Defining Actors of This Generation?

[AceD]

When you think of this era of film actors (essentially the post-Pacino/DeNiro generation)...who do you think does and will define the generation? I don't necessarily mean strictly the best actors (although that's certainly part of the equation), but actors that, like Al and Bobby, were fantastic in fantastic films that people still watch years after they were made? Now, I know there are ton of fans on these boards (and none bigger than myself) of Edward Norton and Christian Bale. I love those guys, but based on the work they have put in at this point in their career, I feel like they are on the old side of the NEXT generation...if they aren't, well, much as I love them, I feel like if they never made another movie they'd be remembered for a couple great performances but not as great, defining movie stars (and for the record, I'm aware that not every actor desires to be huge and defining and remembered as a star).

I think two huge candidates are Russell Crowe and Denzel Washington. When you think about their breadth of work over the past 15 years or so, coupled with their consistency in delivering masterful performances and their appeal to an enormous audience...I think they are as good as it gets as actors and again, their consistency in being in good movies is remarkable. Johnny Depp also comes to mind. Who else?

[Derek237]

Leonardo Dicaprio. Being in Titanic, one of the biggest films of our time (despite some of the personal preferences of people who hated it, they can't change the fact that its the highest grossing film of all time, so obviously there are many who loved it), is really just, pardon the pun, the tip of the ice berg. It's really daunting to be part of something so big and be adored by so many dumb horomonal teen girls, but Leo really recovered from that "DiCRAPrio" persona, and has done great film after great film, constantly topping himself and showing new range and depth as an actor. Gangs of New York, Catch Me If You Can, The Aviator, Blood Diamond, The Departed. All great movies. And to anyone he says he's just riding on the coattails of Scorsese, well, just look at his Oscar nomination for Blood Diamond as opposed to The Departed.

I also have a good feeling about Ryan Gosling, who was terrific in Half Nelson...though he hasn't really done any monumental films yet.

[bourahioro]

Christian Bale
Edward Norton
Philip Seymore Hoffman
Heath Ledger (if he plays his cards right)

[Le_Big_Mac]

Sean Penn
Brad Pitt
Johnny Depp
Leonardo DiCaprio

[fooknasty]

Christian Bale
Edward Norton
Matt Damon
Leonardo Dicaprio

All three are on the edge. They have had great careers up to this point, and will some day be regarded as legends.

However, I would have to agree with both Russel Crowe and Denzel Washington, but they have been well established for some time.

I think that Ryan Gosling, Joseph Gordon Levitt, and Shia LaBouf (sp) are all the legends of tomorrow. All three have such promising careers ahead of them.

[AceD]

"I would have to agree with both Russel Crowe and Denzel Washington, but they have been well established for some time"

I totally agree, I was just wondering if there was anyone from their time period whom people here thought would be thought of as bigger stars years from now.

As for the next generation, I think Leo is already there, and will only be enhanced by three or four more movies with Scorsese. When all is said and done, I really think when you talk actors, you'll talk Brando, DeNiro, Pacino, Crowe, Washington, Dicaprio. And when you talk the very best, you'll talk Brando, Pacino & DeNiro, Dicaprio. I really believe that.

"I think that Ryan Gosling, Joseph Gordon Levitt, and Shia LaBouf (sp) are all the legends of tomorrow. All three have such promising careers ahead of them."

Totally agree here as well.

[Hannibal21]

Despite the fact that I personally don't care for Sean Penn or Russell Crowe (mostly mediocre performances in good movies, with a few notable exceptions) nowadays and think that Leonardo Dicaprio (while very good) is unbelievably 'overrated', the overall general consensus (for this and the next decade or so) of these three being hugely successful bona fide movie stars in addition to their status as "exceptional actors" is undeniable. All of them have had big hits after big hits after big hits, and the accolades for their performances are endless.

Johnny Depp and Denzel Washington are both established movie stars and great actors.

With a few more acclaimed mainstream hits, Ryan Gosling will OWN this generation, I guarantee it 100%.

[notchreturns]

If by this generation, I guess you mean 80s, 90s and today.

I'd have to say Penn and Denzel then.

[Tweek]

Catch Me If You Can, The Aviator, Blood Diamond, The Departed.

I HAD to give DiCaprio props after these performances...


My list (besides Leo)
Matt Damon
Denzel Washington
Russell Crowe
Christian Bale

[Karyant]

Ok, all this actors are well established. However, no one of this actors yet reach the "aura" that DeNiro and Pacino have. I beleive that Johnny has the best chance to have the same status that both have today.

