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

[JBC344]

JLO is still acting.  She has a limited cable series that she will start filming soon.  Barry Levinson just signed on to direct the show.  I believe it is a cop show.

[SallyAlbright]

They keep trying to make Blake Lively into this big thing, but she's just too bland to me. I have nothing against her. Perhaps she's a lovely person and actress. However, every time I see this woman, I have to look at the credit or caption and that's when I find out it's Blake. Maybe it's just me who finds her very forgettable. It's very puzzling how I can see her face so many times and still can't remember. But perhaps that's a good thing? That the audience (me) is seeing a character and not the actress? 

Oh, she might be one of the worst actresses around. I'm actually not sure if she still acts or just does her website now, but she has such trouble enunciating that it makes her nearly unbearable to watch for me. I admit I loved the first season of Gossip Girl, but even there she sounded like she had marbles in her mouth. I'm really hoping the days of trying to make her happen as an actress are over since Green Lantern flopped. 

Gotta say I think Channing Tatum is going to go the was of Josh Hartnet. A big whatever happened to. I could be wrong, but I don't see his career lasting longer than his looks.

On the other hand I can see Shia LaBoufe(or however the fuck it's spelled) pulling a Robert Downey Jr. and having some staying power if he lives long enough. Kid may be annoying, but I actually think he's got the goods.

Yeah, I'm hoping LaBeouf is done being an idiot IRL because he was really very good in Fury and I think he can pull off dramatic parts in addition to having great comedic timing (not unlike RDJ, actually.) 

[JBC344]

I actually think that Blake Lively is a good actress with good material.  Her performances in "The Private Lives of Pipa Lee" and "The Town" were critically acclaimed.  I do agree that she is bland and easily forgettable, but I do think she is talented.  What is unfortunate is that I think she is vastly more talented than her husband Ryan Reynolds (whom I like). A lot of fans have assumed that she has pulled back as not to over shadow him, but I don't know if that is true, but she does seem to work about a quarter of the amount that he does.  It might just be her wanting to focus on her marriage and travel with Ryan.

 

Shia really is talented and I actually thought that he was over his BS, but then the Cabaret incident happened.  My hope is that the latest incident has shook some sense into him and he realizes that his career could really be in jeopardy if he continues.  He has already burned bridges with Spielberg and Lucas, which was an incredibly stupid move, even if what he said wasn't necessarily incorrect. 

[Princess Sparkle]

I actually think that Blake Lively is a good actress with good material.  Her performances in "The Private Lives of Pipa Lee" and "The Town" were critically acclaimed.  I do agree that she is bland and easily forgettable, but I do think she is talented.  What is unfortunate is that I think she is vastly more talented than her husband Ryan Reynolds (whom I like). A lot of fans have assumed that she has pulled back as not to over shadow him, but I don't know if that is true, but she does seem to work about a quarter of the amount that he does.  It might just be her wanting to focus on her marriage and travel with Ryan.

 

There have been rumors that Ryan Reynolds doesn't like his partner's career to overshadow his, which is what led to the breakup of he and Scarlett Johannson's marriage.  So as soon as Ryan Reynolds and Blake Lively got married and all of a sudden she didn't have any roles anymore, it gave a little credence to the rumor.

[JBC344]

There have been rumors that Ryan Reynolds doesn't like his partner's career to overshadow his, which is what led to the breakup of he and Scarlett Johannson's marriage.  So as soon as Ryan Reynolds and Blake Lively got married and all of a sudden she didn't have any roles anymore, it gave a little credence to the rumor.

I've heard of this and don't necessarily think it isn't true.  What is weird though is the fact that he seems to date and get engaged to these incredibly talented women (Alanis, Scarlett, Blake)  I mean seriously Scarlett was already a much bigger star than he was when they got married.  She wasn't in the Marvel movies yet but she was still a big actress with a much bigger career than he had. 

 

Even Blake's star was on the rise when she started dating Ryan. 

 

I will always like Ryan because I grew up watching him on "Fifteen", but his career is too "trying to make Fetch happen".  I wish he would focus on settling into more supporting roles.  He has overplayed and outgrown the "overly sarcastic, dry, exalt the man child, Van Wilder" character he seems to like to play and hopefully is focusing on other characters.

[methodwriter85]

I think Ryan Reynolds was at his best in leading man romantic comedy roles, especially Definitely, Maybe and The Proposal. The problem is that no one's making romantic comedies now, and he's just not that convincing in leading action roles.

