“The Jeremy Rennaissance” and Other Actor Fads that Faded

Remember when Jeremy Renner was in every action movie between the years 2011-2015? How about when Jai Courtney was in every action movie between 2015-2017? Or when it was Taylor Kitsch from 2009-2011? These people have all been a part of their own actor fad in their own respect.

Every few years Hollywood drafts a new up and comer to be their go-to action star, and every few years that star fails to live up to the studio hype. In case you’ve forgotten who these individuals were, I’ve made a list of them for your viewing pleasure. Before we begin, not all of these individuals disappeared entirely from Hollywood’s A-list, but they certainly aren’t as easily found in leading roles these days.

Beware of puns galore in the following article.

#10: The Jeremy Rennaissance: Jeremy Renner

Image via Statistic Brain

Best Role(s): Hawkeye (Marvel Cinematic Universe), William Brandt (Mission: Impossible Franchise), Corey Lambert (Wind River), Sgt. James (The Hurt Locker)

Roles He’d Rather Forget: Hawkeye (Marvel Cinematic Universe), Hansel (Hansel and Gretel: Witch Hunters), Aaron Cross (The Bourne Legacy)

My Favorite Line of Dialogue: “The city is flying, we’re fighting an army of robots and I have a bow and arrow. None of this makes sense.”– Hawkeye, Avengers: Age of Ultron

Where Is He Now? That’s the question, isn’t it. Renner was suspiciously absent from both Infinity War and Mission: Impossible – Fallout. My guess is that he’s still running from his friends in the thirty year game of tag in which he’s never been caught.

His career has spanned from 1995- Present. He served as Hollywood’s Actor Fad from 2011-2015.

#9: Hollywood “Courts” Jai Courtney

Image via Variety

Best Role(s): Captain Boomerang (Suicide Squad), Cup (Unbroken)

Roles He’d Rather Forget: Captain Boomerang (Suicide Squad), Gideon (I, Frankenstein), Eric (Divergent Franchise)

My Favorite Line of Dialogue: “Hey, well, you know what they say about the crazy ones.”- Captain Boomerang, Suicide Squad

Where is He Now? I don’t know. What I do know is that like a boomerang, Jai Courtney will always come back.

His career has spanned from 2008- Present. He served as Hollywood’s Actor Fad from 2015-2016.

#8: Is he Worthington of Your Attention? (Sam Worthington)

Image via the Telegraph

Best Role(s): Jake Sully (Avatar), Perseus (Clash of the Titans), Guy Cotter (Everest)

Roles He’d Rather Forget: Perseus (Wrath of the Titans), Marcus Wright (Terminator Salvation)

My Favorite Line of Dialogue: “I see you.” -Jake Sully, Avatar

Where is He Now? Why is this a question? Literally everyone saw Avatar. And since everyone saw Avatar, everyone should also know that he is living it up on Pandora in his new body.

His career has spanned from 2000- Present. He served as Hollywood’s Actor Fad alongside Taylor Kitsch from 2009-2012.

#7: Gemma Arterton: A Diamond in the Rough (Does this count as a gem pun?)

Image via Harper’s Bazaar

Best Role(s): Strawberry Fields (Quantum of Solace), Io (Clash of the Titans)

Roles She’d Rather Forget: Princess Tamina (Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time), Gretel (Hansel and Gretel: Witch Hunters)

My Favorite Line of Dialogue: “Prince”- Princess Tamina, Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time. Arterton says this word at the end of almost every line of dialogue

Where is She Now? Repeatedly jamming the button on top of the magic dagger that rewinds time, hoping it’ll take her back in time to make better career decisions.

Her career has spanned from 2007- Present. She served as Hollywood’s Actress Fad from 2008-2013.

#6: Hollywood Gets Kitschy: Taylor Kitsch

Image via Variety

Best Role(s): Michael P. Murphey (Lone Survivor), David Koresh (Waco)

Roles He’d Rather Forget: Gambit (X-Men Origins: Wolverine), John Carter (John Carter), Lt. Alex Hopper (Battleship)

My Favorite Line of Dialogue: “Do I owe you money?… Then Remy LeBeau, I am.” – Gambit, X-Men Origins: Wolverine

Where is He Now? He’s being hunted down by Channing Tatum for the right to play Gambit. Winner gets a fresh contract for the character under Disney’s Fox acquisition.

