Future of Movie Stars: Who Will Shine? Who Will Fade Away?

[UYI]

Lindsay seems to be to be somewhat on the path to getting her life back.  Ever since she moved to London last year, I haven't really heard any "bad" stories about her.  She did the play on West End and maybe even worked on a smaller movie.  She seems relatively quiet the last six months. Or whenever I see her in the news it is more for making an appearance or out on the town at an event.  Nothing about causing trouble anywhere.  Unless I may have missed something?

 

There were the stories about part of her community service being at a kids' daycare or something like that, and how parents protested her being there, and then she didn't show up on time for that! And yet the judge still took her off probation, saying she had enough hours, even though she seemed to have a LONG way to go. 

 

This might not be true, but there was also a story about her turning a Burger King commercial a few months ago. 

[dusang]

Kirsten Dunst was a fellow child actress with Portman.She's two years younger but she was already kissing Brad Pitt in Interview With a Vampire the same year Portman was in The Professional.  Only one episode has aired but I'm already enjoying Dunst in the new season of Fargo the series on FX. She's great with the Minnesota accent, which she had done way back in Drop Dead Gorgeous in 1999.

 

I have generally mixed feelings on Kirsten Dunst -- partly because child stars invariably say stupid shit at some point in their teens, partly because my tween self seethed with envy over her kissing Brad Pitt, and partly because her Mary Jane was one of the worst things about the Spiderman series (which IMHO had a multitude of bad things to pick from) -- but Drop Dead Gorgeous was so fucking funny I just cannot really hate her.  And she seems to be in a really good personal/professional place, considering I know nothing about her except that she's now starring in Fargo, so good on her.

 

(Also, Bring It On is the best.)

Edited October 14, 2015 by dusang

[Cobalt Stargazer]

Well, [Natalie Portman] was originally supposed to be Juliet to Leo's Romeo, but they changed their mind because in the footage it looked like Leo was molesting a little girl. Probably the right call.

 

Yet Claire Danes is actually two years younger than Portman, who was born in '81.

[UYI]

 

Yet Claire Danes is actually two years younger than Portman, who was born in '81.

 

Not only that, but in the pilot of My So-Called Life, Claire was 13 playing 15. It's very rare for a younger teen actress to play an older teen, but the producers were so impressed with Claire that they kept her anyway.

[methodwriter85]

 

Yet Claire Danes is actually two years younger than Portman, who was born in '81.

 

No, two years older. She was born in 1979.

 

Natalie Portman, Kirsten Dunst, and Claire Danes are basically peers who actually played teenagers when they were teenagers. They all seem relatively okay and successful, of course with Natalie being the most successful in terms of having an Oscar and basically her pick of movies.

 

Kirsten Dunst, I think, just had straight burnout. Check out her IMDB page- she worked a LOT as a child and a teenager, for about a ten-year period from the early 90's to the early 2000's. Then she had a slow down after the Spiderman movies were done, and I don't really blame her.

[Ohwell]

I still get Claire Danes, Kirsten Dunst and Julia Stiles mixed up. 

[methodwriter85]

Hey, it looks like we've got a newly emerging Hey, It's That Guy in Jon Bernthal (Walking Dead.) I've seen him in three movies this year in very Hey, It's That Guy roles.

 

I wonder if we'll see him appear with Scoot McNairy or Judy Greer soon. LOL

 

Honestly, if I were an actor, I'd totally want to be an Hey, It's That Guy. You work, you get paid, but you still have relative anonymity save for a few people wondering about if you were in that thing playing that guy.

Edited October 18, 2015 by methodwriter85

[UYI]

Hey, it looks like we've got a newly emerging Hey, It's That Guy in Jon Bernthal (Walking Dead.) I've seen him in three movies this year in very Hey, It's That Guy roles.

 

I wonder if we'll see him appear with Scoot McNairy or Judy Greer soon. LOL

 

Honestly, if I were an actor, I'd totally want to be an Hey, It's That Guy. You work, you get paid, but you still have relative anonymity save for a few people wondering about if you were in that thing playing that guy.