[absnow54]

I just saw Miles Teller in Whiplash, and I'm continuously impressed by his range. He's got a knack for comedy, but his dramatic chops are just as strong. I'm really interested to see where his career goes, because I think he has staying power no matter how well Fantastic Four ends up doing.

Edited November 6, 2014 by absnow54

[VCRTracking]

I just saw Divergent recently and he was so good playing the douchebag towards Shailene Woodley's character, especially after they played lovers in The Spectacular Now! According to the DVD commentary he came up with an adlip in the scene where they had the Dauntless initiates jump off the roof of a building onto a net and Woodley's Tris is the first volunteer. When Tris takes off her jacket before jumping and Miles goes "Whoo! Take it off!" which was scripted Miles added after "Put it back on!"

[vb68]

Jai Courtney seems to be getting a lot of roles lately.  I don't see what the big deal is, though.  I've only seen him in a couple of things, but I do find him very  generic. It sounds like he's going to be in The Suicide Squad along with the next Terminator film, so casting directors and the studios seem to really like him. 

Edited November 13, 2014 by vb68

[blixie]

 

but I do find him very  generic.

Because he IS very generic. UGH, he's so the next Sam Worthington. All I can assume is that some actors have great agents who get them cast in ton of shit before anyone finds out they lack an iota of charisma.

[ribboninthesky1]

blixie beat me to it - I also thought "younger version of Sam Worthington."  They even look alike to me.

[vb68]

I think he's surpassing Sam Worthington now in the number of opportunities he's getting.   Courtney is moving on to his third or fourth franchise.  I've lost count.

[Amethyst]

I only know Jai Courtney from the Die Hard franchise.  Haven't heard his name in anything else.  Is he really as bland as Worthington?  I've seen planks of wood with more personality.

[Ankai]

He was a fan favorite in the Spartacus series.

[methodwriter85]

I don't know, I kinda liked Jai Courtney as the asshole second-in-command in Divergent. The punk style helped.

[MrsRafaelBarba]

Karl Urban: One of the better in ports from New Zealand. Who can do more. than action.

Highly recommend the film Out of the Blue, based on the Aramoana Massacre that happened in

New Zealand back in the late 90's/early 2000's.

Really a shame he failed to hit it big here.

Then again, it was rumored he turned down the Bruce Wayne/Batman roles in MOS 2.

Andrew Garfield: Been a fan ever since. The Red Riding Trilogy.

Chris Hemsworth can act, his brother is pure struggle.

Jai Courtney has the lug headed look on lock, nice body though.

[methodwriter85]

Jai Courtney just doesn't have a hero's face, which is why I wasn't thrilled about him playing Kyle Reese. We'll see what happens, but I think he's going to have better luck with villain/asshole parts like in Divergent.

 

I really hope that Johnny Deep is embarrassed enough by his Hollywood Film Awards speech that he takes a good, long hard look at himself. That shit is not cute when you're 50 years old. My deepest wish is that he takes time off and get himself together because he clearly has problems if he's willing to embarrass himself like that.

[JBC344]

What the hell was that?  I'm actually hoping that Johnny was drunk there.  If not he is starting to become a caricature of himself.  

[mywinston]

All the Hunger Games stars are doing the media circuit to promote Mockingjay. Hutcherson I alwaya find charismatic and actually enjoyed his acting a long time before Peeta. Lawrence is Lawrence. What I find most curious is how bland I find Liam Hemsworth, even when he's doing something that should be funny and adorable, like prancing around in high heels with Jimmy Fallon. His older brother oozes charm and presence but he just seems so...boring? Bereft of something. And even stranger is he's so attractive. I recall that string of movies he had last year that totally flopped when thet were pushimg him at the next big thing. Not sure all that Miley drama helped matters. Still.

[absnow54]

What I find most curious is how bland I find Liam Hemsworth, even when he's doing something that should be funny and adorable, like prancing around in high heels with Jimmy Fallon. His older brother oozes charm and presence but he just seems so...boring? Bereft of something. And even stranger is he's so attractive.

Liam really lacks the charisma that will make him a leading man. I saw him in some interviews with Woody Harrelson last year and he really is quite funny. Maybe he can make a career out of playing the straight man in romantic comedies, or he can just ditch the whole pretty boy thing and go for dark comedies.

 

I don't think Hemsworth or Hutcherson have benefited much from the Hunger Games craze. Liam's made a handful of flops and Josh doesn't seem to have anything lined up beyond Mockingjay. I'm sure he's probably looking for adult roles, but with the new craze on John Green films, I think Josh would fit in really well with the smart talking teen characters that Green writes.

