I agree with the first post. Ryan has already started the takeover! James McAvoy is too serious an actor to be relegated to RomCom. The same for Ryan Gosling - he is a romantic lead, but in a more serious vein. Bradly, Channing, Chris and Jake have all shown to be good in many genres, so again can't commit them to just one. NPH and JGL seem to do their best in more indie type pics. Zac is still too young to be a RomCom lead, unless it's geared towards teens. The rest I haven't paid much attention to, so don't have much of an opinion.
Thank you for giving us the opportunity to reinforce the stereotype that gay people are ageist. 40 is now the old young; 50 is the young old. Apparently 30 is the top of the hill. Thank goodness that "long in the tooth rule" doesn't apply to AfterElton.com Staff...
A couple of years ago (I would have been 35 or 36), I was sponsoring the GSA at the school where I worked. When a couple of the students made an excessively overt sexual comment and I looked at them askance, they said "Come on, Mr. Doty, you know you did it to when you were younger."
Sigh. That was worse than the student who made a comment and turned beet red, not making fun of me, but genuinely feeling bad because she assumed that I had to be sensitive and mortified about the state of my hairline. Which I was at peace with until that incident.
Second, I really wish you hadn't limited it to movie stars. I'm waiting impatiently for the day when an out gay actor is cast as the lead in a romantic comedy, and there are three who could really do it: Neil Patrick Harris (included in the list, but still), Scott Evans, Matt Bomer (yeah, yeah, we all know). That they're in television shouldn't have excluded them.
Come on! It's just a little fun - McConaughey's done a couple of RomComs that are in essence a joke on the fact that he's getting awfully old to do RomComs - Failure To Launch's entire plot was framed around that.
I, my 37 year-old self, who has a birthday in a couple weeks that he's being forced to celebrate for the first time in years, saw Matthew had a birthday that was a classic right-of-passage, round number we could use to serve you beefcake on a cold Wednesday afternoon. It's tough coming up with new bits to entertain you. And the others worked hard to make it real.
It's not aegist, it's funny. Or it was meant to be. It's passing the torch from Matthew, who's got a kid and doing some more serious roles like We Are Marshall, to another generation. Plus it's highly representative of my own life right now.
As for the TV vs film thing? More just an apples-to-apples thing. You have to pick some bounds with a write in poll, or a bunch of people get one vote each.
The post really wasn't meant to be serious in the slightest.
He might be second or fourth rate but the RomCom is the perfect niche for him. He has shown from his work in Cougar Town that he can do sweet lovable goof and He also plays frat guy jerk pretty well. Isn't that basically the formula - either they are the "good guy" who can't catch a break or the "misogynist bad boy" who falls for the sweet girl with the heart of gold.
I don't know why, but I really really hate Nick Cannon, I hate him with a passion. Really I don't know why everytime I look at him I wanna smack his face.
Anyways for me I'd have to pick any of those that are over 30yo for new king
I think Ryan Reynolds and Ryan Gosling are the best choices, I'm surprised R. Gosling hasn't had more leading roles on blockbuster movies; I like James McAvoy and Joseph Gordon-Levitt, but I don't think they have the mainstream appeal that the other guys on the list have; and I still don't understand why people like Bradley Cooper and Robert Pattinson so much! =/
Why are you surprised? Ryan Gosling seems to enjoy doing smaller indie films. I think he is avoiding most large commercial flicks by choice. After The Notebook, I'm sure he was inundated with scripts for similar romantic leading man roles. However, as his filmography shows, he obviously doesn't like repeating himself.
McConaughey's appeal that is. I mean, yes, he's got muscles but is that alone enough? He's not even pretty-faced, and he's a terrible actor. Also, has he ever made a really good movie?
I really like Bradley Cooper, but Joseph Gordon-Levitt makes movies I enjoy more and he's talented and so smart (that's so sexy!).
Probably Ryan Reynolds will get the crown, pity, because I don't see why everybody is so mad about him either. Any comment on this thread might be potential karma-killer ;)
MM maybe qualifies as a Prince. He's only had 3 hit romcoms in the past 8 yrs or so--no more than Hugh Grant,(who actually might qualify as the royal consort) Tom Hanks, etc...
