Suggest future actors for the HAA! spotlight

[slothian]

This thread is designated to gather up suggestions of actors (gender neutral term for the political correctness win!) to feature on future episodes on HAA! Ideally, I would like suggestions of actors who have tried to many different films so that Pandy & I can examine the dramatic range of the subject, so that rules out Rob Schneider for a start.

Also, for the time being, the Brothers Wilson would prefer to limit the scope to actors who were prominent from the 1970s to the present day, as neither of us did "film studies" (we're British) and have only seen so many films that are beyond 40 years old. I'm hoping to address this as I expand my film horizons gradually, but for the meantime, let's cap the suggestions to people active between the 1970s and the present day - I'll allow leeway if the actor was doing films in the 40s/50s/60s right up until the 80s/90s/00s but it very much depends on who said actor is.

Actors used:

01: Jim Carrey

02: Jodie Foster

03: Brad Pitt

04: Christian Bale

05: Reese Witherspoon

06: Samuel L. Jackson

07: Amy Adams

08: Bob Hoskins

09: Will Smith

10: Whoopi Goldberg

11: Robin Williams

12: Uma Thurman

14: Jack Black

15: Julianne Moore

16: Arnold Schwarzenegger

17: Heath Ledger

18: Winona Ryder

19: Dame Judi Dench

20: Jamie Lee Curtis

21: Sandra Bullock

22: Nicolas Cage

23: Halle Berry

25: Bill Murray

26: Dustin Hoffman

27: Meryl Streep

28: Dame Helen Mirren

29: Audrey Hepburn

30: Sir Michael Caine

31: Max von Sydow

32: Sigourney Weaver

33: Morgan Freeman

34: Dame Maggie Smith

35: Sir Christopher Lee

36: Paul Williams

37: Mike Myers

38: Jennifer Connelly

39: Dame Julie Andrews

40: Denzel Washington

41: Tom Hanks

42: Kirsten Dunst

43: Kate Winslet

44: Burt Reynolds

45: Mel Gibson

46: Nicole Kidman

47: Marilyn Monroe

49: Dan Aykroyd

50: Keanu Reeves

51: Dame Angela Lansbury

52: Michelle Yeoh

53: Charlize Theron

54: Jackie Chan

55: Rutger Hauer

56: Salma Hayek

57: Tom Cruise

58: Jean-Claude Van Damme

60: Martin Freeman

61: Sean Bean

62: Elijah Wood

63: Liv Tyler

64: Sean Astin

65: Andy Serkis

66: Cate Blanchett

67: Hugo Weaving

68: Viggo Mortensen

69: Evangeline Lily

70: Sir Ian McKellen

72: Kristen Wiig

73: Sylvester Stallone

74: Cameron Diaz

75: Timothy Dalton

76: Angelica Houston

77: Richard Pryor

79: Michael Keaton

80: Julia Roberts

81: Judy Garland

82: Christopher Plummer

83: Laurence Fishburne

84: Angelina Jolie

85: Tim Curry

87: Rick Moranis

88: Faye Dunaway

89: Anthony Hopkins

90: Bruce Willis

[KnightWing]

Carrot Top

Hilary Duff

Megan Fox

Tom Welling

R2-D2

[Pan-dub]

Carrot Top

Hilary Duff

Megan Fox

Tom Welling

R2-D2

Sad that out of all of those 5 R2-D2 has shown the most versatility on screen

[Missy]

Arnold Schwarzenegger
Yes, he's the action hero of our generation, but for a while he tried to diversify. Twins, Kindergarten Cop, and True Lies all show he has some depth as an actor.

Sigourney Weaver
A truly unsung actor. From the unwilling hero in Alien, the distant mother in The Ice Storm, the awful boss in Working Girl, and Miss Awesomeness in Galaxy Quest, she's one I'd love to hear you cover.

Sylvester Stallone
This man has three major franchises under his belt (Rocky, Rambo, and The Expendables), he's attempted comedy (Stop! Or My Mom Will Shoot), and, for my money, had a good turn as a distant father (Over the Top).

[dc20willsave]

Nicole Kidman

As an actress, Kidman has went from a woman who did a few quiet movies to Mrs. Tom Cruise to a force of nature all her own. Good films to use: Dead Calm or Days of Thunder for an early career pick, To Die For (a very underrated film I might add) or Moulin Rouge for mid-career, and Stoker or Rabbit Hole for later.