 

This. Add in voiceover work, which can go on forever, and as far as I'm concerned, you've got it made in show business.

[dusang]

I was just rewatching an old episode of The Closer and looked up the IMDb history for one of the suspects.  He's no one you would know or recognize but he's been working solidly for about 20 years and has over 90 on-screen credits.  He's usually a single-episode, named character on procedurals with a few movie and TV-movie credits.  And I started wondering about the basic economics of acting -- he's ranging from 3 to 5 screen credits a year as an unknown guest actor or low-budget lead, is he making a living?

[vb68]

Kim Dickens is another one for me.  I've seen her in all these supporting parts for years.  Then she  kinda had a breakthrough in Gone Girl.  I thought she was probably the best thing about that movie, and I didn't even recognize her at first.  And  now she's the lead in a show.  I'm really happy she has done well for herself.

[Kel Varnsen]

Kim Dickens is another one for me.  I've seen her in all these supporting parts for years.  Then she  kinda had a breakthrough in Gone Girl.  I thought she was probably the best thing about that movie, and I didn't even recognize her at first.  And  now she's the lead in a show.  I'm really happy she has done well for herself.

Yea I have been rewatching Deadwood over the past few months (for the first time in years) and while Swearengen and Bullock and Charlie Utter are good as always a real standout for me this time has been Kim Dickens as Joanie Stubbs. She kills it in pretty much every scene she is in.

[Athena]

Honestly, if I were an actor, I'd totally want to be an Hey, It's That Guy. You work, you get paid, but you still have relative anonymity save for a few people wondering about if you were in that thing playing that guy.

 

 

This. Add in voiceover work, which can go on forever, and as far as I'm concerned, you've got it made in show business.

 

 

I was just rewatching an old episode of The Closer and looked up the IMDb history for one of the suspects.  He's no one you would know or recognize but he's been working solidly for about 20 years and has over 90 on-screen credits.  He's usually a single-episode, named character on procedurals with a few movie and TV-movie credits.  And I started wondering about the basic economics of acting -- he's ranging from 3 to 5 screen credits a year as an unknown guest actor or low-budget lead, is he making a living?

 

I have an actor friend who lives in NYC so we've discussed some of these things before. She's done extras work on a lot of big name TV shows and movies.

 

As with many creative professions, acting work is cyclical and you'll have feast/famine times unless you're a name actor and even then, there is no guarantee you'll get the same quality work or pay as you did before. It depends largely on where you live, who you know, your own experiences/strengths, etc.

 

In the economics side of things, it depends on the roles and how much the production pays. Some actors will also do a lot of stage work or small projects (short films) that may not pay a lot, but will still earn them money. They may not list them on their IMDB and stage work doesn't. A lot of the times, the actor has a side gig and/or good savings. It is rare for someone to be able to always support themselves on smaller roles like this. There are just too many low times to have a steady income. However, these kind of actors also get a lot in the way of residuals especially from things like procedurals which are unusually in syndication.

 

Trends play a factor here as well. I remember reading a Jon Hamm quote that said he was not getting work for a long time before Mad Men because his look was not in. He has a very old school Hollywood handsome face, but as an up and coming actor in the 90s, I think prettier boys were in trend. In the 2000s, geekier and more awkward looking male actors were getting leads in roles as well (Judd Apatow movies).

 

Voice work seems interesting, but my friend says that it's a harder world to break into as a result of how good it is. Once you get an established VO career, you don't want to leave so it's even more competitive. The longevity for that career is better too since it removes a lot of the superficiality and trends.

 

I heard a podcast about producer Jason Blum's business model to movie making. One thing he does to ensure "cheapness" is make sure that small speaking roles are almost nonexistent. Once you get to speak on screen, the production has to pay you more. Usually a lot more depending on the contract.

[Rick Kitchen]

I knew of a HITG actor who popped up in a lot of things, TV shows and movies, but he was also an acting teacher at a local state college.

