius, Rhod, and the stones in Zorg's private spaceship. At the temple, they deploy the stones, but Leeloo, having learned of humanity's history of cruelty, has given up on life. Dallas declares his love for her and kisses her. Leeloo combines the power of the stones, emitting divine light onto the great evil and defeating it. Dallas and Leeloo are hailed as heroes, and as dignitaries wait to greet them, the two passionately embrace in a recovery chamber.
Reader's Guide
Leeloo is the fifth element, recreated by the government from a severed hand in metal armor recovered from the wreckage of a Mondoshawan spacecraft. She is portrayed by Milla Jovovich. She remembers her previous life. After escaping and crashing into Korben Dallas's taxi, she is delivered to priest Vito Cornelius and his apprentice David, who recognizes her as the fifth element. As she recuperates, she tells Cornelius that the stones were not on board the Mondoshawan ship. Learning that Dallas shares her mission, she lets him accompany her to the flying hotel on planet Fhloston. During the concert, the Mangalores attack; Plavalaguna is killed, and Dallas extracts the stones from her body. Zorg arrives, shoots Leeloo, and activates a time bomb. Dallas finds Leeloo traumatized and escapes with her, Cornelius, Rhod, and the stones in Zorg's private spaceship. At the temple, they deploy the stones, but Leeloo, having learned of humanity's history of cruelty, has given up on life. Dallas declares his love for her and kisses her. Leeloo combines the power of the stones, emitting divine light onto the great evil and defeating it. Dallas and Leeloo are hailed as heroes, and as dignitaries wait to greet them, the two passionately embrace in a recovery chamber.
Did You Know?
- Leeloo is recreated by the government from a severed hand in metal armor recovered from the wreckage of a Mondoshawan spacecraft.
- She remembers her previous life after being recreated.
- Leeloo tells Cornelius that the stones were not on board the Mondoshawan ship.
- Zorg shoots Leeloo during the attack on the flying hotel.
- Leeloo combines the power of the stones, emitting divine light onto the great evil and defeating it after Dallas declares his love for her and kisses her.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Leeloo?
Leeloo is the central protagonist of The Fifth Element, an artificial being created by ancient civilizations to protect the universe from periodic destruction. Portrayed by Milla Jovovich, she crash-lands in 23rd-century New York City without any memory but possessing immense physical strength and knowledge of lost languages.
What are Leeloo's powers and role?
As the living embodiment of the Fifth Element, she serves as the missing key required to seal away a cosmic threat known as the Great Evil. Her abilities include superhuman agility, rapid healing, and an instinctive understanding of ancient tongues necessary for her mission.
How does Leeloo's story end?
By combining her essence with the four elemental stones during a climactic battle on Earth, she successfully destroys the Great Evil and saves humanity. Although severely injured in the process, she survives alongside Korben Dallas as they escape together at the film's conclusion.
Why is Leeloo important to the plot?
She represents the final component needed to complete the defense against universal annihilation, making her the only entity capable of activating the elemental stones. Her journey from a confused amnesiac to a conscious warrior drives the narrative and determines the fate of all living things.
Who created Leeloo and why?
She was engineered by an ancient race known as The Ancients specifically to serve as a guardian against recurring cosmic threats. Her creation ensures that when the Great Evil returns, there will always be a warrior ready to neutralize it using the power of the five elements.
More in Characters & Cast
Elsewhere in the The Fifth Element universe
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