Top 25 Actors Under 35: Part II
20. Tobey Maguire
Castor: Tobey Maguire started gaining significant attention in 1997 with his role in Ang Lee’s film The Ice Storm. He soon found himself in a variety of lead roles where he played a thoughtful boy coming of age, in critically acclaimed films such as Pleasantville, The Cider House Rules and Wonder Boys, In 2002, he shot to movie stardom as Spider-Man. He further solidified his stardom in 2003 with a leading role as the jockey John M. “Red” Pollard in the acclaimed film Seabiscuit. Spider-Man 2, the sequel to the original blockbuster, was released in 2004. He also reprised the role of Spider-Man in 2007 with the third movie in the series, Spider-Man 3.
Tobey, who is well known for often playing characters much younger than his real age, has recently made a move toward more mature roles and is starting to rely less on his boyish looks. In the family drama Brothers for which he was nominated for a Golden Globe, he played Cpt. Sam Cahill, a Marine who goes missing in action after his helicopter crashes in Afghanistan. Tobey will also be seen in the historical drama The Crusaders and the comedy The Details.
Red’s Take: Looking at my initial list of about 45 actors that I wrote down for this, Maguire didn’t even make that list. I don’t hate him, but I haven’t ever been moved by anything that he has done. I mean, yeah, he does have one of the most successful movie franchises in the history of cinema to his name, but I don’t think that the Spiderman movies would’ve been any worse with a Jake Gyllenhaal at the helm, as most of you probably know Jake was lined up to replace Maguire mid-series. I can’t comment on his Brothers performance yet, but that role actually had me pretty intrigued at one point. And don’t even get me started on Secretariat, a pure Oscar bait movie if I’ve ever seen one. I will say that I thought Maguire was promising after The Cider House Rules, and even though he did rise to become a star soon after, I figured that he would have more to his name by now.
19. Shia LaBeouf
Castor: At the young age of 24, Shia LaBeouf has turned into a bona-fide movie star. Some will question why he is even on this list after being in stinkers like Transformers 2 and Indiana Jones 4 but hear this out: Mr. LaBeouf is the most bankable actor in Hollywood for the second year in the row according to Forbes. Despite being relatively new to the game, he has already worked with some of the most well-known directors in Hollywood including Oliver Stone, Michael Bay (ahem) and Steven Spielberg. Shia also seems to be serious about having a long-lasting career and I would not be surprised if he succeeds. As seen in Disturbia, he has the charisma and screen presence to carry a movie all by himself.
The next steps for him will be to add some diversity to his roles as he certainly has played the same variation of one character as of late. Taking small supporting roles or being part of an ensemble cast in some more dramatic movies should help him broaden his horizon. His upcoming film Wall Street 2: Money Never Sleeps will be a valuable addition to his resume. Furthermore, a 3-D sequel to Transformers 2 and a romantic comedy called The Necessary Death of Charlie Countryman will keep him in the spotlight into 2011.
Red’s Take: Another one that wouldn’t have made it onto my personal top 25, but I know I’m in the minority. LaBeouf was an early favorite of mine, as I grew up with him on Disney’s Even Stevens. Then he started popping up as a supporting actor in I, Robot and Constantine that showed that he did in fact have a possible bright future for himself in the world of film. While Disturbia was hardly original, he took a huge step forward in commanding an entire film. From then on, to me, everything has been on a pancake flat plateau, if not a decline. Transformers and Eagle Eye came along, with most people claiming him to be one of the brightest and best of a new generation of action stars. But what I saw was rehashing and the same character over and over again, and haven’t been able to take him serious as an actor since. It looks like he might have thrown a change-up with Wall Street 2, but I certainly won’t be holding my breath.
18. Emile Hirsch
Castor: Emile Hirsch broke through with his character in The Girl Next Door in 2004 and the teen flick The Lords of Dogtownthe next year. He received wild critical acclaim–including Oscar buzz– for his portrayal of Christopher McCandless in Into the Wild. Not bad for a 25 years old actor. Because Hirsch has kept a small profile in the media and never been in any big box office success, he may not be a young actor one immediately thinks of among the large number of up-and-coming actors. However, his body of work and his willingness to participate in independent movies will help him hone his skills as an actor. Movie stardom may not be in Emile Hirsch’s future but there is absolutely nothing wrong with that.
