# 41: Prepare to be amused!

“I initially suspected that I was the reincarnation of Julius Caesar. I soon realized that this couldn't be so as the idea of conquering Europe, or even living there, didn't appeal to me in the slightest. With the exception of a passing infatuation with the music of Michael Jackson, the seven years immediately following my birth were fairly uneventful. Then I decided I wanted to act. So I did.

I joined the local drama group which I attended for about five years. I got my first professional role as the son of MacDuff in Macbeth, when I was 10. I then joined Scottish Youth Theatre and spent six years performing with them. I'm not ashamed. The shows were of a commendable standard and there really was very little nudity. It was at SYT that I was chosen for The Winter Guest. Alan Rickman popped along one day looking for two boys to accompany him to the coldest place on earth, Fife, for two months to make a film. Myself and the suspicious character that is Douglas Murphy were the lucky ones. In 1999 I asked Alan if he knew anyone in London who may be interested in representing me and he put me in touch with Paul Lyon-Maris, his own agent at ICM. We met at his flat in Edinburgh and I apparently met his standards. About a week later I successfully auditioned for Harry Potter. And the rest is history. “

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Indeed, after Harry Potter, Biggerstaff was a revelation in Sean Ellis’ Cashback. He was so natural and so amusing in his role, no wonder he’s one of the UK’s most promising emerging talents.

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# 40: The youngest in the top50 hotlist, French teen actor Jean Baptiste Maunier has an acting resume a lot of older actors would envy.

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As Pierre Morhange, Jean Baptiste Maunier captured the hearts of Parisians in the highly successful Les Choristes (The Choir). Directed by Christophe Barratier, the film is about a passionate music teacher who arrives at a correctional boarding school for boys and transforms their lives through music. Maunier plays the rebellious Morhange who pretends to be a young devil but sings like an angel. The movie also paved the way for Maunier to secure further interesting movie roles, among them Le Grand Meaulnes, with another top French talent Nicolas Duvauchelle.

Young Maunier's talent is not limited to playing roles in period films. He also played it cool in last year's French comedy, Hellphone.

Definitely one of France’s most promising young actors, expect fireworks from this talented guy!

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# 39: Even before Across the Universe or Becoming Jane, Joe Anderson is a wanted man - he’s a stage actor! Says Nathan Southern:

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“When British actor Joe Anderson debuted on screen in the mid-2000s, he immediately evinced a predilection for seeking out supporting roles in the most conceptually interesting and dynamic material available to him. Anderson's chosen projects - which spanned a wide variety of genres - never felt less than arresting. These included the Agnieszka Holland Beethoven biopic Copying Beethoven (2006), Julie Taymor's much-anticipated Beatles drama Across the Universe (2007) and the critically-praised biopic of punk rocker Ian Curtis, Control (2007).”

We @tMF believe Mr. Anderson is destined for more leading roles and while he’s good at being part of the supporting cast, it’s about time he took first billing to further impress his growing audience.

With Ruins and Three Words and a Star, he’s certainly on the right track.

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# 38: Re-emerging as a young actor, Tom Sturridge returned to the big screen by capturing roles in a number of recent releases - Vanity Fair, Brothers of the Head, Being Julia and the film that gives him the most buzz nowadays, Like Minds.

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As the young Georgy in Vanity Fair, he took to the role with much gusto, playing a spoiled, impressionable young boy who gave up his mother and settled in with his rich grandparents. Jonathan Rhys-Meyers played his father and although there are no scenes involving the two directly, he managed to act exactly like a younger version of the Rhys-Meyers character - a conniving, selfish man with little or no concern for the people who love him.

In Being Julia, his role as the son of aging stage diva Julia Lambert (played by Annette Benning) brought him much notice and subsequently allowed the young actor to explore more roles to his liking.

In Like Minds, Tom played opposite fellow young actor Eddie Redmayne and the multi-talented Toni Collette. The psychological thriller was hailed by critics as a great vehicle for both young actor and one which gave them a chance to further their careers.

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# 37: Talent runs in the family. That would seem quite appropriate in describing Max Minghella's background. With an Oscar-winning director as Dad (Anthony Minghella), and a Chinese choreographer as Mom (Carolyn Choa), Max seems to have a bright future in the entertainment industry.

