With the release of Thor: Love and Thunder dominating the movie landscape of summer 2022, it's easy to forget that its star, Chris Hemsworth, wasn't well-known until he took up Thor's hammer in 2011. It's just one example of how a single role can propel an underrated actor into superstardom in a short space of time.
That means there are a ton of amazing actors still just one movie away from becoming household names and, if anyone can help identify who these are, it's the movie buffs of Reddit. These are the actors who they believe are extremely close to a real breakthrough.
Rebecca Hall
Having made her television debut at the age of just 10, Rebecca Hall has since starred in a wide variety of movies and television shows, including some pretty big titles like The Prestige, Transcendence, and Godzilla vs. Kong. Despite that, she's managed to slip under the radar somewhat, which Redditor Mr_pb_hole lamented, saying "Rebecca Hall should be A list".
Hall's work has been so extensive that she even had a part in the MCU, playing Maya Hansen in Iron Man 3, without quite managing to become a huge star herself. In 2021, she applied her talents to movie directing with the acclaimed Passing but many will be awaiting her next starring role as an actor so that she can finally get the recognition she deserves.
Walton Goggins
A character actor with a recognizable face and an extensive CV, it may surprise a lot of fans to know that Walton Goggins has starred in multiple Academy Award-winning movies, including Lincoln and the short film The Accountant. In contrast to actors who play the same character in every film, versatility is one of Walton Goggins' greatest strengths.
This didn't go unnoticed by Redditors, one of whom wrote, "The man can play a serious dramatic role and a comedic role like it's nothing," before expressing hope that he "doesn't get type casted as an ignorant southerner his entire career." It would definitely be a shame if such a flexible actor were limited to one kind of role so many would rather see Goggins become a huge star in his own right.
Idris Elba
Whilst it's undeniable that Idris Elba is already a superstar actor, Reddit agreed that he's one who's still an incredible movie away from reaching his true potential. User couches12 explains the reasoning behind including the British actor, commenting that so far "his best roles were for tv and his movies have been pretty meh".
Though he's played many iconic roles and produced a ton of amazing quotes, it is noticeable that a lot of his most acclaimed work, especially in The Wire and Luther, was for television. The actor has featured in a ton of huge movies, however, including providing the voice of Knuckles in this year's Sonic 2, but many suspect a huge, iconic role like James Bond could take him to the next level.
Simu Liu
As the star of an MCU movie, it's only right that Simu Liu should be one of the biggest actors in the world by now. However, that hasn't quite materialized despite a positive response to last year's Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings, in which his acting was one of the things most praised.
Redditor super_sayanything explains why they're still waiting for his true breakthrough, suggesting that "Simu Liu's best is ahead of him." Indeed, many felt that the Canadian actor really shined whilst acting in the sitcom Kim's Convenience, and, since it's clear he can apply his talents to comedic or dramatic acting, his true rise to stardom may have just begun.
Ruth Negga
Despite having been nominated for Best Actress at the Oscars and the equivalent at the Tony's, it's perhaps her television work in AMC's Preacher that Ruth Negga is most known for. A tremendous talent, the Irish actor's work in Loving is another great display of just how good she can be when put in a lead role.
Redditor CuriousMonster9 is surprised she isn't a household name already, writing, "I thought she’d blow up with Passing. Still disappointed about that." Whilst the Rebecca Hall-directed drama didn't launch her to the heights she deserves, there's no doubt she'll get more chances to show the world what she can do and any could be the one to finally get her there.
Angourie Rice
Transforming from a child star into a household name as an adult can be a tough task and not one that many manage to pull off. However, Reddit wouldn't bet against the Australian actress Angourie Rice doing just that in the coming years. Though she's already some of the way there, playing Betty Brant in the MCU Spider-Man movies, many think she still has more to come.
One Redditor summed up their feelings by writing, "I'd like to see her in a quality movie, not as a child/teen, and see what happens." She might not have been one of the best child actors ever but she definitely showed enough talent in movies like The Nice Guys to make her an actor no one should write off.
Dan Stevens
Dan Stevens is an actor that tends to be relegated to smaller roles in movies whereas he shines when starring at the forefront of TV dramas, and many think it's time that was corrected. In a sense, he already did have a starring role in a huge blockbuster as the Beast in 2017's Beauty and the Beast but, as much of his contribution was through motion capture, it didn't quite make him a household name.
Redditor callmemacready is one of the fans who rate his talent far beyond the public perception, commenting they "think if he had done more bigger roles he would be the next Bond for sure". Whilst any charming British actor often gets these kinds of comments, with how good Stevens has been in shows like Downton Abbey and Legion, Stevens could have a real claim.
LaKeith Stanfield
Despite only being 30, the CV of actor and musician LaKeith Stanfield is so full of critically acclaimed movies that it's almost unbelievable he's not more well-known. This is something that Redditor Small-Explorer7025 acknowledges whilst putting forward the American, writing, "He is in some good movies, but he is not as big as he should be."
Stanfield picked up an Academy Award nomination for Best Supporting Actor only last year thanks to his incredible performance as Bill O'Neal in Judas and the Black Messiah but many on Reddit were betting that a lot more is to come from him. As several pointed out, Stanfield has already more than shown his talent, it's only a big commercial hit that's still needed to make him a true household name.
Ben Foster
For no particular reason, extremely talented actors sometimes end up being given supporting roles again and again, something which many Redditors thought was a shame in the case of Ben Foster. Redditor HolidayHowlett went as far as to claim the actor is "criminally under utilized in cinema and it bothers me."
While Foster has had some starring roles, the movies have tended to be disappointing due to reasons outside of Foster's control such as X-Men: The Last Stand, which isn't an X-Men movie that's aged well. Given his impressive performance in the thriller Hell or High Water, Foster does have the talent and Redditors hope it's only a matter of time before it shows.
Patrick Wilson
When it comes to actors just one great movie away from making a name for themselves, Patrick Wilson stands out the most for Redditors. User Owls_in_pants explains why, acknowledging that, though the actor is somewhat well-appreciated in film circles, he "is thiiiiis close to being a big star".
The American actor has been in a ton of movies throughout his career, including some less good ones like this year's unfortunate box-office flop Moonfall, but a standout leading role still evades the scene-stealing Wilson. For now, the actor seems content to take smaller roles in blockbusters so it will be interesting to see whether he can prove Reddit right.