 

Sam Claflin is the biggest wild card from the Hunger Games series right now. He's failed to make a splash in his earlier franchise work, and the marketing hasn't focused on him much for Mockingjay when this film should be huge for him. I guess Me Before You could be his breakout role.

[methodwriter85]

I'm sure he's probably looking for adult roles, but with the new craze on John Green films, I think Josh would fit in really well with the smart talking teen characters that Green writes.

 

Yeah. I get that Josh is probably sick of teen stuff, but he just can't pull off playing adult roles yet with his babyface. He's like Dave Franco, who didn't get to play adult movie roles until he was like 27. He would fit in very well with the John Green 'Verse...I hope his agent tries to get him into one of those.

 

If Me Before You doesn't get shredded in the adaption process, Sam and Emilia Clarke spark, and Sam is at least adequate, it should be his break-out role. Will Traynor is one hell of a part. I kinda wish they had gone with an older guy since Will is supposed to be 35, but I think Sam can probably pass himself off as that old.

Edited November 18, 2014 by methodwriter85

[Danny Franks]

Karl Urban: One of the better in ports from New Zealand. Who can do more. than action.

Highly recommend the film Out of the Blue, based on the Aramoana Massacre that happened in

New Zealand back in the late 90's/early 2000's.

Really a shame he failed to hit it big here.

Then again, it was rumored he turned down the Bruce Wayne/Batman roles in MOS 2.

 

 

Karl Urban was great in Dredd, which is a movie that was criminally overlooked by too much of the cinema-going public. If ever a movie deserved to be a hit, it's that one. The fact that Urban oozes charisma and menace, even with three quarters of his face covered for the entire film, proves that the idiots who made Judge Dredd in the 90s really, really didn't know what they were doing.

[herbaltease]

She's a TV star, but I wonder if Kaley Cuoco could potentially become the next Jennifer Aniston. They have so much in common looks- and talent-wise; a transition to movies post-Big Bang Theory wouldn't surprise me.

Edited November 18, 2014 by 80srockher

[KatWay]

 

She's a TV star, but I wonder if Kaley Cuoco could potentially become the next Jennifer Aniston. They have so much in common looks- and talent-wise; a transition to movies post-Big Bang Theory wouldn't surprise me.

 

I don't think Jennifer Aniston has much range, but she's still a better actress than Kaley Cuoco IMO. Kaley's been pretty much playing herself in every role I've ever seen her in and if you watch her in interviews that's just her persona. So I doubt she'll make the transition into big movies. Also, Aniston was arguably already one of the more famous "Friends" stars, whereas the only real breakout from TBBT so far has been Jim Parsons. This late into the show that seems unlikely to change.

[ruby24]

I don't think Jennifer Aniston has ever been anything other than herself, and I also think you can trace her longstanding movie career (where the sheer number of crappy, forgettably awful movies is overwhelming) directly to the Brangelina scandal and the amount of "pity" and mass tabloid attention she's received forever after in the wake of it.

 

Seriously, that was the best thing to ever happen to her film career. And it's pretty unlikely Kaley Cuoco "suffers" the same fate.

[vb68]

But Jennifer knew how to make the most of her Friends clout and strike while the iron was hot.  She was already getting the lead in movies while the show was still going strong.  I don't watch Big Bang and only have a vague awareness of Kaley Cuoco.  I don't think she's ever had the profile that Jennifer had while she was on Friends.

 

And I'll be a minority voice.  I think Aniston can be quite an enjoyable presence when she's used well, such as the first Horrible Bosses.  I thought she was quite funny in that.

Edited November 18, 2014 by vb68

[Rick Kitchen]

There's a third "Journey to the Center of the Earth" movie announced, so Josh Hutcherson will probably be in that, but it's still a kid role.

[Princess Sparkle]

All the Hunger Games stars are doing the media circuit to promote Mockingjay. Hutcherson I alwaya find charismatic and actually enjoyed his acting a long time before Peeta. Lawrence is Lawrence. What I find most curious is how bland I find Liam Hemsworth, even when he's doing something that should be funny and adorable, like prancing around in high heels with Jimmy Fallon. His older brother oozes charm and presence but he just seems so...boring? Bereft of something. And even stranger is he's so attractive. I recall that string of movies he had last year that totally flopped when thet were pushimg him at the next big thing. Not sure all that Miley drama helped matters. Still.

