Something big is underway in Hollywood this summer. I'm not just talking about the explosion in the popularity of IMAX, where demand is outstripping supply. Or the increase in ticket prices for either 3D (which is largely being subsidized by the major Hollywood studios) or digital screenings, or the fact the Hollywood has proven to be Great Recession proof. All of this is true, but what no one is talking about is Hollywood's 2009 Summer of the New Stars.
Hollywood usually produces only 2 new stars a year: 1 male star and 1 female star. These are the Scarlett Johansson's and Robert Pattinson's of the Hollywood universe. Hollywood always needs new stars. The average starmaking of the last 5 years has been 2 new stars a year.
But this summer is different. Hollywood is grooming several new stars, most in their 30's and largely unknown, are looking to replace the stars that are rapidly aging into their upper 40's and 50's (Brad Pitt & Tom Cruise) are getting ready to replace legends like the dearly departed Paul Newman as films' elderstatemen. These new stars also come at the right price (inexpensive) for studios trimming expenses in the newly restrictive corporate belt tightening environment.
New stars in the making include Shia LeBouf. Already a star, but being cemented in this summer's Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen. Star Trek is making Chris Pine and Zachary Quito as well as the new James T. Kirk/Thor - Chris Hemsworth into stars. Taylor Lautner is looking to join 2008's new star Robert Pattinson at the end of 2009 with the Twilight Eclipse. Although his first major film release is Terminator Salvation, new star Sam Worthington (Marcus) first major film role is this Christmas' most anticipated release - James Cameron's Avatar. Fox can now focus on the filmmaker for the publicity and wisely left the star-building to Warner Bros. with T4.
Although he's been around for a while, and a star for several summer's, no summer means more to Christian Bale's career than 2009. How does Christian Bale follow-up to his role in the #2 highest grossing movie of all time, last summer's out of control smash hit The Dark Knight? With not 1, but 2 big summer film roles in 2009. Even though new star Worthington stole the movie out from under him, Mr. Bale still performed masterfully as the new John Connor in Terminator Salvation. So let's see, Mr. Bale now has Batman and John Connor both sewn up in multiple sequels for year's to come ($$$$$). But Mr Bale is not yet done with summer of 2009. He plays the good guy FBI agent opposite Johnny Depp's John Dillinger in Public Enemies. Not a bad career at all for the man who began his film acting career with Stephen Spielberg in 1987's Empire of the Sun. This also looks to be Channing Tatum's year to breakout in late summer's big GI Joe film.
And what about the ladies? Megan Fox is making a big push to be the next Angelina Jolie. There are not a lack of sexy Hollywood leading ladies. In fact, there's more supply than demand in this area.
And then there are the outliers. The next serious Academy Award winning actor who is currently in his 20's looks to me to be Emile Hirsh. Meryl Streep has summer movie hit #3 on her hands with Julia & Julia following Mamma Mia (see previous blog posting on how terrible of a film this was, despite it's incredible box office & DVD nostalgic success) and The Devil Wears Prada. Robert Downey Jr. meteoric and long overdue makeover into a bonfide star will be shown again in the highly amusing Sherlock Holmes and next summer's Iron Man 2. Katherine Heigl has taken over from Julia Roberts (who took it over from Meg Ryan) the role of #1 female romantic comedy star.
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