Red’s Take: Hirsch is of the actors out there that I have a roller coaster opinion about. There is no doubting his acting ability, but he has had some roles that you question whether he was fully committed to the performance or not. His take in Into the Wild was perfect for the narrative style of the movie and helped really helped convey the overall themes of the movie quite well. If that movie isn’t his best to date, Milk certainly is. A movie full of rich acting from some of the best in the business, Hirsch was still able to steal the screen whenever in the picture as one of Milk’s devotees. One can take a look at these two films and see that Hirsch is full of potential. But then you add in movies like Speed Racer and Alpha Dog, and you can’t help but wonder if Hirsch was just going through the motions to get a paycheck. I won’t dock him for The Air I Breathe, because that whole movie was a complete mess and made great actors like Forrest Whitaker look horrible.
17. Jesse Eisenberg
Castor: Since his film debut in 2002 in Rodger Dodger, 26-yr old Jesse Eisenberg has been a prolific up-and-coming actor who appeared in nearly 20 feature films. His credits include the 2002 drama The Emperor’s Club, M. Night Shyamalan’s The Village and Noah Baumbach’s dysfunctional family drama The Squid and the Whale. Jesse also gave a very good performance in his first lead role in The Education of Charlie Banksand followed that up with a strong outing in Adventureland alongside Kristen Stewart. His most mainstream role to date as Columbus in Zombieland made him a credible option as a box office earner.
Many people, including myself, have associated Eisenberg with a similar actor, the much maligned Michael Cera. I don’t think they are all that similar after all. While Cera has made a living of playing the exact same character so far in his career, Eisenberg has proven to be much less limited in terms of range and diversity of roles. Like many, I look forward to his next film which could be the defining performance of his young career as Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg in David Fincher’s highly anticipated The Social Network.
Red’s Take: With roles in movies such as Adventureland and Zombieland, I know there are plenty of people out there that are quick to label Eisenberg as just another Michael Cera. While Cera could have easily fit into those roles, I think saying such a thing would ignore the rest of Jesse’s body of work. While he wasn’t a lead character, his best performance to date would be the character study of The Squid and the Whale. However, he is bound to get his first serious look at an Oscar nomination with the lead role in The Social Network, a film about the founding of Facebook and it’s creator, Mark Zuckerberg. Zombieland was an unexpected comedy hit that gained Eisenberg a lot of attention, but the Social Network is a much bigger beast that will get his name out there.
16. Ryan Reynolds
Castor: Canadian actor Ryan Reynolds came into full view in Van Wilder (2002), a role that solidified his career which began more than a decade earlier in countless TV shows. Reynolds has a dry and deadpan delivery that makes him a great fit for comedies and that’s where he has made his bread and butter with romantic comedies like Just Friends, Definitely, Maybe and The Proposal. However, Mr. Reynolds has also shown some dramatic range beyond his trademark college golden boy persona with movies like Chaos Theory and The Nines, action-dramas like Smokin’ Aces, Blade: Trinity, and X-Men Origins: Wolverine. He will be seen in theater next with the psychological thriller Buried and as Green Lantern in the comic book adaptation.
As an actor, Reynolds has the charisma and screen-presence to play a leading man with ease. He can shift effortlessly between comedy, drama and action and has no qualms delving in the independent scene from time to time. I personally think Ryan Reynolds is still underrated as a leading man but Hollywood is starting to notice and he clearly has the opportunity within the next year or two to establish himself among the Hollywood A-listers.
Red’s Take: Easily one of my favorite comedic actors, Reynolds has started down a new path as of late that should help him rise to yet another level on the Hollywood ladder. I’ve always be a huge fan of Reynolds’ sharp, witty delivery that always enables him to play off others and develops a sense of chemistry with his fellow actors. You can usually bet your bottom dollar that you’re going to get at least a few great one-liners from Reynolds, even in movies such as Blade: Trinity. His timing was perfect for the lead roles in Van Wilder and Waiting…, as well as the underrated Chaos Theory, a film that best shows how his fast paced delivery will help in the overall comedic effort of the movie. He even made the rom-com Definitely, Maybe likable, though I will admit that was mostly due to the fact that it doesn’t follow the normal rom-com trends that ruin most movies in that genre.