[AimingforYoko]

One of the most ubiquitous H!ITG actors, Stephen Tobolowsky, has a podcast and wrote a book about being a H!ITG actor called The Tobolowsky Files.

The A.V. Club interviewed him about it a few years ago.

[dusang]

One of the most ubiquitous H!ITG actors, Stephen Tobolowsky, has a podcast and wrote a book about being a H!ITG actor called The Tobolowsky Files.

The A.V. Club interviewed him about it a few years ago.

 

But see, I'm thinking of even less-known actors than HiTGs.  Although we are a particularly well-informed group relative to the general population of TV watchers, we know the names of HiTGs and we actually can list multiple credits.  They're famous in their own way.  Then there's the tier below HiTGs, who manage to have consistent work but they are sufficiently below the radar that you probably don't connect all of their roles and don't recognize them when they show up on Castle one week and NCIS six months later.  They are servicable actors with generic faces -- nothing too remarkable to set them apart from anyone else.

 

On a total side note, I've also noticed when looking at The Closer and Major Crimes episode cast lists, every "hot guy" in their 20s guest has ended up on The Vampire Diaries and/or The Originals.  Seriously, that casting director has mad skillz in finding the prettiest of pretty people.

Edited October 20, 2015 by dusang

[methodwriter85]

But see, I'm thinking of even less-known actors than HiTGs.  Although we are a particularly well-informed group relative to the general population of TV watchers, we know the names of HiTGs and we actually can list multiple credits.  They're famous in their own way.  Then there's the tier below HiTGs, who manager to have consistent work but they are sufficiently below the radar that you probably don't connect all of their roles and don't recognize them when they show up on Castle one week and NCIS six months later.  They are servicable actors with generic faces -- nothing too remarkable to set them apart from anyone else.

 

It's funny to think of there being tiers in Hey, It's That Guy, but you're right. Judy Greer is definitely the top Hey, It's That Guy- she's not relegated to guest-starring spots on NCIS or something...she has a very solid career as a supporting actress in movies. I would say Scoot McNairy is getting on that same level- he's popped up in a lot of pretty big movies like Argo and Gone Girl, and he has a t.v. show on AMC.

 

 

He has a very old school Hollywood handsome face, but as an up and coming actor in the 90s, I think prettier boys were in trend. In the 2000s, geekier and more awkward looking male actors were getting leads in roles as well (Judd Apatow movies).

 

That's a pretty interesting thought. The two biggest male ingenues of the 2000's- Ryan Gosling and Jake Gyllenhaal- were very cute but both had a quirkiness to their faces to go along with their ripped bodies.

 

The pretty boys right now aren't doing that well (Alex Pettyfer, Chris Hemsworth outside of Thor), or they have to wait until they're in their 30's before leading man status courts them. (Bradley Cooper, Chris Pratt, Channing Tatum.)

 

In Chris Pratt's case, he coated himself in fat, did t.v. comedies that got him respect as an actor, but then proved, "Oh hey, I CAN look like a leading man!" and it paid off pretty well.

 

It was actually a pretty great strategy for him to have put on weight. If he had remained looking like this, Chris would have never been taken seriously as a comedic actor. He would have been stuck playing variations of the blond bully well into his 30's.

Edited October 20, 2015 by methodwriter85

[Kel Varnsen]

Voice work seems interesting, but my friend says that it's a harder world to break into as a result of how good it is. Once you get an established VO career, you don't want to leave so it's even more competitive. The longevity for that career is better too since it removes a lot of the superficiality and trends.

I read an AV Club interview with Elizabeth Daily (Dottie from Pee Wee's Big Adventure) last week. She has done a lot of voice work and one thing that she confirmed (that I always suspected about the top level voice people) is that she is able to do a lot of her voice recording in her own home. Which makes it even more awesome since you don't even have to leave your house and go to a studio or anything and still be part of a movie or TV show.