Matthew McCoghnahey

Seriously, few people have as weird a career. The guy did mainly small and genre films in the 90s (Dazed and Confused, Contact) before moving into Romantic Comedy hell in the 2000s (How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days, Failure to Launch) before becoming a critical darling in the past few years (Magic Mike, Killer Joe, Dallas Buyer's Club).

Leonardo DiCaprio

I've always looked at him as a character actor stuck in a leading man's body. Starting off with a couple of critically acclaimed films (What's Eating Gilbert Grape, The Basketball Diaries) he then steered into heartthrob territory (Titanic, Man in the Iron Mask, The Beach) before having a decade of work (The Departed, Inception)

Julianne Moore

One of the most consistently terrific actresses of the past couple of decades. She started off doing noted supporting roles (The Hand that Rocks the Cradle, Shortcuts) before rising to prominence through both numerous award nominations (Boogie Nights, Far From Heaven) and box office success (Hannibal and The Forgotten). Sadly, she has faltered in recent years leaving many to wonder if she can redeem herself (Carrie, The Kids are Alright).

John Travolta

Few actors have had as many comebacks. Rising to prominence in the 70s (Grease, Saturday Night Fever) he then kinda fell apart (Staying Alive) before his career was seemingly saved (Pulp Fiction, Get Shorty) before kinda fucking himself again (Battlefield Earth, Swordfish) and finally becoming a parody of himself (Hairspray, Old Dogs).

Julia Roberts

Some actresses are born to earn the title of America's Sweetheart. Look at her. Within three years, she got her first two oscar nominations (Pretty Woman, Steel Magnolias) and launched herself into a decade of Julia-rama, all capped off with an Oscar win (Erin Brockavich). Sadly, she would then spend the next decade, trying to be both a grown-up actress and still trying to remain America's Sweetheart. Eat Pray Love and Larry Crowne appear to be the beginning of a new age for her. Let's see if it works out.

Will Smith

Remember when he was a rapper? Neither do I! After a couple of less than memorable film roles, Will Smith established himself as an action star (Men in Black, Bad Boys, Independence Day) before getting a pair of best actor nominations (Ali, The Pursuit of Happiness) all while juggling it with a continued financial success (Hitch, I Am Legend).

Jennifer Lawrence

We are definitely at the beginning of a promising career. In a few short years, a young woman has broken out as an actress (Winter's Bone), become the star of a successful franchise (The Hunger Games), and even become the second youngest person to win Best Actress (Silver Linings Playbook) with more nominations and wins on the horizon.

Ryan Gosling

You gotta respect a guy who started out on the Disney Channel then made something of himself. Breaking out in a couple of very demanding roles (The Believer, Murder by Numbers) Gosling would then become both a critical darling (Blue Valentine, Drive) as well as a high grossing actor (Crazy Stupid Love, The Notebook, Gangster Squad).

Mila Kunis

I dare you to invent time travel and ask someone who from That 70s Show they think would make out the best and see if anyone answers "Jackie." She certainly didn't start out all that bright (American Psycho 2, Tony 'n Tina's Wedding). It would be a few years before her big breakout (Forgetting Sarah Marshall, The Book of Eli). Since then, she has recieved both critical acclaim (Black Swan) and become a box office draw (Oz, Friends with Benefits).

Christian Bale

Can we all just agree that Bale is both brilliant and insane? Starting young (Empire of the Sun, Newsies) it would be his fucking insane way he's will to transform his body that would bring him to prominence (American Psycho, The Machinist, Batman Begins). At the same time, he would still do roles that would give him box office appeal (Terminator: Salvation, The Prestige).

Amy Adams

After doing her due by being on pretty much WB teen drama and doing some less than stellar work (Cruel Intentions 2, Psycho Beach Party) before become a critical darling (Enchanted, Junebug). She would just continue to improve over the later years (The Fighter, Julie and Julia, The Master).

[Missy]

To quote Will:

Matthew McCoghnahey
Seriously, few people have as weird a career. The guy did mainly small and genre films in the 90s (Dazed and Confused, Contact) before moving into Romantic Comedy hell in the 2000s (How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days, Failure to Launch) before becoming a critical darling in the past few years (Magic Mike, Killer Joe, Dallas Buyer's Club).