Whenever I see him, I always think of the Fug Girls recap of The Last Song. They pointed out that he has no charisma and only makes one face during the entire movie, and since then, I've totally realized that they are right. He even makes the same damn face in the Hunger Games.

And I'll be a minority voice. I think Aniston can be quite an enjoyable presence when she's used well, such as the first Horrible Bosses. I thought she was quite funny in that.

I think when Jennifer's the best is when she's in roles that go against type, like in Horrible Bosses. It's a shame she doesn't do more roles like that. Edited November 18, 2014 by Princess Sparkle

[JBC344]

I'm not the biggest Jennifer fan, but I do think she can be tolerable in comedies but I find her to actually excel in dramas. My favorite performance of hers is "The Good Girl", and "Friends with Money" both dramas.  I wish she would get out of this endless romance/romantic comedy roles that have no relevance.  Her playing against type in Horrible Bosses was great, I wish she did more of that but in other genres.

[Bruinsfan]

I remember thinking she was really good doing sketch comedy back on The Edge before her Friends fame. I just never, EVER want to see any will-they-or-won't-they relationship drama involving her ever again.

[absnow54]

There's a third "Journey to the Center of the Earth" movie announced, so Josh Hutcherson will probably be in that, but it's still a kid role.

Let's be real though, no one is showing up in those movies for anything more than a paycheck. I think Josh has made a lot of great kids movies -- Little Manhattan, Zathura, Bridge to Terrebithea -- and I know the Journey movies make a decent amount of money, but I don't think the sequels are doing anything good for his career. I just saw Mockingjay Part 1, and if early indications are accurate, Part 2 may be a breakout for him.

[JBC344]

Josh does have a Pablo Escobar movie that he shot with Benecio Del Toro I believe.  Thant should be coming out soon.

[methodwriter85]

Dakota Johnson Is Forever, Interrupted

 

I gotta admit, while I think her choice in 50 Shades of Grey is questionable, I'm really rooting for her. I can't say I've seen her in challenging material, but what she does have, and what can't really be bought or taught, is presence. She's had all those bit parts over the years in movies and every time, I've noticed her, such as in The Social Network, Beastly, and 22 Jump Street.

 

Thank god she doesn't have her mother's squeaky helium voice. She really seems to favor her father more, in having that cool, laidback vibe to her.

Edited November 19, 2014 by methodwriter85

[manbearpig]

It's nice that Dakota Johnson is doing well and all, but I still wish Ben & Kate was on. Glad she is doing so well though as I thought she was very funny on Ben & Kate.

[methodwriter85]

Brenton Thwaites to Star in Pirates of the Carribbean 5 with Johnny Deep

 

     People seem to be really, really banking on this guy right now. I'm still debating on whether or not I want to watch the Giver and see my childhood classic get butchered. LOL.

 

     At the very least it seems like he's not burning bridges with massive ego the way the last big flavor of the year, Alex Pettyfer, did.

[SallyAlbright]

I just saw Miles Teller in Whiplash, and I'm continuously impressed by his range. He's got a knack for comedy, but his dramatic chops are just as strong. I'm really interested to see where his career goes, because I think he has staying power no matter how well Fantastic Four ends up doing.

Yeah, he really is fantastic. Absolutely incredible in Whiplash, but that film was all around good. The thing that has impressed me most about him is his ability to shine in mediocre or uneven films (The Footloose remake, That Awkward Moment, Divergent, Two Night Stand). I am confident that no matter how good or bad Fantastic Four is, he will come out looking good. That ability should serve him well in the years to come. As much as I (still) like Shia LaBeouf, he has gone toward artsy/edgier/experimental roles while Teller seems poised to take over the "young Tom Hanks" role that LaBeouf was given around 2008. 

[methodwriter85]

Teller's going to make a great "Every Man" because of his versatility. You really can put him into anything and he'll make it work.

Edited November 25, 2014 by methodwriter85

[Bruinsfan]

I remain skeptical that I'll buy him as Reed Richards, but that won't be a make-or-break-your-career type of role.

[methodwriter85]

I feel really bad for Sam Claflin that Finnick got shafted in Mockingjay, but Me Before You should probably be his break-out role.

[methodwriter85]

Gabby Hoffman's comeback, although limited to the t.v. screen, really shocked the hell out of me. Same goes for Anna Chlumsky, but with Gaby Hoffman, she really doesn't have a conventional beauty to her, but she seems to be steadily carving out a comeback for herself.

