A new year calls for a new gang of stars who will conquer Tinseltown’s A-list and cover the glossy gossip magazines. These stars have popped up in our favorite movies over the past few years, but in 2011 they’re on the fast track to break out and become mainstream actors. So much so even your grandma will know their name.
Whether it’s finally moving from the supporting cast to lead roles in multi-million dollar movies, or getting a new TV show, these celebrities are going to create a lot of buzz in 2011.
Andrew Garfield
Following his break-out role in the “Social Network” as Eduardo Saverin, Garfield has been nominated for a Golden Globe award for Best Supporting Actor. Most critics believe that when Oscar noms are released, Garfield will receive a Best Supporting Actor nomination as well, skyrocketing himself and his credibility right to the A-list.
Garfield is also taking over one of Hollywood’s top-grossing franchises, the Spider-Man movies. The 27-year-old Brit will replace Tobey Maguire as Spider-Man in the 2012 reboot, which is being filmed now. From starring in one of this year’s most talked about films, to taking over a major money-making franchise, you can expect to see a lot more of Garfield on and off the big screen.
Whitney Cummings
Whitney Cummings is a comedian who regularly appears on “Chelsea Lately” and Comedy Central’s “Roasts”. She most recently hosted MTV’s New Year’s Eve bash with the Jersey Shore cast and says when it comes to comedy “nothing’s off-limits, but you never want to be mean”. Cummings, a former model and University of Pennsylvania graduate, doesn’t fit the typical bill for female comedians.
Much like her boss, Chelsea Handler, Cummings isn’t afraid to talk about sex, men, and the awkward side of things. She’s teaming up with “Sex and the City” creator Michael Patrick King for a new CBS comedy, “Two Broke Girls”, that will chronicle the less-flattering side of New York dating and life. And if you haven’t already, check out her stand-up special “Money Shot” which aired on Comedy Central, it is hilarious.
Rooney Mara
Rooney Mara can be seen on-screen this year playing Jesse Eisenberg’s girlfriend in “The Social Network”. Mara only had a small role but she stole the scenes she was in, leaving the audience wanting more of the girl Zuckerberg blogged about and got dumped by pre-Facebook fame.
In addition to her role in one of the most talked about films of the year, Mara beat out most of Hollywood’s top young actresses to play the coveted role of Lisbeth Salander in “The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo”. The movie is based on the bestseller which is the first of three novels written by Stieg Larsson. All three books will eventually be turned into movies, boosting Mara from supporting actress to full-blown franchise leading lady.
Emma Stone
From her feature film debut in the much-loved “Superbad” as Jules, to her starring role in this years “Easy A”, Emma Stone has shown she can act and be funny and do it well. Her role in “Easy A” earned her a Golden Globe nomination for Best Actress in a Musical or Comedy, and she has been praised for her performance by critics saying that this movie made her into a star.
Stone has since been cast as Gwen Stacy in the Spider-Man reboot alongside Andrew Garfield, filling Kirsten Dunst’s shoes as Spider-Man’s on-screen love. With upcoming releases “Crazy, Stupid, Love” with Steve Carell, “The Help”, and a role in “Friends with Benefits” starring Mila Kunis and Justin Timberlake, Stone will be gracing you with her presence on the big-screen a lot in 2011.
Alex Pettyfer
The 20-year-old British actor is probably best known at the moment for dating Dianna Agron, of Glee fame, but that’s sure to change in 2011. With two movies slated to come out in February and March, “I am Number Four” and “Beastly”, we will all be able to pronounce his last name correctly soon enough. He’s currently filming “Now” with Olivia Wilde, Amanda Seyfried, and Justin Timberlake.
And it doesn’t hurt that he’s extremely handsome and has an accent, now does it.
