ACTORS WHO DOMINATED FILMS IN THE 2010S - THEN COMPLETELY DISAPPEARED
Before this current decade of film, which is primarily focused on streaming and big-name franchises, the 2010s were a thriving time for different kinds of movies. Original and blockbuster movies ruled the box office, with independent cinema also creating waves, making for a nostalgic decade. More importantly, within this decade, there were a plethora of shining stars getting their time in the spotlight.
Both acting veterans and rising stars were showcased in many films across the 2010s. However, specific actors peaked during the 2010s and couldn't match that same momentum once the decade concluded. Whether because of being too associated with a franchise, retirement, lesser projects offered, or even scandals in the headlines, these actors have largely been absent in recent years. Cameron Diaz, Armie Hammer, and Ben Stiller are just a few of the multiple actors who had their time in the 2010s but haven't been as prominent now.
Taylor Lautner Has Mainly Been Famous For Twilight
- Most famous 2010s movie: The Twilight franchise
The Twilight movie series has had its fair share of fans and detractors throughout its five installments. Twilight was a dominant pop culture phenomenon in the late 2000s and early 2010s as fans arrived at the theater to see their favorite books get adapted for the big screen. The franchise's cast eventually became more famous stars because of these movies, including Taylor Lautner, who plays the werewolf Jacob.
With entries like Eclipse and both parts of Breaking Dawn, the Twilight franchise finished in 2012. Kristen Stewart and Robert Pattinson have both found greater success and acclaim, with the former earning an Oscar nomination for Spencer and the latter being the latest actor to play Batman. However, the same could not be said about Lautner. The heartthrob actor tried his hand at other genres, like action with Abduction and Tracers. He also did comedies like Grown Ups 2 and The Ridiculous 6. But, after these movies failed critically, Lautner disappeared from the spotlight after the 2010s.
The Twilight Saga
As a string of mysterious killings grips Seattle, Bella, whose high school graduation is fast approaching, is forced to choose between her love for vampire Edward and her friendship with werewolf Jacob.
Eva Green Was a Rising Starlet in The 2010s
- Most famous 2010s movie: 300: Rise of an Empire
After making a name for herself in the mid-2000s with films like Casino Royale and Kingdom of Heaven, Eva Green was ready for more big movies to come her way. In the 2010s, she starred in multiple blockbusters, mostly adaptations and sequels. Though some of her films were critically low, Green still gave a committed performance in them. She started the decade with a delightfully evil performance in Tim Burton's Dark Shadows as Angelique Bouchard.
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Dark Shadows was the start of other collaborations with Burton. She also appeared in the director's remake of Dumbo and the adaptation of Miss Peregrine's Home For Peculiar Children as the titular Miss Peregrine. Additionally, Green appeared in two movie sequels in 2014: 300: Rise of an Empire and Sin City: A Dame to Kill For. While both sequels failed to live up to their predecessors, Green gave two mesmerizing villain performances. Green also starred in the Showtime TV show Penny Dreadful for three seasons. After the 2010s showcased her beautiful presence, Green hasn't been in many popular movies following that decade.
300: Rise of an Empire
Based on Frank Miller's latest graphic novel, "Xerxes," 300: Rise of an Empire follows greek general Themistokles' attempts to unite all of Greece by leading the charge that will change the course of the war. The movie pits Themistokles against the massive invading Persian forces led by mortal-turned-god Xerxes and the deadly Artemisia, the vengeful commander of the Persian navy.
Liam Hemsworth's Career Peaked With The Hunger Games
- Most famous 2010s movie: The Hunger Games franchise
Even though Liam Hemsworth has been living in the shadow of his more successful brother, Chris, he still had some hits in his filmography. The Hunger Games movies took the world by storm in the 2010s, taking many of its actors' careers to new heights and becoming a multi-billion dollar franchise. The movies' primary stars were Jennifer Lawrence, Josh Hutcherson, and Liam Hemsworth, who played Katniss, Peeta, and Gale.
While Lawrence became an award-winning actress and Hutcherson eventually found new success with Five Nights at Freddy's, Hemsworth's projects outside The Hunger Games have had mixed results. The same year The Hunger Games was released, Hemsworth was in the bombastic action sequel The Expendables 2. He then tried his hand at another huge sci-fi franchise. Hemsworth starred in the 2016 sequel Independence Day: Resurgence as the new lead character, but it couldn't live up to the beloved original. The only other notable movie he worked on was the 2019 romantic comedy Isn't It Romantic. While the 2020s have been uneventful for Liam Hemsworth, his casting in Netflix's The Witcher may put him back in the spotlight.
The Hunger Games
The Hunger Games franchise shows a dystopian future where teens are forced to battle to the death for the amusement of the wealthy. Everything changes when Katniss Everdeen volunteers in place of her sister, Primrose.
