We all love a comeback. There’sJohn TravoltainPulp Fiction,Robert Downey Jr.inKiss Kiss Bang Bang,Michael KeatoninBirdman, and, most recently,Brendan FraserinThe Whale.
After years of underwhelming projects (or not working at all), these performers returned to the height of their powers. Redditors recently got together onr/movies, the largest film subreddit, to discuss which stars they would most like to see make a comeback. These actors have been underutilized in recent years, but Redditors think the right project could put them back on top.
10Macaulay Culkin
Few actors are more emblematic of the 1990s thanMacaulay Culkin. His role as Kevin McCallister in theHome Aloneseries catapulted him to child stardom, showing off his mischievous charm and impeccable comedic timing. He similarly combined innocence and cheeky wit in subsequent films,Uncle BuckandMy Girl. He hasn’t acted much since the mid-’90s, but 2003’sParty MonsterandAmerican Horror Story: Double Featureproved him capable of handling edgier roles.
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“For me, I’d love to see Macaulay Culkin,” said userphantom_avenger. “He was such a natural talent in comedy. He had a rough few years […] and is much healthier, has become a father…, and is living a great and stable life. It would be epic and awesome if he decided to make a return!”
9Clive Owen
Clive Owenis a dependable action lead with an underrated dramatic range, with roles spanning from espionage thrillers likeInside Manto historical dramas likeKing Arthur. His best work is probably his performance as Theo Faron inAlfonso Cuarón’s dystopian masterpieceChildren of Men(though he’s also a ton of fun inShoot ‘Em Up).
Unfortunately, over the last decade or so, he’s had few roles that really gave him room to shine:Stephen KingadaptationLisey’s Storywas undercooked, andAmerican Crime StorySeason 3 was lackluster (even if Owen’s turn asBill Clintonwas a highlight).User Islander255also hoped to see Owen in a solid lead role again, saying, “His performances are always amazing.” “He would have made a great James Bond,” addedRedditor Wishart2016.
8Rick Moranis
Rick Moraniswas the preeminent lovable dork of the 1980s, appearing in comedy classics likeGhostbusters,Little Shop of Horrors,Spaceballs, andHoney, I Shrunk the Kids. He stepped back from acting in 1997 to focus on his family and has not appeared in a live-action film since. At one point,Moranis was attached to a TV series rebootofHoney, I Shrunk the Kids, but it’s unclear if this will come to fruition.
“[Moranis] seems like such a great guy, and had an unmatched charisma really seeming to put his heart into his roles,” saiduser -Alter-Reality-.Reddit user ThePronouncerwanted to see him in “Spaceballs 2, but it’s spoofing Marvel movies instead ofStar Wars.”
7Phoebe Cates
Phoebe Catesmay not have starred in that many films, but an outsize number of them were box office smashes or cult classics, likeFast Times at Ridgemont HighandGremlins. It’s been decades since she last appeared in a movie, so it would certainly be fun to her see in a new project. AnotherGremlinsflick, perhaps?
“Seems like she’s happy being out of the industry, just running her boutique,” said oneReddit user. Nevertheless, other Redditors would love to see her in a major role, withuser trose141complaining that “[Cates’s] last credit was a voice role forLego Dimensionsin 2015.”
6Vince Vaughn
“[Vince Vaughn] was everywhere in the aughts!” saidReddit user annajoo1. Indeed, he was one of that decade’s reigning kings of comedy, leading hits likeOld School,Dodgeball,Wedding Crashers, andCouples Retreat. His breakout performance inSwingersis also great and much more restrained, andTrue DetectiveSeason 2 pushed him outside his comfort zone.
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However, the quality and quantity of Vaughn’s output has waned in recent years, with two notable exceptions: his grim, gritty collaborations with directorS. Craig Zahler,Brawl in Cell Block 99, andDragged Across Concrete. “I hope we get a third movie with Vince and Zahler,” saiduser garrisontweed.
5Mira Sorvino
Mira Sorvinodelivered a string of terrific performances in the ’90s:Romy and Michele’s High School Reunion,Mimic, and, of course, her Oscar-winning performance inMighty Aphrodite.
However, it’s been years since Sorvino has been given a project that really lives up to her talents."[Sorvino had] so much promise, then she got blacklisted byHarvey Weinstein," lamenteduser bididonna. Indeed,Peter Jacksonhas said that Weinstein blocked Sorvinofrom consideration in casting.
4Joseph Gordon-Levitt
Joseph Gordon-Levittwas on fire from the late 2000s to mid-2010s:500 Days of Summer,50/50,The Dark Knight Rises,Premium Rush,Looper,Snowden. Since then, he has appeared content with other projects like his collaborative channel HitRecord.
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Still, it would be great to see him as a leading man once again.“I know he is doing mostly what he wants, but I would love to see him back in big movies with great directors,” saiduser Perpete. They may be in luck, as Gordon-Levitt is set to appear in two movies currently in production:Providencewith Lily James, andKiller Heatopposite Shailene Woodley.
3Geena Davis
Geena Davishas several iconic performances under her belt:The Fly,Beetlejuice,The Accidental Tourist(for which she won an Oscar), andThelma & Louise.She can play realistic or over-the-top with equal ease.“I’d love to see more,” said oneuser.
“I really enjoyed her character in the third season ofGlow,” saidRedditor Zachariot88. “She was great in the first season ofThe Exorcist,” addeduser monsieurxander.
2Jennifer Connelly
Jennifer Connellyhas beendelivering memorable performances since the early ’80s, working with an eclectic range of directors, fromDario ArgentotoJim Henson,Darren AronofskytoAng Lee.
Her work inRequiem for a Dreamwas phenomenal, and she rightfully won an Oscar forA Beautiful Mind." I thought [Connelly] might pick up again afterTop Gun!" saiduser annajoo1. “She was great in [theSnowpiercerTV series]. Best performance in it by a mile,” addedRedditor ep29. Connelly’s next project is the upcoming Apple+ sci-fi seriesDark MatteralongsideJoel Edgerton.
1Ben Stiller
In recent years,Ben Stillerhas stepped behind the camera, directing fantastic TV shows likeEscape at DannemoraandSeverance. However, it’s been a while since we’ve seen him really sink his teeth into a major role.
The most recent examples are probably 2016’sZoolander 2andThe Meyerowitz Storiesin 2017. It’s a pity because Stiller is always a pleasure to watch, whether he’s playing a hapless everyman or an exaggerated goofball alaDodgeball. “I’d love to see a return of thatDodgeball/Zoolanderstyle of comedy,” saidRedditor RetroPilky. “I love when [Stiller] plays an asshole in comedies too,” addeduser Grose040791.
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