also known as The Professional) is a 1994 English-language French thriller film written and directed by Luc Besson. The film stars Jean Reno and Gary Oldman, and features the film debut of Natalie Portman. In the film Leon (Reno), a professional hitman, reluctantly takes in 12-year-old girl Mathilda (Portman), after her family is murdered by corrupt Drug Enforcement Administration agent Norman Stansfield (Oldman). Léon and Mathilda form an unusual relationship, as she becomes his protégée and learns the hitman's trade.