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"With a famous name, you have to work that much harder to get the part," says Minghella in an interview.

Notwithstanding his genes, the young college student is making headway on his own. Take a look at his recent work: In Syriana, he plays George Clooney's son, while in Bee Season, he is Richard Gere's favored sibling, until his young sister wins the spelling bee and he gets relegated to the background. Bee Season marks a turning point for Minghella as it led to a more prominent role in Art School Confidential.

His last film is one of festival circuit’s favorites, Elvis and Annabelle.

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# 36: You probably remember him as one of the leads in History Boys, but Dominic Cooper seems to have graduated from playing teen roles and is now taking on the challenge of more mature and controversial ones.

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In The Duchess, Cooper shares the screen with Keira Knightley and Ralph Fiennes. In Mama Mia, he's been cast alongside such greats as Meryl Streep, Julie Walters, Stellan Skarsgård and Pierce Brosnan. But how did he started acting?

"With a glint in his eye, Dominic Cooper says his career choice was a no-brainer: "I started [acting] when I was in school because it was the only way I could continue on and do my A-levels, the prerequisite tests for applying to college in the U.K. I wasn't very good academically. I think they wanted rid of me," he says good-naturedly. "The bad eggs generally get booted to not look bad on the league tables," the British school system's progress reports based on students' success. "But then the drama department persuaded the head that we needed an emcee in Cabaret and I was the only person who could do it. So I had to act!"

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# 35: Yes, he's that guy from Stardust and no, he's not Charlie Cox, the one who gets to play romantic with Claire Danes. He played a teeny weenie part, but undeniably, the young actor has screen presence - the very reason why he was chosen to play Prince Caspian in the next Chronicles of Narnia movie.

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His name is Ben Barnes. Says UGO:

"Despite his lead status, Prince Caspian isn't the first larger than life project for Ben Barnes. The up-and-coming 26-year-old actor has already appeared in this year's fantasy trip Stardust, and will soon grace the screen in the European drama Bigga Than Ben. After an extensive search for the role of Prince Caspian, Barnes beat out thousands of hopefuls to land one of the sweetest gigs in Hollywood."

Barnes was supposedly part of the History Boys play but due to the filming of Narnia, he opted out of his contract to concentrate on the movie.

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“Mike was great! Believe it or not I met him only one week before the shooting (we had a very tight schedule), and we worked hard together because it’s not easy to get such a difficult acting performance: five different lives, with different emotions and a strong crescendo... and he did it amazingly,” says director Dario Piana.

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# 34: The movie is The Deaths Of Ian Stone and it’s a surprisingly good horror flick that you may have missed, if not you’ll certainly agree with me about Vogel and his awesome performance. He has an amazing screen presence and while he’s been cast mostly in horror/thriller flicks, I’m sure he’ll do just fine playing more serious, dramatic roles.

Vogel was a former male model before venturing into acting. Roles in television paved the way for a number of interesting and high-profile roles on films, including The Texas Chainsaw Massacre, The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants, Grind, Poseidon, and Cloverfield.

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# 33: Roles that involved singing and acting would probably be one of the most challenging for actors today. It’s quite hard to be good at both. Not every good-looking actor who wanted to play the leading man can sing. There are just a few who can sing and act incredible: James Marsden, Joe Anderson, Zac Efron, and Sturgess.

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In Julie Taymor’s Across the Universe, Sturgess is Jude, a character as much inspired by the Beatles as the movie itself. From London to his journey in America, Sturgess plays the role perfectly - he can be funny and amusing, romantic and fearless, serious and determined. There is also a fantastic chemistry between the actor and his co-star Evan Rachel Wood.

Speaking of the pair, Julie Taymor mentioned the names of the two people she desperately wants as her stars in Spider-Man musical - Jim Sturgess as Peter Parker and Evan Rachel Wood as Mary Jane. When asked about the pairing, Taymor said, "Jim's certainly interested, but his film career has taken off, so I have to nab him between movies. Same with Evan. They'd be my ideal pairing, though, if they're free."

Latest Movies: An impressive supporting part in The Other Boleyn Girl is to be followed by Sony Pictures’ 21, where he plays one of the leads.

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" I always think it's better to take a smaller role in a great film rather than a leading role in something that you don't have complete faith in," Hunnam was quoted as saying.

