Is it embarassing when a past Chlotrudis Award winner goes the way of the summer blockbuster? Of course not. Actors have to work, and what better way to make some good money and raise their Hollywood profile than by appearing in a mindless summer blockbuster. Just take a look at some of our past “Breakthrough Award” winners.
I’m very excited about Kerry Washington’s upcoming (although I’m sure it’s quite small) role in THE FANTASTIC FOUR. Kerry plays Alicia Master, the blind scluptress who is the Thing’s girlfriend. As we comic book geeks know, it’s cool to be a in a superhero movie… not a sell-out at all. (Apparently she’s also got a small role in MR. & MRS. SMITH – but that’s directed by Doug Liman, so she gets a pass on that one too.) Ms. Washington isn’t slated for anything else after FF, and I suspect she’s working on her co-production with boyfriend David Moscow. Back to her indie roots.
The other Breakthrough Award winner featured prominently in this summer’s slate of films is Scarlett Johanssen. I am a little more concerned about Scarlett’s career trajectory right now. Look for Scarlett opposite Ewan MacGregor in the sci fi/actioner, THE ISLAND (pictured above left). Now this, seems like a serious misstep. We’re not only talking about a big summer action flick… we’re talking about a Michael Bay summer action flick. Michael Bay who was responsible for such dreck as ARMAGEDDON and PEARL HARBOR. Could she have sunk any lower? (Interestingly enough Steve Buscemi also appears in THE ISLAND, of course, he also appeared in ARMAGEDDON so that doesn’t completely excuse him.) I haven’t completely given up on Scarlett, who was becoming such a mature young actress with her star turn in LOST IN TRANSLATION. She’s got a couple of interesting projects in the works: a couple of Woody Allen films (dubious), THE BLACK DAHLIA (James Ellory adaptation directed by Brian dePalma), and a Barry Levinson directed adaptation of an Arthur Miller play. But honestly, Scarlett, Michael Bay? You could have been Sue Storm in THE FANTASTIC FOUR.