As a film major, I have been taught how to critique a variety of movies, ranging from the most unoriginal to the most extreme and bizarre works imaginable. However, one thing film school cannot teach is why some movies have massive commercial success and others don’t. That’s something that Hollywood’s little busy bees are constantly trying to figure out as they watch the box office success and failures for each of their films. Because only Lord knows why some of the movies that make it in Hollywood are winners.
Nonetheless, this post is not about the movies, but the actors, more specifically Hollywood’s male stars. It was just today that an article on Variety.com discussed how Hollywood’s leading men have begun to change. According to the article, instead of casting the typical macho, scruffy guy, Hollywood now seems to be picking cutie pies like Ryan Reynolds (Green Lantern) and funnymen like Robert Downey Jr. (Iron Man) as the new “bad-asses” of the big screen.
Although I understand that these new types of leading men are bringing in the cash, I cannot help, but to long for the continued use of born bad-asses like Gerard Butler and Russell Crowe in movies. Sure, Crowe has a little temper, but his power on the screen is undeniable (one of the reasons why I will be going to see Robin Hood in May). Not to mention, I don’t think that anyone could deny that 300 would be as A-mazing without a lead like Gerard Butler, who naturally exudes testosterone.
Yet, despite the successes of such typical Hollywood hunks, the little bees continue to use strange castings in their honey. Jake Gyllenhaal, for example, will be playing Dastan, the lead in the Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time, which is due for a May 28th release. Personally, I find it appalling that he is the new Prince of Persia. To me, this is a classic case of when Hollywood should have gone with the stereotypical macho hunk instead of the boy-next-door sweetheart. Not only does Jakie boy not look ethnic enough, but he also does not look very bad-ass, which in a film where the main character is supposed to be a courageous hero seems beyond odd.
However, Jakie boy has not been the only face to be miscast in a film. Toby McGuire beat him a few years ago as the new Spiderman. That was by far the worst casting ever, and still, the Spiderman franchise broke several box-office records. With that said, one has to wonder how much of the franchise’s success had to do with the special effects and not Toby. Just saying…..If Hollywood can give us both cool graphics and a bad-ass, then why won’t they just go ahead and do it???
I guess only time will tell which types of Hollywood hunks resonate best with audiences. Personally, I love Robert Downey Jr. as an unusual leading man after hearing about him in Iron Man (I know I’m like the only person not to have seen the movie lol) and seeing him in Sherlock Holmes. As for Ryan Reynolds, I can only remember his goofy performance in Just Friends, but I think I can dig him as Green Lantern. At least he has the height and body-type. Right?
**Check out the pics of Hollywood’s latest heroes to see what I mean….
Gerard Butler - 300 Premier
Butler doesn’t even have to try to be a leading man and hero. That’s just him.
Russell Crowe - Robin Hood
Russell can even make tights look bad-ass. He also seems to be aging rather well. 🙂
Ryan Reynolds - Green Lantern
Although Reynolds stays with the funny expressions on his face (like in this pic), I can buy into him as a superhero. I think…lol But, can someone please give him a new mask??? This one just screams bird beak.
Robert Downey Jr. - Iron Man
Robert Downey Jr. definitely does a better job at playing it cool. Even if he’s not the stereotypical Hollywood hunk, his confident demeanor will always give him enough macho appeal to be believable as a superhero.
Jake Gyllenhaal - Prince of Persia
Even though Jakie bulked up for the role, something about this is just not working. His boyish face does not fit with the massive muscle. AND his hair…..
Once again, maybe Hollywood knows something I don’t? OR better yet, maybe someone just has a really really good agent…. 😉
Update: Fox’s Machete, which will be starring our poor Ms. Lohan, is scheduled for a September 3rd release date. Also, Downey’s Iron Man 2 is coming out really soon on May 7th. Here’s the trailer if you haven’t checked it out already.
Iron Man 2 Trailer