Dane DeHaan Was in Multiple Big Blockbusters
- Most famous 2010s movie: The Amazing Spider-Man 2
In the 2010s, Dane DeHaan was involved in multiple acclaimed and action-packed movies, making many people believe he would go far. 2012 was the year DeHaan's career really took off, having supporting roles in Lincoln, Lawless, and The Place Beyond the Pines. However, the found-footage superhero movie Chronicle got viewers' attention the most. His performance as Andrew, a regular high school kid who grows evil with his new superhuman powers, was riveting.
In 2014, DeHaan landed another huge role as Harry Osborn/Green Goblin in The Amazing Spider-Man 2. Playing one of Spider-Man's most iconic enemies felt like a dream come true for DeHaan. Unfortunately, the sequel underperformed with critics and audiences, making this the only time DeHaan could play the character. In 2017, he starred as the lead in both A Cure For Wellness and Valerian and the City of a Thousand Planets, but both movies bombed at the box office. After the 2010s, DeHaan rarely did other high-profile projects. However, after doing smaller supporting roles in 2023's Oppenheimer and Dumb Money, DeHaan hasn't disappeared from acting entirely.
The Amazing Spider-Man 2
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Felicity Jones Was Part of The Star Wars And Spider-Man Franchises
- Most famous 2010s movie: Rogue One: A Star Wars Story
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The mid-2010s were important for Felicity Jones' acting career. She was mostly known for romance movies and films set in the UK, but in 2014, she became a bigger star. First, she was featured in The Amazing Spider-Man 2 as Felicia, Harry Osborn's assistant. The plan was for Felicia to become Black Cat in another installment, but it got canceled. But, her Oscar-nominated portrayal of Jane Hawking in The Theory of Everything got more people interested in her.
Then, 2016 was the year when Jones was in multiple big-name movies. She played an ill mother in the tear-jerking fantasy film A Monster Calls and starred alongside Tom Hanks in Inferno, the final film in the Robert Langdon trilogy. Jones would then get the opportunity of a lifetime to play Jyn Erso in Rogue One, which is considered one of the best modern Star Wars movies. After being involved in one of the most successful franchises ever, Jones would follow it up with performances in The Aeronauts and On the Basis of Sex, a biopic about Ruth Bader Ginsburg. Jones hasn't been in as many popular movies as she used to since the 2010s ended. Nevertheless, the 2020s could still give her a chance to return.
Rogue One: A Star Wars Story
In a time of conflict, a group of unlikely heroes band together on a mission to steal the plans to the Death Star, the Empire's ultimate weapon of destruction.
Lucas Hedges Was in Many Acclaimed And Award-Winning Films
- Most famous 2010s movie: Manchester by the Sea
Back in the 2010s, Lucas Hedges was one of the best young actors working in Hollywood. He began with smaller roles in the Wes Anderson movies Moonrise Kingdom and The Grand Budapest Hotel. But, when he played Patrick Chandler in the Oscar-winning Manchester by the Sea, Hedges' career skyrocketed. His performance as a teenager grieving over his father's death and living with his uncle was unanimously praised and got him a Best Supporting Actor Oscar nomination.
From there, Hedges was getting cast in multiple acclaimed movies, whether independent or mainstream. In 2017, he gave supporting performances in Lady Bird and Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri. Both films got plenty of awards buzz and were named some of the best of that year. 2018 saw Hedges star in Boy Erased, Ben is Back, and mid90s, all of which earned acclaim and allowed Hedges to work with actresses like Nicole Kidman and Julia Roberts. Finally, in 2019, Hedges starred in the coming-of-age movies Waves and Honey Boy. While Hedges has done a few lesser-known projects in the 2020s, he has mostly stuck to stage acting in recent years.
Manchester By the Sea
Irritable loner Lee Chandler finds out he's been named guardian to his 16-year-old nephew, Patrick. As if losing his only sibling and doubts about raising a teenager weren't enough, his return to the past re-opens an unspeakable tragedy.
Ben Stiller Took a Major Break After The 2010s
- Most famous 2010s movie: The Secret Life of Walter Mitty
Ben Stiller is a comedy icon who took off in the 2000s with movies like Zoolander, The Royal Tenenbaums, Tropic Thunder, and many more. He kept that momentum going in the 2010s, starting with Little Fockers, the last of the Meet the Parents movies. Moving forward, he headlined the action comedy Tower Heist and the sci-fi comedy The Watch. He also continued leading famous franchises like Night at the Museum and Madagascar, which each got a third installment in the 2010s.
