Dear Santa,
It’s that time of year again. I will forgo the slanted justifications as to why I deserve Christmas presents this year. Instead I’ll get right to the goods. As a movie-oholic I have a very specific list this year. I’m listing five actors or actresses that I think are deserving of a major starring movie role.
Now Santa, I’m not talking about a lightweight part or even another strong supporting role. No, I think these five performers are fantastic and have proven so good at their craft that they deserve a leading part in a career changing film. So lets get down to it!
#1 – GUY PEARCE
Santa, I don’t think there is an actor more underrated and underused than Guy Pearce. He has had a few starring roles and he’s performed well. But he’s never been given a top role in a big film that I think would give him the recognition he deserves. When I think on many of today’s “leading men” I can’t help but think of how much better of an actor that Pearce is. Anyone who has seen films like “Memento” and “The Proposition” know exactly why he’s on this list.
#2 – TOM HIDDLESTON
Santa, Tom Hiddleston has been very good this year. In his second turn as Loki in this year’s “The Avengers” he was wonderful. He was also brilliant in “The Deep Blue Sea” and who can forget his great work in last year’s “Midnight in Paris”? Talk about a master of his craft. He’s a guy that I’ll watch in almost thing. Santa please bring him that big role that will show the unbelievers that he is truly one of cinema’s greatest current actors.
#3 – EMILY BLUNT
Ok Santa, I know Emily Blunt has starred in a number of films but few really extend her or utilize the true screen talent that she has. Blunt has an effortless genuineness to her that can’t be overstated. She has shined in supporting roles but has mostly been limited to romantic comedies. But regardless of the role, Blunt has always been wonderful to watch and I’m convinced that she could handle any part. It’s great to see her range of opportunities growing but I’m style anxiously awaiting that one big opportunity.
#4 – WILLIAM FICHTNER
William Fichtner may be one of the most recognizable faces in movies and on television. He’s an amazing actor who instantly catches your eye with every performance. But for some reason he has been restricted to supporting character roles in a variety of films. Santa, if there was every a high quality actor who deserves a big time starring shot it’s Fichtner. “Heat”, “Black Hawk Down”, and even “The Dark Knight” are just a few of the films that prove his talents.
#5 – REBECCA HALL
It may be a stretch and many may view Rebecca Hall as unproven, but I find her to be a great actress and I can see her taking on a big role and doing great things with it. Santa, I can honestly say that she has been excellent in everything I’ve seen her in. I first saw her and loved her in Christopher Nolan’s “The Prestige”. She was also wonderful in “Vicki, Cristina, Barcelona”, “Frost/Nixon”, “Please Give”, and “The Town”. Rebecca Hall is an actress that may not be on many people’s radar, but she should be.
So there they are Santa. I really hope you can come through for not only me but movie fans everywhere. These five actors and actresses deserve a bigger shot and they could do a heck of a lot better than many of today’s bigger names. And if anyone can make this happen it’s you. I know Hollywood isn’t getting it done. Thanks Santa and Merry Christmas!
Keith
Keith & the Movies 
Two thumbs up for Guy Pearce! The others deserve big roles too, but he’s a personal favorite 🙂
Oh same here. I absolutely love Guy Pearce. He’s such a great talent.
Good post bro. Totally with you Fichtner. What an actor that guy is. Pearce has nearly been there but still deserves more.
Isn’t Fichtner great? It doesn’t matter what the part is he excels. Even in poorer movies he’s the one quality of greatness. Love the guy.
Thumbs up for Tom Hiddleston and Rebecca Hall. Both are fantastic Brit actors who are doing well so far, but a big role for each would be brill!
I adore them both. They are the type of performers that attract me just by having their names attached to a project. I want to see more of them in bigger roles. They deserve it.
Nice post Keith. Gotta agree with all of those. I really liked Rebecca Hall in Vicki Cristina Barcelona too, thought that was quite an underrated film. And it does seem odd that Guy Pearce isn’t given the recognition he really deserves considering some of the stuff he’s been in.
Hope Santa brings you what you want! Merry Christmas 🙂
Merry Christmas to you too my friend. And I couldn’t agree more about Hall. She’s actually the one who sparked this post. The Town was on recently and I was reminded of how good she really is.
Great list man. Ive always felt the same for Thomas Jane, I’d love to see him get the spotlight as well .
Forgot about Jane. Great mention.
Well, though I agree equally with Rebecca Hall and William Fichtner, no one seems to get behind poor Emily Blunt. So, let me back her up. She is amazing and totally deserves anything and everything she gets. Hopefully, this year will give her brand a needed push to make it big.
If I made such list, I will have Ellen Page on it.
Page is a good choice. Also really glad I’m not the only who sees Blunts greatness. I am always amazed at how comfortable she is in front of the camera. Every performance shows it.
I will join the Blunt train! 😀 I love her work too (she was brilliant in Looper!). This is a solid list–agree with all your choices.
My wish is about to come true to two of my favorites right now–Benedict Cumberbatch and Martin Freeman (stars of BBC’s Sherlock, which I am in love with…) are about to explode on the scene. Freeman in Hobbit and Cumberbatch in Star Trek 2. Then the whole world will know what I know…they’re AWESOME!
Happy Holidays!
You too and thanks for the great names you mentioned. Plus, there is always room for another big Blunt fan! 🙂
LOL. How generous of you, to ask for gifts for others from Santa. 🙂 I’m sure they’d all be appreciative!
Absolutely! Tis the season! LOL!
I make the case for Guy Pearce, too!
Fantastic! He’s certainly underappreciated in Hollywood! Such a great actor.
Great list! Amen on Hiddleston and Blunt. I love them to death.
Same here!!! Doesn’t hurt that Blunt is absolutely gorgeous either! 🙂 lol
Haha, no it doesn’t. She is very beautiful.
A fun list here. Love the idea of the letter to Santa. I think the actors themselves though aren’t helping your case given some of the choices they’ve made.
Guy Pearce (I agree, but LOCKOUT??)
William Fichtner (again, agreed, but DRIVE ANGRY and ULTRAVIOLET??)
heehee.
fun stuff here man!
Thanks for checking out my letter my friend. “Lockout” was ridiculous but intentionally so as an 80s action homage. Still wasn’t great by any stretch.
“Drive Angry” was pretty crappy although I loved Fichter in it. “Ultraviolet.L”….Well I don’t remember a single thing about it other than it was terrible
Drive Angry is Craptastic, and Fitcher makes it memorable. He is in so many small parts in big movies, I think he may be stuck in character actor purgatory. Any movie is better because he is in it. Guy Pearce was in two Academy Award Best Picture winners in a row, and has had some great parts. There is something that keeps him from breaking out but I’m damned if I can tell you what it is? He may be stuck at Dennis Quaid level stardom, a good leading man but not ever the star he should be.
I have a suggestion for you to follow up this post with. Stars who don’t work enough or are retired and need to come back to the big screen. (Kurt Russel, Gene Hackman, one more Sean, don’t let LXG be your swan song.
Good stuff! Dennis Quaid is stuck in that mid-level status isn’t he. 100% agree with your take on Fichter. Well said!
Completely agree with your list. Except maybe Hall. Haven’t seen her much. But emphatically agree about Pearce!!! (notice the exclamations)
One of my favourites: Ben Foster. That kid should get a hefty role ala Ryan Gosling’s HALF NELSON and just go buck.
Pearce is a true favorite of man. Look for him in Iron Man 3 next year!