Discuss: Who Should Be the Next Comeback?
Now that Mickey Rourke has made a killer return to Hollywood, who should be next?Ever since I saw the clip Peter added to his Indie Roundup last month, I'm dreaming of an Eric Roberts comeback. As Rourke (Roberts' The Pope of Greenwich Village co-star) said: "Eric Roberts is the f---in' man!" I'm sure it was all sorts of embarrassing for Eric, but Mickey has got a point. Roberts has got a heck of a lot more talent than most people today realize, and he just doesn't get a chance to show it off.
I never forgot, but that's because when other tykes in the '80s were purring for James Spader, Judd Nelson, and the rest of the brat pack, I was all about Roberts. It started with young adoration for Nobody's Fool and Best of the Best, and became critical appreciation after seeing films like Star 80 and Greenwich, before becoming despair over projects like the Doctor Who TV special. He's been in something good gigs recently (The Dark Knight), but nothing that really shows his range or talents.
It's always the same -- no one seems to remember an actor's talents until a filmmaker has the guts to cast them in something good. Almost immediately, there's that sigh of recognition, a bellowing "Oh yeah!" Like clockwork, the projects start raining down and Hollywood seems to forget their recent forgetfulness.
Before Rourke, it was Jackie Earle Haley -- a guy who not only dipped out of the spotlight, he also dipped out of Hollywood, only to return with amazing films and huge notoriety. One always replaces the next, and like chicks following mama hen, Hollywood chooses to pick the same now-safe comeback picks, rather than finding their own forgotten name to grab.
Of course, it isn't just men -- Elisabeth noted that last month as well, picking out names that have fallen like Sean Young and Winona Ryder. (Yeah, the latter had gigs in the likes of Sex and Death 101 and A Scanner Darkly, but it's easy to forget that she's a two-time Oscar nominee.) There's certainly a lot more leeway for the male actors, but in any case, Hollywood just loves to love 'em and leave 'em.
Granted, in many of these cases, it has a lot to do with the actor's personal lives. I used to hear tons of stories about Rourke's times in Toronto, and of course, Mr. Roberts has had his share of turmoil. Get too risque (La Lohan-style), and nothing will save you, except time.
In Rourke's speech, he also said: "I wish there would be one g-dd--n filmmaker in this room who would let him fly..."
Who do you want to fly again?
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
3-05-2009 @ 9:17PM
Gray McAdam said...
I have maintained over the course of the past few years that three actors need a comeback, and they need it bad.
The first, was, and has always been, Emilio Estevez. Bobby never quite did it for him, and two years later, he's back out of any sort of spotlight that movie cast his direction. Personally, and I think I speak for all Canadian "kids" in my age group, we just really want him to lace up the skates and show us Gordon Bombay one last time.
The second, is Tom Berenger. I honestly don't know how he went from Platoon and Major League to the depths of obscurity, but here's a guy who I think Tarantino needs to take a long hard look at. He could have been a phenomenal Basterd!
The last, although not as significant as the other two, is Kevin Kline. He used to be great, but now he just seems to dabble in theater (which is great) but give us some more of the old Kline we knew and loved!!
Sigourney Weaver would also make my list, but having appeared in three pretty decent movies this past year and with Avatar coming, I am not officially adding here.
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3-05-2009 @ 9:20PM
Monika said...
Gray,
I could do with more Kline. The Anniversary Party was the last film I loved him in, and that was 2001. As for dabbling in theater -- he's really amazing on stage, and you should try to catch him doing it if you can. If not, rent Pirates of Penzance (the recording of the Papp play, not the film adaptation of it). :)
3-05-2009 @ 9:20PM
Cole said...
"If he dies..he dies!" DOLPH LUNDGREN!!
He's got Universal Soldier 3, and Stallone's "The Expendables"! This is a guy who has some decent acting chops, incredible physicality and really hasn't aged too much! WELCOME BACK DOLPH!
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3-05-2009 @ 9:56PM
MCW said...
Good call. I've never understood how a giant like Dolph hasn't been more successful. He could've been Mr. Nanny!
3-05-2009 @ 9:58PM
MCW said...