However, the one project that stood out in Stiller's filmography during the decade was the emotional and motivational adventure drama The Secret Life of Walter Mitty. His performance as a magazine employee embarking on a one-of-a-kind adventure across the world resonated with and inspired audiences. With Zoolander 2, Stiller returned to direct and star as the titular male model, but the sequel flopped. The only other noteworthy project Stiller did was Netflix's The Meyerowitz Stories, in which he starred alongside Adam Sandler. In the 2020s, Stiller's name hasn't been as prominent as it once was. This is because he took a step back from acting to work on directing and producing instead.
Night at the Museum
Night at the Museum is a comedy adventure film directed by Shawn Levy. It tells the story of Larry Daley (Ben Stiller), a night shift security guard at the American Museum of Natural History in New York City who realizes that all the exhibits in the museum come to life at night. The cast includes Robin Williams as Theodore Roosevelt, Patrick Gallagher as Attila the Hun, and Mizuo Peck and Sacagawea.
James Franco's Career Stopped After Serious Allegations
- Most famous 2010s movie: Rise of the Planet of the Apes
James Franco was once an in-demand actor, but his career took a downward turn once scandalous accusations against him surfaced. Throughout the 2000s, Franco was famous for playing Harry Osborn in Sam Raimi's Spider-Man movies and multiple comedies starring him and Seth Rogen. At the start of the 2010s, he showcased his dramatic skills with his performance in 127 Hours, a survival film based on a true story. He then followed it up with Rise of the Planet of the Apes, the start of an acclaimed reboot trilogy.
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2013 was a stellar year for Franco as he headlined the prequel Oz the Great and Powerful and the divisive indie film Spring Breakers. His best movie from that year was the outrageous post-apocalyptic comedy This is the End, where he and other comedy actors played exaggerated versions of themselves. He continued collaborating with Rogen for The Interview and Sausage Party. Then, in 2017, Franco directed, produced, and starred as Tommy Wiseau in The Disaster Artist, a hilarious biopic about The Room's production. However, shortly after that film's success, Franco was accused of sexual misconduct, and his career hasn't recovered since.
Rise of the Planet of the Apes
A substance designed to help the brain repair itself gives advanced intelligence to a chimpanzee who leads an ape uprising.
Armie Hammer Was Riding High Until a Scandal Brought Him Down
- Most famous 2010s movie: The Social Network
Like James Franco, Armie Hammer had a thriving career that was destroyed because of a scandal. Before making strange headlines in the news, Hammer's career consisted of blockbuster and well-acclaimed films in the 2010s. He began the decade by starring in the award-winning The Social Network, playing the Winklevoss twins. His dual performance caught the attention of Hollywood as he started getting more prominent roles.
2013's The Lone Ranger was supposed to kickstart a franchise, but the film was both a critical and financial disappointment. 2015's The Man From U.N.C.L.E was a fun spy adventure featuring him and Henry Cavill that was well-liked by audiences. Unfortunately, it also failed at the box office. He then had acclaimed performances in Nocturnal Animals, Free Fire, Sorry to Bother You and Call Me by Your Name. He even did voice work for Pixar when he played the villain Jackson Storm in Cars 3. However, in 2021, Hammer's career took a downfall when unsettling text messages were leaked to the public detailing his graphic thoughts and sexual desires. Aside from appearing in Death on the Nile, Hammer's career hasn't recovered since this scandal.
The Social Network
As Harvard student Mark Zuckerberg creates the social networking site that would become known as Facebook, he is sued by the twins who claimed he stole their idea and by the co-founder who was later squeezed out of the business.
Cameron Diaz Famously Retired From Acting
- Most famous 2010s movie: Shrek Forever After
Cameron Diaz was once an actress that was on everyone's radar. Throughout the 1990s and 2000s, she was a high-profile actress in movies like Charlie's Angels, There's Something About Mary, and the Shrek franchise. While the 2010s were a less-stacked decade for her, Diaz was still prominent in Hollywood. She started the 2010s by reprising Fiona in Shrek Forever After and starring alongside Tom Cruise in the action comedy Knight and Day.
In 2011, she was in the superhero crime movie The Green Hornet and played a profane and lazy teacher in Bad Teacher. Other movies in the 2010s she was involved in included What to Expect When You're Expecting and Ridley Scott's The Counselor. 2014 was the last big year for Diaz as she appeared in the romantic comedy The Other Woman, a modern reboot of Annie, and the raunchy comedy Sex Tape. Despite being critical duds, the three movies were still commercially successful. Not long after completing these films, Diaz revealed she would be retiring from acting to focus on her family and other businesses. Diaz has stepped away from the spotlight but is eyeing a grand return to movies with Netflix's Back in Action and the recently announced Shrek 5.
Shrek Forever After
In the fourth film in the series, Shrek finds himself overwhelmed and wishing for the days when he lived a simple ogre's life. He is tempted into a contract with Rumpelstiltskin to earn a day of the life he wants, but it turns out to have dire consequences.