# 32: Just like the other young actors we have chosen for the list, Charlie Hunnam's talent is undisputed and we look forward to seeing more of him portraying serious, notable roles in cutting-edge films.

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Aside from the lead role in the film adaptation of the Dickens' classic Nicholas Nickleby, Hunnam starred as Nathan Maloney, a young gay teen in the TV series 'Queer as Folk'. The controversial role provided the young actor with a unique opportunity to showcase his talent and with the tremendous success of the series, he has become quite a celebrity. Together with Elijah Wood, Hunnam also worked with director Lexi Alexander for the film 'Green Street'. The film about football fans has been the subject of debate as some critics complained of the film's depiction of violent scenes as being 'too graphic'. Hunnam, who admitted to not having attended any football games, is quite philosophical about the whole issue. He commented: “...one of the most incredible things about being an actor (is) - the opportunity to have access to a world that, ordinarily, you would never be allowed into.”

With a supporting but notable role in Children of Men, Hunnam has stuck to his words about choosing films and scripts. No matter how small his part, its the significance of the film that matters.

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# 31: Jo Walker sums up the young Canadian actor in this wonderful and insightful introduction:

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Kevin Zegers is good-looking. That wholesome, all-American, Tom Cruise kind of good-looking normally found only in Tommy Hilfiger adverts and made-for-TV Hallmark movies. Except that he's not American. He doesn't want to be Tom Cruise. And the role that saved his career was anything but family-friendly. Clocking up more than 50 film and TV roles since the tender age of six, Zegers - a native of Ontario, Canada - found himself all acted out at age 20. Unemployed and uninspired, he was just about to call it quits when along came a little flick called Transamerica. Playing a bisexual hustler to Felicity "Desperate Housewives" Huffman's pre-op transsexual was a watershed moment, Zegers says.

That role made people realize that Zegers has a lot more to offer than just playing teeny-bopper roles. He won the 2006 Cannes Film Festival Chopard Award, which is given to promising young actors for that breakthrough role.

After Transamerica, Kevin’s career got stronger and stronger, with a number of roles putting the actor in the spotlight. The Jane Austen Book Club, Normal, Antique and Caitlin, are among his most recent movies.

- - - The top 30 coming up! - - -

Comments (78)

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allowing visitors to vote and take part!
written by jedmed, January 29, 2008

we're trying to figure out how visitors can vote, since it will take 50 names, and more so...it seems many want to have this voting feature.

oh, boards for some of the guys at the top 10 are getting lots of buzz, that's cool!

thanks for this
written by louise, February 18, 2008

it was really fun! Yay Ryan!!

Daniel!
written by danielbruehlfan, February 18, 2008

Wow Daniel made a big leap from 11 to number 2!!! Daniel has a lot of fans but we are quite silent and under the radar!

Updated Photos?
written by danielbruehlfan, February 20, 2008

Hi, I just want to ask when will be the updated photos of the top 30 be posted? Daniel fans including me are so excited!

Daniel rules!
written by jed, February 20, 2008

we're also very excited! It took us more time than expected coz we are doing all the 50 names, and choosing the best photo for each of them, hence the delays!

But I'm pretty sure you'll love Daniel's part on the updated post!

...
written by danielbruehlfan, February 20, 2008

I'll wait Anyway, I am the most active admin of the www.danielbruhl.com website... Agnes knows that, I find every news and photos of Daniel first! Daniel even said to me on his email that he is afraid of me cause I find things, photos about him which he never saw or knew all his life! He's very sweet on his emails! He wrote to the site almost ten times already!

...
written by Jan, February 20, 2008

As Jed mentioned, were just as excited to see what the final outcome will be and placement of the numerous great actors and favs of ours and everyone's as well! Thanks for the comments and for stopping by danielbruehlfan....

I'm hoping that Jake Gyllenhaal will still also be in the top 10, or even moved up a bit. Woo hoo for Ryan Gosling!

Everyone's interest has been great, and great to see all the different devoted fans for many of the great actors out there at the moment.

That's so great to hear danielbruehlfan, that Daniel himself appreciates your interest in acquiring info on him for his site. Not many actors would go out of their way like that. It's always nice to see an actor show his appreciation like that.