Leonardo DiCaprio
I've always looked at him as a character actor stuck in a leading man's body. Starting off with a couple of critically acclaimed films (What's Eating Gilbert Grape, The Basketball Diaries) he then steered into heartthrob territory (Titanic, Man in the Iron Mask, The Beach) before having a decade of work (The Departed, Inception)

Will Smith
Remember when he was a rapper? Neither do I! After a couple of less than memorable film roles, Will Smith established himself as an action star (Men in Black, Bad Boys, Independence Day) before getting a pair of best actor nominations (Ali, The Pursuit of Happiness) all while juggling it with a continued financial success (Hitch, I Am Legend).

Christian Bale
Can we all just agree that Bale is both brilliant and insane? Starting young (Empire of the Sun, Newsies) it would be his fucking insane way he's will to transform his body that would bring him to prominence (American Psycho, The Machinist, Batman Begins). At the same time, he would still do roles that would give him box office appeal (Terminator: Salvation, The Prestige).

Amy Adams
After doing her due by being on pretty much WB teen drama and doing some less than stellar work (Cruel Intentions 2, Psycho Beach Party) before become a critical darling (Enchanted, Junebug). She would just continue to improve over the later years (The Fighter, Julie and Julia, The Master).

Edited September 20, 2014 by slothian
Used in episode

[Dan]

Tom Hanks

Harrison Ford

Samuel L. Jackson

[Missy]

I'm not even joking with this one:

Jean-Claude Van Damme

He started out as a very unique kind of action star in movies like Bloodsport and Kickboxer, then fell in a hole for a while. In 2008 he returned with JCVD, and showed he has a heart. A year later, in Universal Soldier: Regeneration, he combined his action skills with the heart of JCVD.

[Missy]

Mickey Rourke

I see him as being very Travolta-like in his rise to fame, fall from grace, and comeback. He's nowhere near as famous, true, but there is a lot to talk about here: Nine 1/2 Weeks, Angel Heart, Sin City, and The Wrestler in particular.

[Koete]

Mickey Rourke

I see him as being very Travolta-like in his rise to fame, fall from grace, and comeback. He's nowhere near as famous, true, but there is a lot to talk about here: Nine 1/2 Weeks, Angel Heart, Sin City, and The Wrestler in particular.

Diner, Rumble Fish.

[Donomark]

Dan beat me for the suggestion of Sam Jackson.

Switching to another Avenger, mebbe Chris Evans? He was known primarily for comedy but has since done more serious roles.

Edited July 18, 2014 by slothian
Used in episode

[Missy]

Agreed on Chris Evans, especially when it comes to his time as Johnny Storm and Captain America. Those two roles are so very far apart, and on the surface he was only right for one of them, yet he nailed both perfectly.

[Rjoyadet]

On 12/19/2013 at 10:54 PM, The Master said:

Arnold Schwarzenegger

Yes, he's the action hero of our generation, but for a while he tried to diversify. Twins, Kindergarten Cop, and True Lies all show he has some depth as an actor.

 

Sigourney Weaver

A truly unsung actor. From the unwilling hero in Alien, the distant mother in The Ice Storm, the awful boss in Working Girl, and Miss Awesomeness in Galaxy Quest, she's one I'd love to hear you cover.

 

Sylvester Stallone

This man has three major franchises under his belt (Rocky, Rambo, and The Expendables), he's attempted comedy (Stop! Or My Mom Will Shoot), and, for my money, had a good turn as a distant father (Over the Top).

 

I remember bumming a ride from a colleague and he talked about how much he admired Schwarzenegger. He admired how he started from his cramped apartment and wanted to be the greatest bodybuilder in the world. I told him that I liked Stallone because he had a similar story and shared that when Stallone finished the script for "Rocky" he had less than 100 dollars to his account.

[You Know Who]

Anthony Hopkins

Suggested Films: Titus, Hitchcock, Magic

 

Cate Blanchett

Suggested Films: Elizabeth, Notes on a Scandal, I'm Not There

 

Kevin Kline

Suggested Films: A Fish Called Wanda, Cry Freedom, Wild Wild West (though if there's ever a Western week on Earth-2.net: The Show, I'd love to do that film with you, Ian, as it's one of my guilty pleasures as well)

 

Russell Crowe

Suggested Films: Gladiator, Les Miserables, A Beautiful Mind

 

Tom Hulce

Suggested Films: Amadeus, Parenthood, The Hunchback of Notre Dame

[dc20willsave]

See, for Russell Crowe, I'd say you're missing so much of his early work. I'd suggest Romper Stomper or The Sum of Us instead of A Beautiful Mind.