My personal pick is obviously Rick Moranis. There is no freaking better time than now to get in the next Ghostbusters movie and launch it from there. He would totally fit in the ridiculous Arrested Development cast as well for that "movie" if it ever happens.
This is partially spurred thanks to that video you posted, but no less important.
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3-06-2009 @ 12:35AM
Thomas said...
Harrison Ford.
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3-06-2009 @ 1:27AM
Jeff said...
Michael Biehn was always a fave of mine when I was younger. I was glad to see him in Grindhouse/Planet Terror, but it seems he has delved right back into obscurity. Word was that he was up for a part in 'Avatar', but James Cameron already had Sigourney Weaver cast and didnt want to make it like an 'Aliens' reunion...at least that's what he says.
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3-06-2009 @ 1:38AM
Owen said...
Michael Keaton. Game. Set. Match.
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3-06-2009 @ 3:31AM
tyler said...
It just makes me feel sad that the only chance to see guys like Ray Liotta or Guy Pearce, after such iconic roles, is to watch them in some b-movie supporting role...
Totally agree with Michael Keaton
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3-06-2009 @ 9:23AM
Kevin said...
Totally agree with Ray Liotta (that guy knows how to pick some crap movies, but he still gets in on some good ones every once in a while) but what are you talking about with Guy Pearce? I've heard him say that he'll do a big studio movie every couple of years so that he can afford to make smaller, independent movies and focus on music. If you're missing him in the smaller movies than you definitely should check them out. The Proposition is a fantastic film, and I would highly recommend buying it on Blu-Ray.
As for other peoples choices the only one I'd really support is Michael Keaton. Every few years he comes out with a movie that reminds everyone that he can really act, but then he fades into obscurity. A lot of the other picks are guys who just can't pull off the looks that made them famous, and they never showed great range to begin with (Dolph Lundgren, and while I loved Michael Biehn 20 years ago he's certainly never shown he can be anything other then a standard military guy, and now that he's past 50 I couldn't see him pulling off Navy Seal Commander too convincingly). So lets get Keaton involved in something decent this year and let these other guys fade into history.
3-06-2009 @ 3:18AM
Danny said...
This article mentioned Judd Nelson, to which I say, why not? He was the standout in The Breakfast Club, and we never see him in anything nowadays.
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3-06-2009 @ 9:19AM
Justin said...
I agree with the rick moranis comment in the comedic sense. it would be great to see him in a few cameos, perhaps a few supporting roles here or there in the next couple of years.
in reality this is a discussion about comebacks in the sense of leading men. mickey rourke and rick moranis don't compare in the slightest.
my pick: Jaleel White
all kidding aside, at such a young age this kid had such chops. he became steve urkel and it was totally believable. all he needs is a crazy cameo (e.g. Neil Patrick Harris) and then a super role, something polar opposite from Urkel and he's back!
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3-06-2009 @ 10:39AM
craig said...
I agree with MCW, Rick Morani needs to come back and do some other crazy movie. We don't have the cliche dorky guy anymore, we need some Rick back.
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3-09-2009 @ 3:26AM
Thomas said...
Hilary Swank too. Though she has the Amelia Earhart biopic coming out later in the year and also Betty Waters.
I mentioned Harrison Ford earlier because he was my favorite actor growing up but he has not a good movie since probably the 1990s. Hopefully Crowley with Brendan Fraser will give Harrison a good supporting role.
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3-06-2009 @ 11:26AM
Monika said...
Okay Keaton fans -- I hope you've all spotted this:
http://www.cinematical.com/2009/03/06/exclusive-the-merry-gentleman-trailer-premiere/
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3-09-2009 @ 4:02PM
Dennis O'Brien said...
I was always a big fan of Frank Whaley. He never spent much time as a leading man, but back in the early 90s, Whaley was one of the most reliable, odd ball supporting actors in Hollywood. In everything from Field of Dreams to Pulp Fiction to his heart-breaking role in Kieth Gordon's totally underrated A Midnight Clear, Whaley is one of my favorite actors. He's also directed one very good film (and one or two bad ones) in Joe the King. He had a small part in World Trade Center, which wasn't very good. This is a guy aching for someone to give him more to do.
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3-09-2009 @ 6:37AM
BenjaminVenegas said...
Helen Hunt.
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