His career has spanned from 2006- Present. He served as Hollywood’s Actor Fad alongside Sam Worthington from 2009-2012.

#5: “Where is Harvey Dent?”: Aaron Eckhart

Image via Hollywood Reporter

Best Role(s): Harvey Dent/ Two-Face (The Dark Knight)

Roles He’d Rather Forget: The Monster (I, Frankenstein), President Asher (The Has Fallen Franchise)

My Favorite Line of Dialogue: “You either die the hero, or you live long enough to see yourself become the villain.”- Harvey Dent, The Dark Knight

Where is He Now? Based on the above quote, I assume he either died the hero or he lived long enough to see himself become the villain. Having been one of seven people to have seen the film I, Frankenstein during its theatrical run, I know that he lived long enough to see himself become the villain. Therefore, it can be concluded that Eckhart has abandoned his role as Actor fad in hopes of achieving world domination.

His career has spanned from 1992- Present. He tried to continue his two-faced legacy from 2008-2014.

#4: Brendan Fraser: The Mummy Departs

Image via GQ

Best Role(s): Rick O’Connell (The Mummy and The Mummy Returns), Damien Drake (Looney Tunes: Back In Action), Ben Sullivan (Scrubs)

Roles He’d Rather Forget: Rick O’Connell (The Mummy: Tomb of the Dragon Emperor) Sgt. Stone (G.I. Joe: The Rise of Cobra)

My Favorite Line of Dialogue: “I only gamble with my life, never my money.”- Rick O’Connell, The Mummy

Where is He Now? Last I saw he was trolling Tom Cruise’s The Mummy and appearing in “Where Are They Now?” magazine articles.

Image via Fraser’s Official Instagram

His career has spanned from 1991- Present. He served as Hollywood’s lengthiest Actor Fad alongside  from 1999-2013.

#3: “As If” She Was Hollywood’s Next Queen: Alicia Silverstone

Image via ABC News

Best Role(s): Cher Horowitz (Clueless)

Roles She’d Rather Forget: Barbara Wilson/ Batgirl (Batman & Robin), Heather Jasper Howe (Scooby-Doo 2: Monsters Unleashed)

My Favorite Line of Dialogue: “Read a book, sister. That passive-aggressive number went out years ago.”- Batgirl, Batman & Robin

Where is She Now? She is actually Tim Blake Nelson, as anyone who has seen Scooby-Doo 2 would know. That being said, she’s working on several upcoming films, including the Coen Brothers’ The Ballad of Buster Scruggs.

Her career has spanned from 1992- Present. He served as Hollywood’s Actress Fad from 1995-1997.

#2: Discount Charlie Sheen: Emilio Estevez

Image via Variety

Best Role(s): Two-Bit (The Outsiders), Andrew Clark (The Breakfast Club), Billy the Kid (Young Guns I and II), Jack (Mission: Impossible)

Roles He’d Rather Forget: Gordon Bombay (The Mighty Ducks)

My Favorite Line of Dialogue: “We’re all pretty bizarre. Some of us are just better at hiding it, that’s all.”- Andrew Clark, The Breakfast Club

Where is He Now? Drinking tiger blood with his brother, Charlie Sheen.

His career has spanned from 1973- Present. He served as Hollywood’s go-to Brat Packer from 1983-1996.

#1: Losing “Heat”: Val Kilmer

Image via People.com

Best Role(s): Chris Knight (Real Genius), Iceman (Top Gun), Jim Morrison (The Doors), Doc Holiday (Tombstone), Chris Shiherlis (Heat)

Roles He’d Rather Forget: Bruce Wayne/ Batman (Batman Forever), Nick Rivers (Top Secret!)

My Favorite Line of Dialogue: “You can be my wing-man anytime.”- Iceman, Top Gun

Where is He Now? Holding out for the Top Gun sequel, hoping it will bring him back to his 90’s level of stardom.

His career has spanned from 1984- Present. He served as Hollywood’s Actor Fad from 1985-1995.

Thank you for reading! What are you thoughts on top 10 Actor Fads that Faded? Did we miss any? Comment down below!

If you enjoyed this article, subscribe to MovieBabble via email to stay up to date on the latest content.

Join MovieBabble on Patreon so that new content will always be possible.

What movie topic should I discuss next? Whether it be old or new, the choice is up to you!