Michelle Pfeiffer: Married to the Mob, Dangerous Minds, either Hairspray or Starburst.

[You Know Who]

See, for Russell Crowe, I'd say you're missing so much of his early work. I'd suggest Romper Stomper or The Sum of Us instead of A Beautiful Mind.

Fair enough. I was just looking for a softer role that he had been in.

[dc20willsave]

Sandra Bullock: With a career spanning nearly 3 decades (and not looking it at all), she rose from obscurity when she landed the lead in a little movie called Speed. From there she spent the next couple of decades working on tons of romantic comedies like Miss Congeniality and Two Weeks Notice. She slowly transitioned into more dynamic roles, capping it off with Two Oscar Nominations (and a win) for The Blind Side and Gravity.

 

Helen Mirren: Most actresses are unable to pull off a late career revival. Helen Mirren is not most actresses. She mainly worked as a character actress on screen, doing some notable roles here and there (Excalibur, The Cook, The Thief, His Wife & Her Lover). It would be the 21st century where she would blossom into a shining star with some very meaty roles (The Passion of Ayn Rand, Gosford Park, The Queen). She would find herself more than capable of becoming a bankable asset (RED, The Debt). Who know where she'll go from here?

 

Bette Davis: Davis is one of the greatest actresses of all time. Hands down. She spent the 30s as one of the crowning successes of her field (Of Human Bondage, Jezebel). The 40s would be less kind to her. All About Eve would be the work that would revive her career as well as being the role that would define her as an actress from there on out. She was the respected lady of the screen and would show up in works both terriffic and camp (Whatever Happened to Baby Jane, Hush, Hush Sweet Charlotte, The Watcher in the Woods).

[slothian]

Helen Mirren was one of women I put to Pandy for consideration for Episode 5 - and he went with R. Witherspoon....

One way or another, we will cover Dame Mirren at some point. Bullock's also likely to be covered, albeit further down the line.

[Rjoyadet]

Would you ever consider Clancy Brown? It would be difficult to pick just three films he has been in especially since he appears to have been in almost every cartoon the past 20 years. I guess the biggest difference in roles would be the Kurgan in "Highlander" and the heros friend from "The Adventures of Buckaroo Banzai: across the 8th Dimension."

[slothian]

FYI, any actor we use, I will strike-through their suggestion in your post to mark that they have been covered on the podcast once that episode has been recorded. The idea being that it'll make choosing actors easier and that new forumites can see more plainly who has already been used

[Mr Mockery]

Off the back of the most recent TABHAL I formally submit Grace Jones.

[dc20willsave]

Grace Jones might be hard. Her filmography is kinda limited with most of her roles being bit parts and supporting roles. You're kinda limited to Conan the Destroyer, A View to a Kill, and Vamp. You might substitute Boomerang but it's still a rather small role in a Eddie Murphy movie.

[Stavros]

We need to start with a list of films Ian has seen and work from there. Ian, if you could provide a list of both of them it it would be a great help.

[slothian]

We need to start with a list of films Ian has seen and work from there. Ian, if you could provide a list of both of them it it would be a great help.

 

We said this in episode 1!! Cool Runnings and Sister Act 2. Those are the only films I've ever watched.

 

Oh, and Probert, I formally submit that you shut up.

Edited May 18, 2016 by slothian
Now covered

[You Know Who]

Suggestions regarding the possibility of Bond actor specials:

 

Sean Connery

-The Untouchables, Entrapment, or Finding Forrester (for his later, bearded career)

-The Wind and the Lion or The Man Who Would Be King (both released between Diamonds Are Forever and Never Say Never Again)

-Darby O'Gill and the Little People (predates Dr. No and sets the precedent for singing Bond actors fifty years before Mamma Mia!)

 

Pierce Brosnan

-Nomads (1986; first film in which he got top billing)

-The Tailor of Panama (in which he plays another MI6 agent)

-Mamma Mia! (because I'm evil)

 

Daniel Craig

-The Trench (1999)

-Layer Cake (2004)

-The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo (2011)

 

I don't think I've seen any films outside of the Bond franchise in which Lazenby, Moore, or Dalton get high billing, but I'm sure someone here has and has some to recommend.

Edited May 18, 2016 by slothian
Now covered