Johnny Deep
Edward Norton
Christin Bale
Denzel Washington


My question will be and the boys of this generation like, Tom Weeling, Seth Green, Wentworth Miller,Dominic Purcel, Millo Ventimiglia, Masi Oka and others actors that I dont remember.

What is a chance of this actors someday reach the same status like Johnny Deep has today???

Remember Deep start with Nightmare in Elm Street and later made "21 Jump street" that in my country receive a name "Anjos da Lei" with translate to english would be "Angel´s Law".

[dennisv]

Leonardo DiCaprio big time.

[Frank the Tank]

Norton is amazing, but he needs to make a couple of more memorable films. The Illusionist was solid, but not breathtaking or anything. So, he hasn't done any mindblowing performances since 25th Hour.

Most of the good ones have been picked.

I definately agree that with a few more mainstream roles, Ryan Gosling will become huge.

If he ever decides to do a mainstream movie, than Joseph Gordon-Levitt could be one as well.

[TeeRay]

Bah, they've all been said already. Although I think Matt Damon needs more props.

[Superplasmatron]

http://www.smh.com.au/ffximage/2007/08/02/rkelly_narrowweb__300x430,0.jpg

[The Postmaster General]

Originally posted by Karyant
Seth Green


Interesting name to bring up - I can picture Seth Green being the next Paul Bartel, directing a few solid cult films and showing up in a role in hundreds of other films.

[john_rambo]

Originally posted by Roy L Dennis
http://www.smh.com.au/ffximage/2007/08/02/rkelly_narrowweb__300x430,0.jpg

Hell Ya, forget citizen kane or the godfather, Trapped in the Closet is the best film ever made if you combine all the parts... im glad someone else agrees.

But yeah, I gotta say Al Pacino if you count him in this generation... or if even more modern Denzel Washington Tom Hanks and Johnny Depp

[Brando @$$ Fat]

Hmmm. So many names come to mind, but the only one I'm absolutely sure will be remembered fifty years from now is Leonardo DiCaprio. Not necessarily for superior acting ability, but because of the movies he's starred in. Titanic will not be forgotten anytime soon and he's already starred in two Best Picture winning films.

[FLAME_ON]

How about Clive Owen, Jude Law, or Hugh Jackman?

[darchangel]

Originally posted by FLAME_ON
How about Clive Owen, Jude Law, or Hugh Jackman?


Indeed.

And to the Seth Green suggestion, I see him in more of a Clint Howard type of career.

[fooknasty]

Hmmmm. I can't really see Seth Green being a defining actor of our generation. He is merely good for some mild comic relief. Nothing more, IMO.

I think that Clive Owen has a real good shot at being a defining actor. I don't think that Jude Law will come close, considering the stinkers that he has been in. The bad heavily outweighs the good. As far as Hugh Jackman, maybe. He hasn't done anything memorable. Yeah, a few solid performances, plus the X-Men franchise, but nothing defining, yet.

[therealjohng]

Originally posted by bourahioro
Christian Bale
Edward Norton



First two I thought of.

[paul calf]

edward norton for me has not made a really good film since fight club he has made one or two average films but nothing special,he started superbly but has really picked some shocking movies since,and his decision to play bruce banner in the hulk 2 just does not make sense.


i would agree with christian bale,ryan gosling and add jake gyllenhaal as potential greats.

[john_rambo]

Arnold Schwarzenegger will always be remembered... but for different reasons than these other actors.

[TeeRay]

I'm gonna throw a name out in the open:

Mark Wahlberg

Thoughts? I think he's quickly approaching that status, if he hasn't already.

[bigred760]

I'd definitely have to go with DiCaprio and Damon. They have consistently come out with good or great movies and are basically household names. Everybody knows who they are.

[Tuukka]

Tom Hanks, obviously. He might end up being the most famous actor of his era 20-30 years from now.

Tom Cruise comes second, althought it remains to be seen how fondly people will remember him in the future.

Out of the young guys, DiCaprio is on a roll and has made several future classics already. He has a good chance of ending up as one of the greatest movie icons.

[Superplasmatron]

Originally posted by paul calf
edward norton for me has not made a really good film since fight club he has made one or two average films but nothing special,he started superbly but has really picked some shocking movies since,and his decision to play bruce banner in the hulk 2 just does not make sense.


i would agree with christian bale,ryan gosling and add jake gyllenhaal as potential greats.


