Vanity Fair’s Hollywood Problem

The annual Vanity Fair event highlighting Hollywood typically blends rising stars with established icons. This year, they tackled the ongoing crisis of leading men. With Leonardo DiCaprio, now 51, recently experiencing a significant downturn, juxtaposed with stars like Dwayne Johnson and Colin Farrell, it seems fitting for him to focus on some newer talents. The magazine shortlisted over a dozen actors, notably A$AP Rocky, Riz Ahmed, Jonathan Bailey, and Michael B. Jordan, among others.

Before diving deeper, it’s worth noting that all these guys are, well, pretty solid actors. They’ve showcased impressive performances, teaming up with notable directors from David Fincher to Quentin Tarantino. Yet, the focus of Vanity Fair isn’t solely on acting prowess; it’s about who can truly captivate as leading men. It’s understandable that they aimed for a broad selection to avoid the pitfalls of picking just a few—ensuring they have options to resonate across different audiences still feels sensible.

So, what’s the verdict on these selected actors?

For starters, some tweaked their ages a bit. The magazine doesn’t explicitly outline age parameters, but perhaps the next wave of leading men ought to be younger than the Millennial generation. Take Andrew Garfield—he’s undeniably talented but has been in the spotlight for quite some time now, having portrayed Spider-Man in 2012! He’s no longer the freshest face. Michael B. Jordan, while impressive, is verging on 40, yet he’s an undeniable force in Hollywood. His film Creed debuted a solid decade ago; it makes you wonder if he should’ve been highlighted back in 2017. LaKeith Stanfield is a tad younger but still feels, I don’t know, like he’s moving slowly.

Then there’s Jonathan Bailey. Has he truly established himself as a leading man on the big screen? This weekend, he’ll be in a supporting role in a major theater production. He was enjoyable in Jurassic World: Rebirth, but let’s be real, the attention there was on bigger names and, well, a dinosaur. Callum Turner has had limited exposure in widely seen films, having appeared in Fantastic Beasts as Eddie Redmayne’s sibling. His upcoming project, Eternity, might not be his breakout either. A$AP Rocky did have a notable supporting role this past year, but he seems hesitant to shift his focus entirely from music to acting.

This means that almost half of the chosen names don’t quite fit the bill of being new or compelling leading men. The rest, while perhaps coined as the future, still have some groundwork to lay. Actors like Paul Mescal and Riz Ahmed may not yet have box office hits under their belts, but both have nabbed Oscar nominations, hinting at their potential. Ahmed, in particular, has given a subtle yet gripping performance in Relay, a film that deserves more recognition.

Harris Dickinson is another one of those actors on the rise, but it’s uncertain how far he’ll climb—unless the bond rumors pan out. Jeremy Allen White does have undeniable talent but seems anchored by his current role in Bears. It’s evident that none of them are easily recognizable as the next big male leads.

Austin Butler and Glen Powell stand out among the crowd, though I admit this might reflect my own biases. They fit the mold of traditional leading men and know how to carry a film, which does give them an edge. But, is that enough? Butler’s performance in the recent crime drama showcased some depth, yet he didn’t quite take it to the next level. Powell, meanwhile, appears to have less ambition for a major hit in the upcoming films he’s attached to.

This certainly isn’t a final chance for either, as both will likely achieve some notable successes down the line. Powell’s collaborations with seasoned directors could yield significant results, while Butler has a promising crime film on his slate. The shifting landscape, particularly with emerging companies like A24, seems essential for the future of these actors. They may face more challenges than established stars of yesteryear, with a more significant emphasis on creative storytelling.

Moreover, it’s crucial to highlight that pathways for traditional leading roles seem slimmer than ever. Strangely, the actors on this list may not possess the traits required for superhero roles, suggesting that long-term stardom is becoming tougher to attain compared to brief superhero stints. In a way, it reveals an uncanny blend of both human fragility and cinematic aspirations.