Studliness is not the secret to a great romcom hero--it might be a bonus, but sometimes it's a hinderance since romcoms are all about 'regular' girls finding the perfect guy--someone superhot/studly and it becomes too hard to suspend disbelief, that's why the hotter the guy the more he has to be tempered with goofiness or some type of flaw.
Which is why Ryan Reynolds (goofy) or Joseph Gordon Levitt(kind of geeky/shy) would be a good fit.
Ryan Reynolds seems to have a lock on this one. I voted for him myself. My thinking is that the rest of these actors have serious careers ahead of them, whereas Reynolds, charming as he is, reminds me of a reject from a Little Lulu cartoon. There, I finally said it.
I personally don't see the appeal of Ryan Reynolds. I admit I haven't actually seen him in a film, since nothing he's done has seemed interesting enough to get me to watch, but whenever I see photos of him, he has no charisma or personality at all. He's just a good-looking guy, standing there.
I voted for Bradley Cooper. Some of the others could slot into certain subgenres. McAvoy would be perfect to pick up Hugh Grant's baton, so to speak, and Efron to take over the Freddie Prinze Jr. teen romcom tradition. We'll have to see how he ages for anything else.
To me, the appeal of Ryan Reynolds goes back long before his current beefy sexiness - I thought he was hysterical in Two Guys, a Girl, and a Pizza Place as Berg. He was fun and mischievous, and had marvelous timing, and at the time, was more than a little geeky. Seeing him hunk up to his fuzzy, sexy self now is a major bonus.
I personally don't see the appeal of Ryan Reynolds. I admit I haven't
actually seen him in a film, since nothing he's done has seemed
interesting enough to get me to watch, but whenever I see photos of
him, he has no charisma or personality at all.
You can tell all that just from still photos? Wow, you're good.
Let me recommend The Nines. It's a superb film in general and RR gets to demonstrate a great acting range. Oh, and it's not a romantic comedy.
What I have seen in still photos is a bland person with no charisma. Usually, with stars I like, when I see shots of them in celebrity magazines and promotional materials, their personality comes through. I have yet to see a photo of RR that couldn't have been shot using some non-actor male model. I've also occasionally seen moving pictures of him in commercials that haven't impressed me any more.
I'm not saying he's a bad actor, since I'm obviously not in a position to judge that. I'm just saying I've never seen the slightest thing that makes me inclined to spend 2 hours finding out what kind of actor he is. And ultimately it's their job to make me want to see their movies, not mine to build a case justifying my disinterest.
Mark Ruffalo: I know he's just over 40, but he's got some romcom cred under his belt already, he's been paired with lots of leading Rom cOm ladies plus some serious acting chops in and around those and he scarcely looks forty and that face just makes my ovaries tremble...
And speaking of which: Much as I love a little midweek stroll down Himbo lane admiring the pectorals courtesy of you kind folks at AE (",), I would have also loved the skinny on what credentials you guys (and gals) thought the above 13 had for the throne of His Royal Romcomness?? I can completely accept a HM Ryan Reynolds, as he's a veritable romcom alumnus, and likewise Bradley Cooper has the looks, physique and gormless charm to romcom it for a while yet.
Even Gosling and the elder Evans have some creditable romcom chops, but Gyllenhall? Really? Can he do comedy? Romantic drama maybe. Efron and Pattinson seem a little too new to the fold to offer them the crown just yet, and James MacAvoy will have to do some hard graft before American et al audiences can comfortably excuse his accent- as only a rare few have ever done in the romcom stakes! (Sorry people, but we all know that American romcoms invariably cast the Brit as a bad guy, and that's a tough habit to break for audiences).. Channing Tatum has the looks to pull it off, but he's such a physical actor and seems so uncomfortable with dialogue (it's like his eyes physically flicker towards the EXIT sign each time he's caught in a conversation on screen)..
Sorry, Forty Years glass ceiling aside, Ruffalo's the guy... _____________________________
"You know when I heard Sandy wanted to write himself into a scene as Queen Cleopatra; I was aroused, and then furious.."
Wait a minute--I seem to have misunderstood something. You're saying that it's an honor to replace Matthew McConaughey as Rom Com King? This isn't a joke?
Honestly. I think we all know (and have stated) that Ryan Reynolds will most likely be said usurper. His recent foray in to Rom-Comedy with Sandra Bullock proves it. Besides, he's a natural comic.