[UYI]

I read an AV Club interview with Elizabeth Daily (Dottie from Pee Wee's Big Adventure) last week. She has done a lot of voice work and one thing that she confirmed (that I always suspected about the top level voice people) is that she is able to do a lot of her voice recording in her own home. Which makes it even more awesome since you don't even have to leave your house and go to a studio or anything and still be part of a movie or TV show.

 

That's Tommy Pickles from Rugrats to me, thank you. ;) #90skid

[methodwriter85]

She was also Loryn in Valley Girl. She had this great little scene in it, too.

[Bruinsfan]

I can think of at least three wide release non-Marvel movies in the past couple of years where Chris Hemsworth was the male lead, so I think he's moved quite a bit above HITG status.

[VCRTracking]

That's a pretty interesting thought. The two biggest male ingenues of the 2000's- Ryan Gosling and Jake Gyllenhaal- were very cute but both had a quirkiness to their faces to go along with their ripped bodies.

 

I remember first seeing Gosling as the dweeby guy on Breaker High, a late 90s teen show about a school that was on a cruise ship. Then he got acclaim in 2001's The Believer where he played a self-hating Jewish kid who becomes a skinhead. He didn't achieve hearthrob status  until The Notebook in 2004(where he wins Rachel McAdams from pretty boy and perennial romantic runner up James Marsden).

[Rick Kitchen]

Actually he got his start on the Mickey Mouse Club at the same time as Britney, Justin and Christina.

[JBC344]

I always appreciate that Ryan always has wonderful things to say about his time on the MMC.

 

I remember when Britney was having her meltdown a few years ago and he wrote a nice post about how lovely it was to grow up with her and how his first kiss was with her.  He recognized that she was a star even back then and she was the hardest worker, and that he always thinks of her fondly.

 

He also spoke about how Keri Russell was the "mom" on set and that she was especially protective of Britney and Christina when they were young.

[cynic]

But see, I'm thinking of even less-known actors than HiTGs.  Although we are a particularly well-informed group relative to the general population of TV watchers, we know the names of HiTGs and we actually can list multiple credits.  They're famous in their own way.  Then there's the tier below HiTGs, who manage to have consistent work but they are sufficiently below the radar that you probably don't connect all of their roles and don't recognize them when they show up on Castle one week and NCIS six months later.  They are servicable actors with generic faces -- nothing too remarkable to set them apart from anyone else.

 

I read an article a while back about Michael O'Neill and his struggle as a middle-class working actor. At the time, I knew him from his small role as Secret Service agent Ron Butterfield on the West Wing. He talked about how hard it was to get enough parts or high enough pay to support you family or how most SAG actors don't make enough to even keep eligible for health insurance. He had considered hanging up the towel. Looking at his imdb now, I'm glad to see he's worked pretty steadily for the last ten years. I hope he's doing better financially. Here's the article if you're interested.

 

http://www.dennisbaker.net/michal-oneill-life-of-hollywood/

 

As for the experiences of the high tier HITG, there's a documentary about them featuring many HITGs including some of my favorite ones like Xander Berkeley and Zeljko Ivanek. It's called "That Guy ... Who Was in That Thing". You might be able to find it on Netflix or somewhere.

[VCRTracking]

I remember the 2000 SAG strike about commercial actors prostesting the end of "pay per play" residuals from network airings for ads. Tim Robbins along with other bigger name actors supported their fellow union members. Talking about it on Conan O'Brien later there was an amusing moment where he mentioned one time protesting and holding signs with actors from daytime soaps. He looked around and suddenly realized that he was in the most good looking picket line he'd ever seen!

[vb68]

Here is the yearly list from Vulture.   I guess a lot of it makes sense and is fairly predictable, but there are some head scratchers for sure.   Charlie Hunnam all the way up at number 69 seems very generous.  And Timberlake one slot behind Tom Hardy?  Seriously?    I would love to know how they figure Cate Blanchett has very low scores from critics as well.   

