They may be almost forgotten now, but these actors and actresses are primed to strut back
into the spotlight.
Listen up, Hollywood agents: this list could make you very rich.
Brendan Fraser
It's hard to believe now, but there was a period in Hollywood history when Brendan Fraser
was a bankable movie star thanks to the Mummy franchise, which grossed well over $350 million
in the States alone.
That success also allowed Fraser to land roles in critically acclaimed films such as the
Academy Award-winning film Gods and Monsters and the Oscar-nominated movie The Quiet American.
So what happened?
Unfortunately, Fraser followed up with a lot of poor roles.
By 2010, he'd lost whatever credibility his earlier success had earned him.
That's a shame because there's a certain innocent, likable charm to Fraser.
All he needs are a few out-of-left-field roles in indies and his career could quickly get
back on track.
Seann William Scott
His resume may not include the best movies ever made, but, even during low points like
Dude, Where's My Car?, Seann William Scott proved he has a natural gift for making people
laugh and going to great lengths to make a joke work.
The problem for Scott is that Hollywood seems to have grown up without him.
Much like his American Pie character Stifler, Scott comes off looking like that popular
football player who still reminisces about the good ol' days of high school.
"The real Steve Stifler."
"Hi."
For his comeback to work, he needs to either play up that persona ironically, or find a
more mature director who can mix multiple layers of comedy with a dash of grown-up drama.
If Scott could make one of those work, he'd be back and better than ever.
"I got muy importante work I’ve got to do here, so let’s try to keep it down.
Mm’kay?"
Taylor Lautner
It may sound ridiculous to refer to a twenty-something actor as "washed-up," but in the four long
years since the Twilight Saga ended in 2012, it's become difficult to look at Taylor Lautner
without thinking, "Wait…he's still alive?"
Lautner should take a cue from Twilight co-star Kristen Stewart playbook and take risky, offbeat
roles that allow him to focus on his craft.
He might not be a star anymore, but he still has time to become a respected actor.
Jim Carrey
Given how hard he made us laugh in the '90s, it's downright painful to be reminded that
Jim Carrey barely works anymore.
It's especially sad to think the last movie he made was Dumb and Dumber To.
The question with Carrey is whether he even wants to be a star anymore, as he now spends
most of his time painting and studying philosophy.
Jim, come back!
We can only rewatch the Cuban Pete scene from The Mask so many times before we start to
crave something new.
Tobey Maguire
For reasons too insane to discuss, Hollywood seems to be kinder to men than it is to women
after age 40.
Now that Tobey Maguire fits the bill, we can't think of a better time for him to regain his
mojo.
Between the Spider-Man franchise and prestige movies like The Cider House Rules, Maguire
has already proven himself to be successful in films big and small.
With that kind of track record, we have a feeling audiences would take him back with
open arms.
Sure, he'd have to play Uncle Ben instead of Peter Parker this time around, but hey,
whatever it takes to get Maguire back on-screen.
Cameron Diaz
Cameron Diaz probably came this close to getting an Oscar nomination for her role in Being
John Malkovich back in 1998.
That movie alone—not to mention her great comedic work in My Best Friends Wedding—was
proof she can hit a homerun.
Sadly, few of her follow-up movies have required Diaz to perform at that level.
Even worse, she's now at an age where she can no longer play the cutesy, bubbly roles
that initially made her famous.
What's a girl to do?
Well, she may want to ask Charlize Theron, who used roles like Aileen Wuornos in Monster
and Furiosa in Mad Max: Fury Road to transform from Hollywood glam to serious badass.
Whether or not Diaz has that kind of range remains to be seen, but we'd love to see her
get the chance.
Lindsay Lohan
Oh, Lindsay.
The former Disney star has actually tried to make several comebacks and torpedoed them
all, quitting or getting fired from films like The Edge of Love and disappearing during
filming for Prairie Home Companion.
We have a plan, though.
“I have a brilliant, beyond brilliant idea."
Our advice to Lindsay: give it a few more years.
By then, she'll be in her early thirties—around the same age that Drew Barrymore, another
former troubled child star, was when she made her comeback with The Wedding Singer.
If Lohan can find the right role at the right time, audiences may be willing to forgive
and forget.
Well, at least forgive.
Nicolas Cage
Maybe it's all the '90s nostalgia talking, but audiences may finally be ready to take
Nicolas Cage seriously again.
"No!"
To do so would demand a real effort from ticket-buyers, lest we forget some of the movies Cage has
headlined over the last 10 years, but it's... not impossible to imagine?
"The only thing standing here between you and the Rider is me.
And he’s just…
He’s just…"
Cage already experienced a comeback of sorts once, when he earned an Oscar nomination for
Spike Jonze's Adaptation way back in 2002.
If that kind of role came along again, who's to say Cage wouldn't rise to the occasion?
"Oh no!
No, not the bees!"
Okay.
Maybe not.
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