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Who was supposed to be the next big actor (for better or for worse). But never happened?

posted 2 years ago by EmperorOfDragons (297)
65 replies | jump to latest

For the longest time you could have said this about Anthony Mackie until fairly recently.

Terrance Howard

Fairuza Balk, although she kinda self sabotaged.

Lisa Bonet, I guess her daughter picked up the mantle.

Joel Kinnamen

Technically The Rock in terms of action stars, because he never got that signature iconic starring role yet imo.

Iko Iwais, maybe it's the language barrier? Same with Tony Jaa

Donny Yen, he had to move back to China to become a big star.

Derek Luke

Kerry Washington

Kadeem Hardison

Sam Worthington was less a rising star and more like a teacher's pet being shoved down your throat by Hollywood. But his career never really took off regardless.

Paula Patton. Like wtf happened there??

[–] Dogiswhite (1288) 2 years ago

Cillian Murphy. After 28 Days Later and Red Eye, it seemed like he was going to be a big star.

[–] [deleted] 2 years ago

he's done pretty well, but seems to have more of a character actor sort of career than an A lister's.

[–] Dogiswhite (1288) 2 years ago

My point exactly. He seemed to be set to have his own franchise then suddenly becomes a supporting player. Not that his career is bad, he's done some good parts.

[–] Mustang (5421) 2 years ago

Australian actor Eric Bana was doing well for a while, down here he played comedic characters on comedy skit shows.

I think he either hit the wall or decided he wanted to slow it down so is back home now and wants to make films here.

[–] actionkamen (23176) 2 years ago

Armie Hammer

[–] Mustang (5421) 2 years ago

Elisabeth Shue - I thought she would have become a bigger star. I know she’s down well but I think some of her roles after Karate Kid weren’t mainstream enough.

Diane Lane - she also has mostly been in films that were edgier and did the rom com thing a little later on.

[–] Dogiswhite (1288) 2 years ago

Elisabeth Shue - I kinda thought that was what she was aiming for with Leaving Las Vegas, but everyone praised Nicholas Cage on that one and acted as if anyone could have done her part. It's the only movie that she did nude scenes, too. Then back to her typical girlfriend role.

[–] Mustang (5421) 2 years ago

She's done nude and/or topless in other films but Leaving Las Vegas was the most explicit. Cage was still on top of the world back then and it seemed he could do no wrong. He was very over hyped. He is C grade now if not lower.

I am sure Hollywood politics plays a big part in who gets to be big and who gets the support a lot of the time. Shue just seemed to deserve better roles. Then again she may have chosen based on what interested her.

[–] Dogiswhite (1288) 2 years ago

True but I think an Oscar nomination would have definitely helped her career at that time. Maybe she would have been offered better roles than the love interest.

[–] huwdj (4566) 2 years ago

Patsy Kensit.
I watched Lethal Weapon 2 last night and was remembering all the hype around her in this film - and she is very good in it. I was a little surprised how many film credits she has and I only recognise one or two of them. I get the impression she chose to pursue a life and career in the UK rather than Hollywood which pretty much closed the door on being a GBS (Great Big Star - a term I remember from one of David Niven's autobiographies). Being married to a rock star probably didn't help either.

[–] [deleted] 2 years ago

Going back a little bit, Pamela Franklin. She was a child actress who did a few movies in her late teens and twenties that got her some attention and looked like she would pull off the transition to adult roles. Things went downhill quickly for her, though. She ended up doing TV shows and B movies until pretty much retiring in the 80s.

Jennifer Jason Leigh has had a solid career, but I always thought she could have been bigger. She's really versatile but never seems to get that much recognition.

[–] actionkamen (23176) 2 years ago

Brendan Fraser

[–] creolefemme1 (280) 2 years ago

Richard Greico

[–] EmperorOfDragons (297) 2 years ago

Damn, haven't heard that name in AGES!!