[raezen]

I saw the film 'Testament of Youth ' on Remembrance Day and I think I'm officially a Alicia Vikander fan now. I thought she was wonderful in a performance I've heard a lot less about then her 'Ex Machine' and 'The Man From UNCLE' roles recently,and quite frankly if I see 'The Danish Girl' in theatres it will be more for her then Reddymayne, who seems to have mixed reviews for that one.

[dusang]

Here is the yearly list from Vulture.   I guess a lot of it makes sense and is fairly predictable, but there are some head scratchers for sure.   Charlie Hunnam all the way up at number 69 seems very generous.  And Timberlake one slot behind Tom Hardy?  Seriously?    I would love to know how they figure Cate Blanchett has very low scores from critics as well.   

 

Huh... there seems to be a lot of bullshit factors included there.

[methodwriter85]

I remember first seeing Gosling as the dweeby guy on Breaker High, a late 90s teen show about a school that was on a cruise ship. Then he got acclaim in 2001's The Believer where he played a self-hating Jewish kid who becomes a skinhead. He didn't achieve hearthrob status  until The Notebook in 2004(where he wins Rachel McAdams from pretty boy and perennial romantic runner up James Marsden).

 

Which kind of underscores the point that the 90's pretty boy trend had given way to the more geekier/everyman look in the 2000's. I do think Ryan and Jake were the biggest male ingenues of the 2000's in terms of the buzz that surrounded them- I can't think of anyone else that got close...maybe Shia LeBeouf? But even they didn't really hit mega-star status.

 

It's kind of hard to say what's "in" right now. I don't think young pretty boys are really doing all that well- Zach Efron can't find a hit to save his life. They might stage a comeback, though, as we hit the second half of this decade.

 

It does feel like no one is really hitting the mega-star status until they're in their 30's, but that's always kind of been true. There's usually one guy per decade that does that when he's under 30- Travolta in the 1970's, Cruise in the 80's, and Leo as well as Will Smith in the 90's.

Edited November 18, 2015 by methodwriter85

[AshleyN]

 I would love to know how they figure Cate Blanchett has very low scores from critics as well.   

The critics scores in general are weird. According to them, critics prefer Ben Affleck to Daniel Day Lewis, which is an...interesting take, to say the least.

[raezen]

This is really just looking like a high school popularity contest but with millions of dollars involved.

[Bruinsfan]

 I would love to know how they figure Cate Blanchett has very low scores from critics as well.   

This is a puzzler to me, as I recall reading exactly ONE negative review of a Cate Blanchett performance in her entire career and it was by a critic apparently working under the mistaken impression that her Lady Tremaine in Cinderella was supposed to be a drag queen. (Seriously, it's the wierdest review I've read since that James Franco Vice Magazine article about Man of Steel that made him come off as Henry Cavill's bitter, stalkery ex.)

[dusang]

This is a puzzler to me, as I recall reading exactly ONE negative review of a Cate Blanchett performance in her entire career and it was by a critic apparently working under the mistaken impression that her Lady Tremaine in Cinderella was supposed to be a drag queen. (Seriously, it's the wierdest review I've read since that James Franco Vice Magazine article about Man of Steel that made him come off as Henry Cavill's bitter, stalkery ex.)

I am interested in reading both those reviews.

[Bruinsfan]

Here's a piece by someone else highlighting the relevant part of the Franco review. My immediate thought after reading it (and between the lines) was that Henry should avoid buying any pet rabbits.

[methodwriter85]

I really wonder what things would have been like had the Twilight adaption happened sooner, or Henry had stayed in his twink stage longer instead of going all rugged. I wonder what he might have done with the part. But alas, Henry wasn't meant to stay a pretty boy past his early 20's.

 

As for James Franco...it's weird to see somehow who was THAT good-looking and that talented waste it by refusing to get more than two hours of sleep and being off-putting.

 

Anyway, Brandon Routh...I seriously wonder what it must have been like to be expected to carry something that big, and then watch everybody rip it to shreds basically killing any chance you had at a movie career. Sometimes the gamble of casting a relatively unknown in a big part in a huge movie pays off, sometimes it doesn't, in this case.

