Some movie stars rise to the top, no questions asked.
Cary Grant. John Wayne. Clint Eastwood. Meryl Streep.
But other actors seem to have most of the ingredients necessary to reach the A-list but remain on a lower acting rung.
WWTW offers up five actors who appear tailor made for super stardom – it just hasn’t happened yet.
- Chiwetel Ejiofor: Must be the name, right? How else to explain why Ejiofor hasn’t broken through yet, despite showing an ability to play a mysterious villain (“Serenity”) and a drag queen (“Kinky Boots”) all over the space of a few years.
- Elizabeth Banks: Even during a quickie Oscar night presentation she sparkled with beauty and charm. She can do funny (“The 40-Year-Old Virgin”) and drama (“W.”) and never break a sweat. Somebody write her a great role, stat.
- Timothy Olyphant: Sometimes a star turn can arrive when you least expect it. I remember watching “The Girl Next Door,” a forgettable sex comedy, when I first saw Olyphant on screen. He didn’t steal the movie. He gave it a reason to exist. He’s struggled to find roles that match his blend of good looks and danger in the interim. Looks like he might have it with the FX series “Justified.” It’s a shame his best work remains on the small screen.
- Clive Owen: This handsome Brit has come close … so very close … but his career remains in neutral. He almost got cast as James Bond, and that would have secured his star status. Instead, he’s anchored science fiction morality tales (“Children of Men” and thankless weepies (“The Boys Are Back”) while stalling in franchise wannabes like “The International.”
- Readers’ choice: Who do you think should be a bigger star … but isn’t just yet? And why?
BTW … one of the best ways to watch tomorrow’s stars today is on a top-shelf LED or Plasma HDTV.
(Photo: Actress Elizabeth Banks seems one hit movie away from being on the A list.)
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{ 20 comments… read them below or add one }
How about Anna Faris? “Observe and Report” wasn’t a very good movie overall, but she stole every scene she was in. Faris just needs to find a first rate comedic screenplay. Easier said than done, I’d wager.
Great pick, Paula. She’s always the best thing about a mediocre – or worse – comedy. How about teaming her up with Judd Apatow or another sharp comic mind and see what happens?
paul giamatti
zooey deschanel
damian lewis
These are great picks Christian. I really like both Ejiofor and Olyphant (Seth Bullock, I love you). Olyphant steals “A Perfect Getaway.”
I think Clive Owen is the biggest movie star on this list and I think he does draw audiences to the movies he stars in.
I find Peter Sarsgaard to be an attractive man and very competent actor, but he seems to always play second fiddle (one of his biggest role was recent in “An Education.”
And what about Edward Norton? Would you put him on this list or do you believe he’s already made it to the top?
I second Farris and Ejiofor. Nathan Fillion for sure, and I’ve recently become a fan of Jeremy Renner. I hope he gets some more roles, although Kyle Smith linked to an article suggesting he would be appearing in the Battleship movie. Not good news for anyone.
There are no major movie stars anymore; just well-known, highly-paid actors. This isn’t the start of some sort of nostalgic rant, it’s a statement of fact: there are no actors active in American movies who can ‘open’ even a medium-budgeted movie – up to about ten years ago, the ability to open a movie was virtually the sole qualification to be a star. Even Will Smith and Adam Sandler can’t do it anymore.
Cillian Murphy was phenomenal in the otherwise forgettable RED EYE. He followed that up w/ a nice turn in BATMAN BEGINS.
Joseph Gordon Levitt is good in every thing he does. He needs to shed the baby face image, however. I know he’s trying – cough*G.I.JOE*cough.
The LOST fan in me wonders if Josh Holloway will transition into movies.
BTW, Olyphant was the best part of GO.
Matthew Fox. He’s been mostly a TV actor thus far, but he gave great performances in We Are Marshall and Vantage Point, and he has alot of charisma and screen presence. And unlike 75% of the actors getting lead roles right now, he’s an adult.
Also, I agree with you about Olyphant- he was alot of fun in Go and A Perfect Getaway, but it was his work on Deadwood that convinced me that he was leading man material.
hailstate, I would love to see Josh Holloway break into movies. Wouldn’t he be great in a Western?
how about all of the Jesse James boys:
1. Casey Affleck
2. Jeremy Renner
3. Sam Rockwell
4. Garret Dillahunt
5. Paul Schneider
I think Elizabeth Banks has had one great role: Seabiscuit. I thought she was absolutely terrific and better than the roles listed (“W” and “40-Year old Virgin”). Yes, that was a supporting role, but she lit up the screen.
I’d agree with Zooey, she seems great in everything she is in, but doesn’t seem to be one of those big names. Gabriel Byrne seems like he should have been bigger, although he’s past that point now. I find it easier to come up with names going the other way, as in – How did X ever become a star? (think Keanu Reeves as an example)
Great conversation here, everyone. Really appreciate the sharp comments.
I thought Gabriel Byrne was a lock after “Miller’s Crossing,” but his career didn’t pan out the way I expected.
And Rockwell is terrific in nearly every project he picks (save “Gentlemen Broncos”). Rent “Joshua,” an underrated thriller.
I’ll tell you how Keanu became a star… Johnny Utah. With a name like that, you shoot straight to the top!
Zooey Deschanel: Beautiful and charming. In some ways, a modern Audrey Hepburn.
Matthew Fox has the looks of an action star.
Elizabeth Banks is also beautiful and charming.
Anna Faris is brilliant with comedy (Watch SCARY MOVIES).
Just saw “Slither” with Elizabeth Banks.
Wow… I’m not really a fan of horror, but I do like Nathan Fillion and I like funny and this one fit the bill. Totally gross, but I couldn’t look away.
But, honestly, EB acts exactly the same in every movie… do you really think she could ever be a big star?
I do like the character she ususally plays… she seems cool… like someone I’d have a beer with.
Zooey Deschanel is adorable but she has very limited range and can only play one type of role. Cillian Murphy is a nice character actor, I would not want him to be a movie star
Totally agree with Elizabeth Banks and Ejiofor.
There is definitely nothing wrong with not being a movie star and simply a hard working actor who gets the job done. Heck, to me, those guys are 100x better than the Tom Cruise and George Clooney of the world who play the same character in every single movies.
Emma Stone is on her way.
Nice list of actors. I always forget their names but I remember the faces when I see them.
Jamie Bell. He was only popular for “Billy Elliot”. He was also awesome in Jumper(even though not the best movie).