 

Those are two 90's child stars I didn't expect to see coming back any time soon, so I was pleasantly surprised. With Claire Danes, she was still working steadily before Homeland resurrected her career, but those two really did seem gone until Hoffman started showing up on The Newsroom and Anna did 30 Rock. I'm pleasantly surprised- I liked them both.

 

Gabby Hoffman's stalker character in Veronica Mars was pretty funny, and I'm really, really glad that Anna Chlumsky's back. I remember seeing an update on her like circa the early 2000's where she was trying to become a food critic, and I'm really glad she decided to become an actress again.

 

Child stars who go away for awhile, do other things, and then slowly build themselves back up tend to fare better in the long run, I've noticed.

 

Devon Sawa's also doing a fair amount of t.v. work these days- he doesn't really resemble his Tiger beat pin-up now, but I'm glad to see all three of them are doing well right now as opposed to some of their contemporaries.

 

Poor, poor Jonathan Brandis, R.I.P.

 

In terms of other 90's teen idols, I'm really rooting for Julia Stiles. I was so tickled pink when she showed up as Jennifer Lawrence's sister in Silver Linings Playbook and it made me realize that I miss her starring in movies. She can't ever regain her 90's teen queen crown, but I hope she can move beyond doing a YouTube web series.

Edited January 7, 2015 by methodwriter85

[MrsRafaelBarba]

I see Channing Tatum sticking around because he's paying attention to the business of making movies and he seems to have a good network.  Sort of the Clooney career model.

 

           .Agreed.

            Plus he seems to be  a nice guy,well liked among his peers.

 

            Unlike Hartnett, who's Douchetastic behavior really hurt his career.   

            Though it seems like he's on the comeback trail.

[VCRTracking]

When I saw Haley Joel Osment in the trailer Entourage and I thought it's a shame he turned out so doughy because he's not going to get great roles like he did when he was a kid, and then I realized Phillip Seymour Hoffman pretty much had the same physique and had an amazing career(until his unfortunate death from drug overdose), so there's hope for him getting interesting character parts.

[vb68]

I first noticed Gabby Hoffman's comeback on Girls.    It was interesting because it was an awkward, seemingly off-balanced character even by Girls standards.   I am not surprised if she got some heat coming off it.

 

Where is Thora Birch these days? 

Edited January 7, 2015 by vb68

[Princess Sparkle]

 

 

Where is Thora Birch these days? 

Unfortunately, I think her dad's antics basically killed her career.  He's gotten her fired at least twice since 2010, he apparently was always a nightmare on movie sets before that, and I think most people probably don't want to bother with her anymore.

[Sharpie66]

IOW, the Kit Culkin Syndrome.

[caracas1914]

So how many jump starts to a career is Collin Farrel allowed?

The aggregate total of Every female actress past the age of thirty squared is my estimation.

Edited January 7, 2015 by caracas1914

[proserpina65]

So how many jump starts to a career is Collin Farrel allowed?

The aggregate total of Every female actress past the age of thirty squared is my estimation.

If he'd keep doing work like he did in "In Bruges", I'd say as many as he wants, because he can be terrific.  But he really needs to be a lot pickier when it comes to choosing projects; when the material's good, so is he but when it's bad . . .

[Princess Sparkle]

IOW, the Kit Culkin Syndrome.

Exactly, only worse - if I remember correctly, whenever she had a love scene in a movie (even after she was of age), he would stay on set and then give the actors in the scene "pointers" on how best to pretend to have sex with his daughter.  I can't imagine how mortifying that would be for everyone involved.  

[JBC344]

Exactly, only worse - if I remember correctly, whenever she had a love scene in a movie (even after she was of age), he would stay on set and then give the actors in the scene "pointers" on how best to pretend to have sex with his daughter.  I can't imagine how mortifying that would be for everyone involved.  

OMG, I remember those stories.  Incredibly creepy.

[Sharpie66]

Oh, ick.

 

The Kit Culkin story that I remember hearing about a few years later that really bit both him and Macaulay in the rears was when Macaulay was supposed to present for the Oscars when he was around 13 or so. About a week before the show, Kit pulled his usual BS and demanded either a more prominent award for his son to present (he was scheduled for short subjects, IIRC) or more money for him, or he would pull him off the show entirely. The producer wouldn't budge, Kit did what he threatened, so the producer called up Elijah Wood's mom (his manager) and asked if he was available. He stepped in, learned the lines like a pro, and was the star of the show because all of the Hollywood elite in that audience knew what was up. It got both Elijah and his mom a lot of respect in that town, as well as some decent film offers afterwards, and it was one of the reasons why Macaulay's career took a nose dive as he went into puberty.