Up and Coming Stars of 2011/12

There’s been several performances from young actors and actresses recently, that have caught the attention of the movie world. These are the next generation of Hollywood stars, that are clearly destined for big things. Here are a few that have caught my attention.

Garrett Hedlund
After starring in the overhyped dragon flop, Eragon, Garrett featured in a small role in 2007’s excellent revenge thriller Death Sentence. However, these roles gathered little attention, however three years later he showed his skills as a leading man in the excellent Tron: Legacy. This was followed by a supporting role opposite Gwyneth Paltrow in Country Strong where he was allowed to show his excellent country vocals. With On The Road on the horizon, Garrett is surely destined for even big things.

Abbie Cornish
A movie the scale of Sucker Punch is always going to gather widespread attention and it’s four lead actresses are all on their way up. Although it was Abbie Cornish that caught my attention. The Australian actress featured in one of the main roles in Candy and various higher profile roles soon followed. However her appearance in Limitless is likely to garner much attention for her, as well as the lead role in Madonna’s W.E on it’s way.

Nico Tortorella
The model turned actor starred in two television series The Beautiful Life and Make It Or Break It, however is set for a career in film after his excellent appearance in Wes Craven’s Scream 4. Currently shooting Trespass with Nicolas Cage and Nicole Kidman and about to take the lead in teen-comedy The Lowenfish Party, Nico is sure to have a bright future.

Amber Heard
Amber’s career has already taken off with roles in genre flicks Zombieland, The Stepfather and The Ward. However it’s likely that her role in The Rum Diary opposite Johnny Depp that is likely to propel her to mainstream stardom. She’s an interesting and likeable actress so I hope her career flourishes.

Henry Cavill
I’ve always said Cavill and his The Tudors co-star Jonathan Rhys Meyers were destined for big things. Rhys-Meyers’ career after some attempts at Hollywood (in the disappointing Shelter and the fun From Paris With Love) seems to be heading in a more arthouse direction. Cavil has gone straight for the blockbusters with lead roles in the epic Immortals and blockbuster Superman: Man of Steel coming soon.

Kat Dennings
Her entertaining turns in comedies The House Bunny and Nick and Norah’s Infinite Playlist, as well as her appearance in blockbuster Thor show she’s an extremely talented comic actress. But it seems that she’s tackling a more serious project as her first mainstream lead role in Renee, chronicling a young woman’s struggle with drugs which leads to her starting a charity group.

Colin Egglesfield
With several TV roles (Melrose Place, All My Children, etc.) and a couple of B-Movies (Vampires: The Turning) under his belt, Egglesfield hits cinema screens soon in rom-com Something Borrowed. As dire as the film looks, Egglesfield is a talented actor so here’s hoping that he gets some positive attention from this.