Now, Reynolds is starting to tackle more and more action films, such as Smokin’ Aces, Wolverine (and the eventual spin-off Deadpool), and the upcoming Green Lantern. He also has the indie feature Buried coming out later this year, which most of the movie focuses on Reynolds being trapped in a casket buried alive, a film that will focus on almost nothing but dialogue from Reynolds.
34 Comments
I have to say I’m surprised how high LaBeouf. Hirsch and Reynolds are firmly secured in their places though.
Yea especially when you consider that Leonardo DiCaprio did not even make the top 25
How come DiCaprio didn’t make it? You keep surprising me with these choices, it’s weird how everyone judges talent so different. I’m generally okay with Shia, I think he has talent but (thus far at least) no adequate outlet for it. Really, the fact that so many of these choices seem WTF to me only makes me more interested in seeing what else is in store.
Ahaha sorry Andrew, I was only teasing Fitz because Leo is one of his favorite
DiCaprio is in the top 25!
Terrible, terrible joke. But as long as he’s in I guess it’s okay.
Not a bad collection. Whenever I think of Ryan Reynolds I cannot get out of my head this show he did when he was a teen (Fifteen); I think it was on Nickleodeon or something.
Funny, for me there is a lot of scratching of the head about the actress list at this point. Does anyone know the ratio of male to female in Hollywood especially for the under 35′s? I guess for the actresses there is that whole ingenue thing going on where looks often surpass talent. For the guys it is important to be easy on the eyes but I imagine not as much pressure. Therefore the pool is a little more diverse.
You are absolutely right idawson. Just ask yourself this, how many not so good looking but successful actress is there in Hollywood? Not that many while there is literally dozens of the Megan Fox and Jessica Alba type even there are obviously limited in terms of acting. For the guys, you can see dudes like Jonah Hill or Eddie Marsan make it (nothing against them lol).
Courtney Love.
Are you kidding me that Ryan Reynolds was on Fifteen? My husband and I use to watch that show every week and laugh our asses off! When I think Ryan Reynolds I think the ABC show, “Two Guys, A Girl and A Pizza Place.”
Glad to see Shia on this list. People tend to mock him for whatever reason, but he did show charisma in Disturbia and even showed plenty of heart in a Michael Bay flick, a feat in and of itself. I think he’s got a lot of potential and comes across pretty likable on screen.
I didn’t remember Eisenberg in The Village at all, but heck no, he’s so much better than Michael Cera. I think Social Network will further showcase his acting chops.
Eisenburg was at one of the dinner scenes and I believe he was the child to tell the elders what Adrien Brody had done to Joaquin Phoenix.
Ahh I see, thanks Fitz. He must be so young then that’s why I didn’t recognize him. Or I was just too busy looking at Joaquin
Is Shia LaBeouf really all that bankable? I understand the statistics but isn’t it more a case of him always getting aligned with directors whose films make boatloads of money? Couldn’t you plug most guys into those movies and have the same results? Not to impugn his acting ability but I just think the title of most bankable is misleading.
A legitimate point considering I could be the co-lead in Transformers and it would still make $500,000,000. I can stammer “No.” just as quickly
I was surprised to see him on top aswell and I do think you have a point in him doing typical franchise work right now. Even more suprising to me was that Jennifer Aniston was on the top ten I guess it might be helped if she doesn’t have a huge salary to start with.
Aniston is in the second tier in terms of compensation with the likes of Jennifer Garner or Amy Adams. She is not always a reliable box office earner as we have come to see over the years.
You are right Nic, they used to have Daniel Radcliffe as most bankable a couple years back so I know what you mean. In any case, they explain that he is most bankable because LaBeouf of the massive box office intake combined with his relatively low compensation. They do say that he was able to ask for a substantial raise for Transformers 3 so they are starting to see some extra value in him.
Castor: Sorry to go OT but what is your Tweet/facebook/Buzz plugin called or is it connected to your theme?
Shia LaPfeiffre (or whatever) will always be that spazzy kid from Even Stevens, I don’t care what you say.
Yup! “Even Stevens” all the way! Plus, he’s done quite a few interviews where he’s kind of a douche. I don’t like this kid, what can I say. Plus, putting him in my all time favorite franchise, Indiana Jones? Well, it almost killed me. Actually, I walk around pretending that movie NEVER happened.
