'Rings' hero escapes blockbuster syndrome
| • | Grabbing the post-'Ring' brass ring |
By Susan Wloszczyna
USA Today
Elijah Wood has said he is determined to avoid the Mark Hamill route when it comes to charting his post-"Lord of the Rings" film career course.
Columbia Pictures
Translation: No "Corvette Summer" for the artist formerly known as Frodo.
Sean Astin parlayed his portrayal of Hobbit Sam into a role as Drew Barrymore's brother in "50 First Dates."
But unlike the one-time Luke Skywalker — an unknown when cast in 1977's "Star Wars" who fell victim to typecasting — the hero hobbit, 23, built a solid résumé ("The Ice Storm", "Deep Impact") before his Tolkien odyssey, and may avoid the curse of the blockbuster.
Breaking out in a hugely successful film series can either be a trap door to B-movie hell or a stairway to A-list heaven. Though Hamill struggled after hanging up his light saber, Harrison Ford soared after playing Han Solo.
"Rings" grads will soon see what the fates hold as they appear in a rush of films opening in the next couple of months. First up: Sean Astin (hobbit Sam) in "50 First Dates."
It need not be a burden to be linked to a hugely popular movie. But there's usually no place to go but down.
Associated Press
Take "Titanic" kids Leonardo DiCaprio and Kate Winslet. After starring in the biggest box office hit of all time, DiCaprio flopped in "The Beach" before coming up for air two years later in "Gangs of New York" and "Catch Me if You Can." Winslet took cover in independent films, worked steadily and collected her third Oscar nomination for 2001's "Iris."
Leonardo DiCaprio flailed after "Titanic" until he joined Martin Scorsese's period mob movie "Gangs of New York" several years later.
A fantasy may prove less limiting. "It's unlikely they will be in similar movies or wear such a specific look again," says Laura Morgan of Teen People.
"Rings" watchers don't need a crystal palantir to agree on one forecast: Veteran actor Viggo Mortensen (world-weary warrior Aragorn) and pin-up sensation Orlando Bloom (pristine elf Legolas) have nothing to worry about.
Mortensen, 45, already is seeing his status rise to leading man in the horse-race adventure "Hidalgo," out March 5. "He's the only one in the 'Rings' movies who isn't 2 or 102," says E! Online gossip guru Ted Casablanca.
But this down-to-Middle-Earth heartthrob, who is also a photographer and poet, could walk away from fame and still thrive. "Viggo is very self-assured and self-confident," says "Hidalgo" director Joe Johnston. "If you call him a movie star, you risk insulting him a bit."
Bloom, 27, shares the screen with Heath Ledger in "Ned Kelly," due March 26, but moves to the next level as loverboy Paris in the epic "Troy" with Brad Pitt May 14. "It is smart to cast him with established stars," Morgan says. "If he gets rid of the elf hair, it's all good."
Ian McKellen, 64, may be sitting the prettiest of them all. "It's the best time to be an old Shakespearean actor," says Adam Sternbergh of fametracker.com. "You get these great roles in blockbusters and have the time of your life."