As Jed said, our updated list and accompanying pics will be posted here very soon so please come back and visit, and thanks for your patience.

...
written by danielbruehlfan, February 22, 2008

I hope Jim Sturgess made it good in the list too! He's like the twin brother of Daniel Bruehl, have you notice their resemblance?... I don't know if I like Jim so much because he looks like Daniel or I just simply like him a lot in "Across the Universe"...

Rob Pattinson is Edward Cullen !
written by BloodsuckingLeech, April 04, 2008

Can't wait to see where he places...and so will all the Twilighters who are following this!

VOTE FOR ROB !!!!!!!
written by Sarah_love_Rob, April 04, 2008

Rob should make the TOP HOTTEST YOUNG ACTOR !!!!! Or at LEAST Number 2

Robert Pattinson
written by Daphne, April 04, 2008

Rob Pattinson should be number 1...

...
written by michelle, April 04, 2008

meand my friends L.O.V.E Robert Pattinson and are absolutely excited that he's going to play edward in the best series eva!!! (twilight ofcourse)we even made a moto for him, and that is!

"All The Way With Robert Pattinson"

i cant wait to see where he comes on this poll!!! he should be #1!!!

AHHH JIM!
written by Hillary, April 04, 2008

he's amazing ..should be higher than 33..

*sigh* but yes

ROBERT PATTINSON should be high up there!!

Pattinson?
written by Fati, April 04, 2008

No offense but Pattinson isn't the only guy suited to be #1....
it's really anyone's win
Hayden Christensen should be up there for sure

HOTNESS!!
written by jennifer, April 04, 2008

robert should be in the top 3!!
but don't forget the aboslutetly awesome gaspard ulliel!!!!
oh.. and jesse spencer

ROB ROB ROB
written by miranda, April 04, 2008

Robert should definitely win!
I mean look at him he's hot, talented and the latest awesome actor! For god's sake he's playing Edward Cullen, an adorable, alluring, beautiful, bewitching, captivating, charming, enchanting, engaging, enthralling, enticing, fascinating, fetching, good-looking, gorgeous, handsome, hunk, interesting, inviting, lovely, luring, magnetic, mesmeric, stunning, tantalizing, tempting, piece of man!
Sooooo what else do you need?!

Go Robert!
written by twilightfan, April 04, 2008

Yes! Robert should win!

...
written by AnnaBlume, April 04, 2008

Thanks for updating the list!
When can we expect the next few parts?

Yayy RPattz!!
written by Banana, April 04, 2008

Robert should winnn!!! My Top 3:

1.Robert Pattison
2. Hayden Christensen
3. Gaspard Ulliel

ROBERT PATTINSON!!!
written by Olivia, April 04, 2008

Robert Pattinson should be number one, he is stunning!

robert Pattinson should win
written by Arianna, April 04, 2008

ROBERT PATTINSON ABSOLUTLY.. he is SOOOO HOT

ROBERT PATTINSON
written by Amy, April 04, 2008

There is only one person who could top this list and that is Robert Pattinson, besides playing the hottest vampire alive, that boy is extremely talented and if you've seen some of his other work, you would be as dazzled by him as i am.

...
written by CokeZero, April 04, 2008

Robert Pattinson everybody!!!!!!

ROBERRRRRRRRRRRRT
written by Anika, April 04, 2008

SHOULD/IS #1 if it kills me

:]

for #1...
written by jamison, April 04, 2008

i think robert pattinson should be in the top 3!!!!!!!!!!!

EDWARD CULLEN!
written by blacknwhiterainbows, April 04, 2008

Robert Pattinson and Gaspard Ulliel HAVE to be there!
Too bad Tom Sturridge is up here, because he's a hot Edward too

Robert Pattinson - has the complete package!
written by d-d, April 04, 2008

Robert Pattinson is going to be the break out hit of the holiday movie season. He has charm, brains, brawn and that boy can ACT! He has it all! Should be #1!

Alyssa
written by Alyssa, April 04, 2008

Robert Pattinson for #1, the best Edward Cullen ever

...
written by Jess, April 04, 2008

Robert Pattinson is awesome. He's got it all.

Rob #1.

Robert Pattinson #1!
written by MIRIAM, April 04, 2008

He's hot and sexy aaaand has the acting skills!