Edited November 24, 2015 by methodwriter85

[dusang]

I really wonder what things would have been like had the Twilight adaption happened sooner, or Henry had stayed in his twink stage longer instead of going all rugged. I wonder what he might have done with the part. But alas, Henry wasn't meant to stay a pretty boy past his early 20's.

 

As for James Franco...it's weird to see somehow who was THAT good-looking and that talented waste it by refusing to get more than two hours of sleep and being off-putting.

 

Anyway, Brandon Routh...I seriously wonder what it must have been like to be expected to carry something that big, and then watch everybody rip it to shreds basically killing any chance you had at a movie career. Sometimes the gamble of casting a relatively unknown in a big part in a huge movie pays off, sometimes it doesn't, in this case.

 

Yeah, it's too bad for Brandon Routh because he did well with what he was given, people just generally hated what he had been given.  I feel similarly with Henry Cavill, as Man of Steel is (IMHO) a waste of time except for the scenes were Henry took his shirt off.  Gym Jones did a damn fine job with him.  If they could find a way to make a beard part of the Clark Kent disguise I'd be way more interested in seeing Batman v. Superman.

[Trini]

Yeah, I agree Routh wasn't the problem with Superman Returns; I actually really liked his Clark Kent.

[absnow54]

I'm glad Brandon Routh is getting another chance with the DC universe, albeit the television one. Maybe it's because he stars in one of the least obnoxious Hallmark Christmas Movies, but I really like him.

[Bruinsfan]

Yeah, I agree Routh wasn't the problem with Superman Returns; I actually really liked his Clark Kent.

I hated his Clark Kent, but I hated Reeve's take on the character too (while thinking he was the best Superman ever) and Routh turned in an almost flawless imitation of Reeve's performance.

[SallyAlbright]

Apart from their somewhat similar appearances, Saoirse Ronan really makes me think of a young Cate Blanchett. She absolutely disappears into her roles- for example, I could not stand her as Briony in Atonement (which means she played the part perfectly), and completely fell in love with her in Brooklyn. I think she could have a really long and interesting career. Anyone else impressed? She's one of those actresses who doesn't seem like an "it girl" but rather just an incredibly talented film and stage actress. 

[methodwriter85]

I'm glad Saoirse has finally seemed to find the right adult role for her! I'm planning on seeing Brooklyn, too.

[Athena]

I've liked Saoirse Ronan in everything I've seen of her including The Host (which me and three people watched and found mildly entertaining). She is beautiful and utterly talented. I'd love for her to have a Blantchett career and she seems to be really grounded. I hope she continues to get critical accolades and award nominations so she can get the variety that Blanchett has as well.

[Skyline]

Saoirse has the most piercing eyes. Her performance in Brooklyn is lovely. 

[methodwriter85]

I've liked Saoirse Ronan in everything I've seen of her including The Host (which me and three people watched and found mildly entertaining). She is beautiful and utterly talented. I'd love for her to have a Blantchett career and she seems to be really grounded. I hope she continues to get critical accolades and award nominations so she can get the variety that Blanchett has as well.

 

I actually really liked the Host as well, and thought it was a shame that it flopped so badly. It sounds like she might finally have a successful movie role (in indie terms) in her hands after a string of movies that didn't do so hot or were totally ignored.

 

Speaking of The Host...man, I've liked Jake Abel ever since he was on Cold Case back around 2006-2007 and I really hope he can break into some better parts.

 

Creed looks like it's going to be huge. Good for Michael B. Jordan. I remember him as Reggie on All My Children back when he was a gawky teenager. I also remember Tessa Thompson from Veronica Mars and Cold Case as well, so good on her that she seems to be breaking out into movies.

Edited November 27, 2015 by methodwriter85

[JBC344]

Alex Pettyfer is beginning to admit his issues and take some responsibility.  Not a full blown admission but I'll give credit where credit is due.  My advice to him would be to personally write Channing a letter to clear the air and pay the one month's rent.

