Star Life Talk and Gossip

Empire Magazine’s 20 under 20

May 11, 2009 - 8:57 pm No Comments

Empire Magazine, a really great film magazine, is celebrating their 20-year anniversary. As part of that observance, they did an article called “20 Stars Who Weren’t Alive When Empire Started.” It’s a fun article; they tell you what each young actor was in, and then they speculate whether this young one will have an acting career as an adult…because as we all know, sometimes they just become washed-up former stars.

The following are their picks, but my comments.

Daniel Radcliffe. He is Harry Potter, of course, but he’s done a ton of other stuff, too. He gets better every passing year. And he gets better looking every passing year, too.
Miley Cyrus. I don’t know…I’m just tired of her. I mean, her songs are okay, in a bubble-gum teenpop sort of way, but maybe if the media would leave her alone, she could develop her music more.
Dakota Fanning. This girl is already so impressive, so accomplished, that if she keeps her career and not her private life front and center, she’ll go far. She’s already a draw, and she’s only 14.
Dev Patel. He was amazing in Slumdog Millionaire. I hope he gets every possible good thing.
Taylor Lautner. My Jacob, as Bella would say. He clinched the role of Jacob through sheer work and will power, and if he uses the Twilight Saga to grow even more as an actor, he’ll be great.
Thomas Turgoose. I don’t kow who this kid is, but I wouldn’t want to meet him in a dark alley.
Christopher Mintz-Plasse. I hated Superbad, but who doesn’t love ‘em some McLovin’?
Hayden Panettiere. I don’t watch Heroes, so I don’t see the draw. I’ve seen no proof the girl can act, but she’s cute, so maybe that won’ t matter.
Emma Roberts. Seriously, she’s got to find herself some role with some depth. She won’t make it if she stays so lightweight, I don’t care who her auntie is.
Rupert Grint. I love him, but I’m still undecided. Driving Lessons was wretched…or rather, he was terrible in it. But the upcoming Cherrybomb should tell us if he can handle something a bit heavier than Harry Potter.
Bill Milner. Cute, very young…I don’t know what else to say.
Saorise Ronan. I havnen’t seen her work, but she seems to be respected by people I respect, so I hope she continues to do well. And how do you pronounce that name?
Abigail Breslin. She was so wonderful in Little Miss Sunshine. I’m glad to see her doing well.
Freddie Highmore. It’s hard to see him doing anything more gritty, but I think he’ll want to start looking in that direction. It’s worked for Fanning and Radcliffe, despite their baby faces.
AnnaSophia Robb. I’ve liked her since Winn-Dixie, and I really wanted her for the role of Annabeth in The Lightning Thief. Nobody listens to me.
Josh Hutcherson. He was my first choice for Percy Jackson. I just like his style… unpretentious, straighforward, and believable. He may not be the glamourboy of the paparazzi, but he’s a solid, harworking actor, and that’s worth some respect.
Rory Culkin. He’s going to have to do it all on his own terms, but it looks like he’s actually doing that. Good for you, kid.
Kristen Stewart. I like her on screen, and I like her rebellious attitude off screen. If she can keep herself from self-destructing, she’ll go far.
Emma Watson. It’s like she descends from on high to do a film… and we’re all grateful. She’s talented, graceful, smart, and beautiful. Such class. A few of the young ladies on this list could take lessons.
Will Poulter. I don’t know him, but he’s set to act in the next Narnia installment, so he’s on the right track.

Now, I do think they missed a few. How about Logan Lerman? I mean, he just landed the lead in a 5-part series, the Percy Jackson series, so that’s a HUGE deal.