Yeah Paul I agree Norton is now just an older weasley poor man's Bale, hes been in loads of turkeys and his last o.k. film was the illusionist, which was a poor mans The Prestige. I find it funny when he gets cast as hard men and very funny when hes in the 25 hours were hes all god I'm so handsome I'm so gonna get a bummin in prison.
Also his sacking the directer and reediting of American History X so he had more screen time and his plans to write the incredible hulk, suggest he loves himself in real life. Whereas Bale gets better and better.

Anyway yeah Gosling's pretty fucking great and Jamie Bell is a great up and coming actor, also Paddy Considine, just on his performance in Room for Romeo Brass Pisses on most mentioned in this thread. I like Clive Owen but hes the same in everything he does all raspy and squinty, hes been the same sine he stared in chancer on tv. I also think Mat Damon is great.

[Superplasmatron]

Originally posted by notchreturns
If by this generation, I guess you mean 80s, 90s and today.

I'd have to say Penn and Denzel then.

don't you mean wesly snipes and seagal?

[Derrida]

Christian Bale
Paddy Considine
Ryan Gosling
Edward Norton
Daniel Craig (born a year before Ed Norton)

[Tweek]

I think that Clive Owen has a real good shot at being a defining actor

How did I forget about hjim?! Bah!

[X-Nightcrawler]

Originally posted by Derek237
Leonardo Dicaprio. Being in Titanic, one of the biggest films of our time (despite some of the personal preferences of people who hated it, they can't change the fact that its the highest grossing film of all time, so obviously there are many who loved it), is really just, pardon the pun, the tip of the ice berg. It's really daunting to be part of something so big and be adored by so many dumb horomonal teen girls, but Leo really recovered from that "DiCRAPrio" persona, and has done great film after great film, constantly topping himself and showing new range and depth as an actor. Gangs of New York, Catch Me If You Can, The Aviator, Blood Diamond, The Departed. All great movies. And to anyone he says he's just riding on the coattails of Scorsese, well, just look at his Oscar nomination for Blood Diamond as opposed to The Departed. Damn right! Leo wins.

[paul calf]

Originally posted by Roy L Dennis
Anyway yeah Gosling's pretty fucking great and Jamie Bell is a great up and coming actor, also Paddy Considine, just on his performance in Room for Romeo Brass Pisses on most mentioned in this thread. I like Clive Owen but hes the same in everything he does all raspy and squinty, hes been the same sine he stared in chancer on tv. I also think Mat Damon is great.

i completly forgot about paddy considine he has been excellent in everything he has been in so far,and is really starting to make waves in major movies at last.

[jbar1026]

i can see leo being an iconic actor in 30 years him and depp both are outstanding.

to me it seems that the actors are less important than the movies that they were in! who doesnt love scarface or taxi driver great movies with great actors. but some one like clive owen may be remembered for shootem up a great actor in a not so great movie

norton has not made the right choices but he is a great actor. matt damon imo has only now with the bourne movies started to gain any serious fan base. and bale is a terific actor but he just not in enough great movies, alot of good ones but only a couple of great ones. crowe is low on my list because i cant think of five movies of his that i liked

[bigred760]

Originally posted by jbar1026
to me it seems that the actors are less important than the movies that they were in! who doesnt love scarface or taxi driver great movies with great actors. but some one like clive owen may be remembered for shootem up a great actor in a not so great movie


If he's going to be remembered, it won't be for Shoot Em Up. Hopefully he'll be remembered for flicks like Children of Men or Sin City.

[Superplasmatron]

http://img2.timeinc.net/ew/dynamic/imgs/040805/162615__confessions_l.jpg Sam Rockwell

[BadCoverVersion]

Most of the major ones have been mentioned so far. I agree with Calf about Norton...he's been on a downward spiral for quite some time now which is a shame really.

Bale, DiCaprio, Pitt and Depp are all going to be remembered wether you like it or not.

I'd say the following all have a shot at 'greatness'...

Ryan Gosling
Paddy Considine
Jamie Bell
Sam Rockwell

Jamie Bell is really, REALLY progressing as an actor. I recommend folks try to catch Dear Wendy, Undertow and Hallam Foe...he is Britain's answer to America's indie darling, Mr Gosling. A fine young talent who deserves all the praise he is currently garnering.

