missvalentina

This will be a discussion thread about Orlando’s career. Because this will be a serious discussion, there are a few rules that need to be followed:

1. If you want to post, you must contribute to the conversation.
Do not simply agree or disagree with what others have said. State why (or why not) and add your own opinion.

2. Be respectful of each other.
If you don’t agree with what someone has said, do not attack the poster. Instead, rebut their argument with one of your own.

Now, on to the fun stuff

Orlando has been blessed with a meteoric rise in Hollywood. He went from nobody to somebody in the space of one film: Lord of the Rings. He followed that success with two more critically acclaimed box office successes: Black Hawk Down and Pirates of the Caribbean. But has he reached his peak?

Newton’s theory of relativity states that every action has an equal and opposite reaction. Does Orlando’s meteoric rise in Hollywood mean that he is doomed to an equally meteoric fall? Has it already begun? Or will he beat the odds and achieve film immortality?

supergirlhero

Thanks for the thread, Vali

I think this illusion (or reality) of a fall stems from the fact that he started with such a huge movie. Everything after Lord of the Rings would be like a drop in the ocean. This is also highlighted by the fact that he is playing the lead in his new films, whereas he was only one in a powerhouse cast in LOTR, so the spotlight is definitely on him. The next films are crucial for him: can he act or is he simply another pretty face who got really lucky? Personally, I'm waiting for Haven and Elizabethtown: I want to see him in a contemporary movie that is not The Calcium Kid

+ - ReD - +

i think that he hit stardom way too fast! after lord of the rings he just sky rocketed into the celebrity heartthrob status, and yes sometimes that is a good thing, but other times it can be a killer.

i have yet to see him in something in present time and something that doesnt involve tonnes of violence!!
so as soon as I see something where he has to be truly emotional and show some really true feelings i will come back to this thread.

Sure in Troy, he had to show some emotions towards helen, but i thought he did it fairly badly! but i just think that was because it was the really crappy writing that stopped him from his true potential.

so c'mon orlando, show us your true sensitive side and make me cry!

trash addict

I think the 'fall' is an illusion. He's been working on movie after movie since what, Troy? So we haven't seen him around much. He's made some poor choices (CK, anyone?) but like May, i think we should wait for Haven and Elizabethtown to make any judgements. Not to mention there's a lot of excitement around for KOH, although i reckon he should probably distance himself from the epics a bit.

LittleMilkJug

From what I have seen of Orlando, I dont think he is capable of being an 'all round actor' which is a quality you need to have staying power. Saying that, he hasn't done that many films so I do hope to be pleasantly proved wrong in the future. Like the poster above, I too, thought he wasn't very good in Troy, but then I didn't think much of the whole film. He is wonderful as a sweet romantic lead (POTC) and he was perfect as Legolas, but I would like to see him with a 'meatier' role. I cant wait to see his future films

supergirlhero

Kate, I agree, he did the emotional bit in Troy pretty badly. It looked like he had just one face for a range of emotions.

Katie, I agree with distancing from the epics. Though those will most probably be the best marketing vehicles for him, I would really like him to do smaller, but as LittleMilkJug said, meatier roles.

missvalentina

I agree... most of his previous films have been ensemble pieces, so we really need to see him in a role where he doesnt just fade into crowd.

I'm curious to see how his looks will play into everything. They'll either be his greatest asset (producers might think he can guarantee to have a large fan base to see their film) or his greatest downfall (they wont be able to see past the pretty face to the talent underneath). Johnny Depp managed to get past that, but it took alot of effort on his part.

But what happens when he is no long flavour of the month (or the last three years really)? The fan base will fade away to the next hot young thing, and Orlando wont be able to rest on his laurels anymore. Hopefully he's managed to prove himself by then so he doesnt get passed over for roles.

girl with no name

I think Orlando's fan base has slipped a bit over the past year. He seems to mainly go for the epic movies so we only get to see his fighting skills and not his acting skills. The only time we got to see proper acting skills was in Troy and that didnt come out too well.

The role of Legolas in LOTR got Orlando a massive fan base. I think that he was peoples typical hero. Lots of action and not much acting, which appealed to the audiences as they got to see a gorgeous actor getting down and dirty with the fighting scenes.

Im looking forward to seeing Orlando in Elizabethtown as it isnt action, its a romantic comedy so we get to see some different skills. I think this film will definately determine where Orlando's career will be heading.

LittleMilkJug

Now that Kingdom is coming, I wonder what people think?

supergirlhero

I dunno about Kingdom of Heaven...its another epic. I hope he gets to pull it off nicely.

Nerwen Silimaurë

I think that Elizabethtown will be a crucial move as well. Not only is it out of his usual genre of epics and action films, but he'll have to really prove to us that he can nail a yank accent. I know, I know. Black Hawk Down. But how many times did we hear him speak? We havent really heard anything but the brit accent. That's personally pretty exciting for me. Not to mention that I want to see something other than odd eyebrow movements and a failed attempt at yelling to show emotion.

I tease him because I love him.

Brittmyster

So, I just found this thread and find it interesting. Anyone care to share their thoughts?

I honestly dont see Orli as being a "has-been", in my eyes at least. We've all discussed what a good actor we think he is, and imo, it's not just his looks

I'm glad he's taken the much deserved break, and I'm glad also that he's not one of those actors who just jumps at anything and everything handed to him, ya know? And I mean, he's up on this really high level, and how many actors would've done what he did on the Knocked Up features? I personally think that was really awesome.

I really feel that he's genuine when he says he "falls in love with the script" when he reads one, and doesnt just jump at it cuz it's money. He's got a really great resume right now with all the movies he's been in, and I know it's just gonna get better