I enjoy Maguire’s performances enough – you saw I liked Pleasantville, right? – and he was pretty good on Brothers. I respect Tobey. I also have a love/hate relationship with Hirsch, like Red, I thought Into the Wild was great, and Milk… well, I still like that film for so many other different reasons. However, I don’t mind his bad films – I haven’t watched Alpha Dog – but what I don’t like about Hirsch is his attitude.
Similar business with Shia and Reynolds, I haven’t really enjoyed any of their films (Transformers 1 was fun, but not because of Shia), I can’t really buy them as actors and/or Hollywood stars. However, I’m looking forward to Paper Man… and maybe even Buried… so maybe I’m having a change of heart with Reynolds xD
Eisenberg, I feel I don’t know enough of him. I liked him fine in Squid and the Whale. I certainly don’t harbor the same hate as I do with Cera. LOL
You’re making controversial choices xD Looking forward to more~~~
I really enjoy Pleasantville myself, it’s such an underrated movie!
Glad to see Eisenberg on here, I really think he’s a talented actor. If anyone’s looking for a very good throwback, take in “The Emperor’s Club,” which features both a young Eisenberg and a young Emile Hirsch. They’re both fantastic in it, alongside a wonderful Kevin Kline.
I don’t remember them being in that at all.
I guess it’s because they look different? Because they both play key characters.
Emile is the only one here that I’m not really a fan of.
Jesse Eisenberg has some potential if he shows some range and picks some smart roles.
I literally would beg Ryan Reynolds to stay AWAY from the RomCom’s, he’s too good for it, and I dig him.
Toby has done some good work, I particularly enjoyed him in Wonder Boys, but one day he’s going to have to stop looking sick and sounding sad. Every role it’s the same for me.
Shia, on the other hand has got the goods. Like him or not he has “it” and he’s damn good at anything he’s done. I’m not a personal fan, but his name attached to a flick definitely sparks my interest.
I’ve liked Tobey from jump and I’d have to say he’s the best actor you have on here. I haven’t seen all his films, but he’s so solid in every one I’ve seen. Plus, he’s the only actor I can recall that when they announced he was playing Spiderman, I was like…Wow, that’s perfect! Usually, you feel sort of resistant but you knew all they’d have to do is get him a trainer and he’d be perfect, and he was!
Shia needs to do more to define himself as an actor. At present, he can pretty easily be summarized as a wimp, or, “the guy who screams ‘no no no no no’ a lot”. (Don’t believe me? Check YouTube. Honest.) I’m hoping that Wall Street 2 sees him grow as a performer, and out of all of the films he’s worked on this may be the one that represents the greatest opportunity for him to do so.
Everyone else is aces. Particularly Reynolds and Eisenberg, the latter of whom has a great chance to expand himself as an actor with The Social Network on the horizon.
Reynolds will next be seen in the thriller Buried and the superhero movie Green Lantern. He’s set to begin shooting the comedy The Change-Up with Jason Bateman, and is also attached to comic-book movies Deadpool and R.I.P.D., and the spy-thriller Safe House with Denzel Washington. I just can say that this guy is one of the busiest in the world.
Ryan Reynolds may be a good actor but I’ve only seen him in rubbish movies. I hated Definitely Maybe.
Eisenburg might be turning Social Network raves into Oscar buzz. He very well could be on top of this list next year.
Is this really a strong possibility?? I can’t say I’ve yet been all that impressed with Eisenberg, and the trailers make me nervous about his performance. The one that everyone went nuts for him in (Squid and the Whale) I found him gratingly annoying in…
Tobey wouldn’t be on my list. He lacks the charisma to make me care about any of his performances. Emile Hirsch is the same. The Catherine Hardwick Hamlet movie he was supposed to be doing fell apart. I have also heard rumors that he’s auditioned for some roles he didn’t get. I don’t know about his shelf life. Ryan Reynolds is okay, but there is something about him that annoys me in every part. Maybe Buried will chance my mind. I like Jesse Eisenberg, but he can be super annoying too. I will say he is 1000 times better than Michael Cera though. Shia does a lot of big budget film and he’s Speilberg’s pet so of course he’s the most bankable star. I would like to see him get back to indie drama. One of his best roles was The Guide to Recognizing Your Saints where he played a young Robert Downey Jr. He was excellent in that.
Emile Hirsch is probably never going to be a big movie star but I think he will be around for the long haul on the indie circuit. Let’s face it, every single actor out there has auditioned for roles that they didn’t get, it’s a game of rejection.
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