I hope Paddy wins some meatier roles in the near future. It'll be tough for him to ever top Morell in Romeo Brass or Richard in Dead Man's Shoes but I'd like to see him try.

[paul calf]

jamie bell does seam a really promising actor,even from his really early roles he shown great promise hopefully this will continue.
sam rockwell i like but is very inconsistant for me,i thought he was the best thing about the green mile,he was superb in matchstick men,but i hated confessions of a dangerous mind and charlies angels,but he does have great potential if he picks the right parts.

[Superplasmatron]

Originally posted by paul calf
jamie bell does seam a really promising actor,even from his really early roles he shown great promise hopefully this will continue.
sam rockwell i like but is very inconsistant for me,i thought he was the best thing about the green mile,he was superb in matchstick men,but i hated confessions of a dangerous mind and charlies angels,but he does have great potential if he picks the right parts.


who very dare you Paul! he was great in confessions of a dangerous mind, and the green mile was one of the biggest piles of shit ever!

but I loved him most in Lawn Dogs.

[paul calf]

Originally posted by Roy L Dennis
who very dare you Paul! he was great in confessions of a dangerous mind, and the green mile was one of the biggest piles of shit ever!

but I loved him most in Lawn Dogs.

i said he was the best thing in the green mile i never said i liked it,and confessions bored the pants off me.
need to watch lawn dogs again though.

[jt492]

I feel with some better career decisions (like doing Way of the Gun as opposed to Before Night Falls) Benicio Del Toro could have been and still could be one of the defining actors of our generation. He seems to have a few potentially great roles coming out. Another one would be Robert Downey Jr. had he not been such a fan of other activities

[Cronos]

Denzel Washington
Christian Bale
Edward Norton

[BugMuffins]

could you define or refine this just a bit? Are you looking for lower profile actors from the last 25 years that will be looked back upon and remembered as being much better than their current profiles yield? Or are we trying to basically name all the heavy weight killers from the last 25 years that re currently defining the industry?

BTW, I observed the pretty skimpy women to me ratio so far in the heavy weight dept. here! :p

[AceD]

"could you define or refine this just a bit? Are you looking for lower profile actors from the last 25 years that will be looked back upon and remembered as being much better than their current profiles yield? Or are we trying to basically name all the heavy weight killers from the last 25 years that re currently defining the industry?"

Closer to the second is what I was originally looking for, but I wouldn't use the 25 years number. Essentially, I feel you had a generation defined by (and by 'defined' I mean the people most people think of when they think 'movie star') Pacino and DeNiro. In my opinion, although they have both done decent work since, their reign ended when they appeared together in HEAT. The generation following, I think, has been ruled by Denzel, Crowe, Hanks -- these are the actors who will be well respected and their movies watched in 10, 20, 50 years. So I had two questions, one being is their anyone from the Denzel generation I'm missing, and who will fill those roles next? Age isn't the only factor, since we can only go by how old an actor is when we hear of them. And it's also not just about talent, because if your movies aren't being watched by a lot of people or aren't accessible to the general public, you may be remembered as great actor but not as a defining star. So, for the generation following Denzel and Co., I think Leo DiCaprio is an absolute lock, considering the pictures he's already been in. Bale is as good an actor who has ever lived, but we'll need to see how his choices affect his audience in the next few years (he still can't open a movie based on his name alone). Edward Norton just hasn't taken off either as a star. Matt Damon has a defining character in Boure, but brilliantly he isn't defined by that as an actor, in the sense that when we watch THE GOOD SHEPERD we don't see Bourne. I am tempted to break the 'generations' down pretty small and say guys like Gosling and Bell are part of the NEXT one, but if you include the with Bale and Leo then they are certainly behind based on number of films, but they definatly have a chance.

[BugMuffins]

OK, lets try this. I am going to name you some potential actors (and for those of you who insist an actor is male & and an actress female) and you tell me where they fall. Obviously, I am just trying to get a feel for your time frame & desired profile level without going to the "new school" of actors like Ryan Gosling.

Harvey Keitel
Christopher Walkin
Parker Posey
Dennis Hopper
Deborah Kara Unger
George Clooney
Lawrence Tierney
Mel Gibson
Forest Whitaker
Holly Beary
James McAvoy
Jamie Foxx
Kim Basinger

[m_burlock]

Johnny Depp
Brad Pitt
Sean Penn
Helena Bonham Carter