 

https://www.yahoo.com/tv/s/alex-pettyfer-describes-rocky-history-204300514.html

[methodwriter85]

I hope he's also apologized to Diana Agron if half of the shit they said about his relationship with her was true.

[Bruinsfan]

If he'd refused to pay because of a confirmed mold issue it would be one thing, but the assumption that others are in the wrong because they expect Special Snowflakes to pay their rent months after a non-immediate family relative dies (and then whining about Channing Tatum's dislike apparently blacklisting him in Hollywood) does not say to me that he's grown up. That article made me dislike him even more, if that's possible.

Edited December 9, 2015 by Bruinsfan

[Cobalt Stargazer]

I've liked Saoirse Ronan in everything I've seen of her including The Host (which me and three people watched and found mildly entertaining). She is beautiful and utterly talented. I'd love for her to have a Blantchett career and she seems to be really grounded. I hope she continues to get critical accolades and award nominations so she can get the variety that Blanchett has as well.

 

And considering that the first really big role she had was playing the universally hated (apparently, at least) Briony in Atonement, that's no small feat.

[Danny Franks]

If he'd refused to pay because of a confirmed mold issue it would be one thing, but the assumption that others are in the wrong because they expect Special Snowflakes to pay their rent months after a non-immediate family relative dies (and then whining about Channing Tatum's dislike apparently blacklisting him in Hollywood) does not say to me that he's grown up. That article made me dislike him even more, if that's possible.

 

I think he's been treated as a special snowflake all his life, by the looks of it. Too many people who have everything they want fall into their laps behave as though they can do whatever they like, and perhaps genuinely don't understand how anyone could find fault with that idea.

 

Some child actors manager to avoid all that and actually become real people. It looks like he hasn't. But honestly, good looking young dudes who want to act are a dime a dozen, so his career going down the pan would be no great loss. Shame he can't take Tatum with him.

 

I saw Bridge of Spies the other night, and felt that Austin Stowell had a strong presence, even while not having much in the way of dialogue. It looks like he's got a packed schedule, so he might have a chance to make it big over the next couple of years.

[methodwriter85]

I think he's been treated as a special snowflake all his life, by the looks of it. Too many people who have everything they want fall into their laps behave as though they can do whatever they like, and perhaps genuinely don't understand how anyone could find fault with that idea.

 

Some child actors manager to avoid all that and actually become real people. It looks like he hasn't. But honestly, good looking young dudes who want to act are a dime a dozen, so his career going down the pan would be no great loss. Shame he can't take Tatum with him.

 

I saw Bridge of Spies the other night, and felt that Austin Stowell had a strong presence, even while not having much in the way of dialogue. It looks like he's got a packed schedule, so he might have a chance to make it big over the next couple of years.

 

His stepfather was a developer and he was a child model by age 6. He's pretty much had people his entire life telling him how good-looking and special he is, combined with a wealthy privileged upbringing, so it's not quite surprising the guy is kind of a monster. Shame. Reading the interview, I don't really think he actually thinks he's in the wrong- it just kind of damage control.

 

As for Channing Tatum- hey! Channing deserves every bit of his success. You can't deny that the guy made it where he is due to a ton of hard work, paying his dues by taking whatever he could take, and being a nice, likeable guy who realizes he's not the best actor around but wants to be better so he tries to learn from being in movies with better actors. He was chugging along in the industry for a good 10 years before he exploded in 2012.

 

Agreed about Austin Stowell. It was pretty much a nothing role with minimal dialogue but I definitely noticed him. I'm actually kind of surprised though that he made it into movies- he really seems to give more of a "t.v. actor" vibe, ala Jensen Ackles, but it'll be interesting to see how he does since it looks like casting directors are liking him.

 

Speaking of Bridge of Spies, I've always liked Billy Magnussen, but I kind of wonder if his looks are going to hold him back a little bit. He basically looks like a grown-up version of the mean blond bully from those 80's teen movies, and his body type is more "compact and built like a brickhouse" than the lanky mesomorphs that leading men tend to be.

Edited December 11, 2015 by methodwriter85