As for the others... Personally I'd have loved to see Chris Evans take the crown. But that's only because I think he's totally hot.
As for Zac Efron and Robert Pattinson... I honestly don't think they need the help (I STILL don't get why people find these little boys so hot), but it's really too early for them to commit career-suicide by falling into the horrific downward-spiral of Rom-Comedy royal status.
Lastly... that first pic of Matthew McConaughey is SO hot. That man can remain the King for a few more years in my book. Age is only a number, after all.
... I don't really see McConaughey as the current rom-com king. It's not like any one guy is really essential to the genre. You can easily slip a Mulroney or a Marsden or a Dempsey or a Vaughan or a Rudd in there; it's the leading woman that's important.
All that said, the implication that McConaughey is over the hill at 40 is the sort of thing I'd expect to read from those bitter, miserable Queerty writers.
"...the implication that McConaughey is over the hill at 40 is the sort of
thing I'd expect to read from those bitter, miserable Queerty writers."
Some folks reading this article are clearly taking things much too seriously. It's not rocket science people! As Ed has said above, it's simply an excuse to post beefcake pics of some of our favourite actors. He has even asked for write-in votes so that more pictures will be posted in the comments section.
Gosling and Gordon Leavitt are superb actors who've done romantic films ("The Notebook" "500 Days of Summer"), but aren't exactly the frothy types who'd do something like "Failure to Launch" or "How To Lose A Guy In 100 Days." Gyllenhall and Macavoy are more fine dramatic actors, though they do partner well with others romantically. Efron is still trying to show his range, Reynolds' comedic peak was with "Van Wilder" almost 10 years ago, Tatum and Evans are too intense, Cannon too self-loving, NPH more of a character actor, and Pattinson needs to be vigorously slapped out of his brooding, unwashed poor-man's-Shelley funk. Cooper is the only one who seems to have the requisite lightness of spirit and sense of fun, yet also be passionate and romantic enough that a relationship has some gravitas. (He's also played gay at least twice, bless his heart, so I'll forgive him for the sour homophobia of "The Hangover.")
I am going out on a limb and picking Joseph Gordon-Leavitt. 100 Days of Summer is my favorite film this year and he is the one who really took it to the next level. The man can act in both drama and comedy comfortabley. Its time for him to be a newer type of romantic lead I think. McConaughy never had the talent, he just played himself. Lets have a leading man who isn't blond and rippled with muscle. Joseph can be our "everyman".
I refuse to vote on this on the specious reason that Mcconaughey can't be a Rom Com King because he's 40. The much better reason is that his hygiene is terrible.
Ryan Reynolds pretty much already has ...
I agree with the first
Rom Com King
Bradley Cooper. He only has a short time to make his mark. Then Ryan Reynolds can take over.
Pattinson?? No way. I do not get his appeal...at all. If he wasn't famous, nobody would give him a second look.
Thanks
Thank you for giving us the opportunity to reinforce the stereotype that gay people are ageist. 40 is now the old young; 50 is the young old. Apparently 30 is the top of the hill. Thank goodness that "long in the tooth rule" doesn't apply to AfterElton.com Staff...
Pope Skippy XVI
Silver threads among the gold
My students think 30 is middle-aged. So it goes.
"The mountain has wings."
Students and Age
True Story:
A couple of years ago (I would have been 35 or 36), I was sponsoring the GSA at the school where I worked. When a couple of the students made an excessively overt sexual comment and I looked at them askance, they said "Come on, Mr. Doty, you know you did it to when you were younger."
Sigh. That was worse than the student who made a comment and turned beet red, not making fun of me, but genuinely feeling bad because she assumed that I had to be sensitive and mortified about the state of my hairline. Which I was at peace with until that incident.
I'm completely ignoring your rules
I voted for Bradley Cooper, but....
As garrison stated, why under 40? Ageist much?
Second, I really wish you hadn't limited it to movie stars. I'm waiting impatiently for the day when an out gay actor is cast as the lead in a romantic comedy, and there are three who could really do it: Neil Patrick Harris (included in the list, but still), Scott Evans, Matt Bomer (yeah, yeah, we all know). That they're in television shouldn't have excluded them.
Failure To Launch?
Come on! It's just a little fun - McConaughey's done a couple of RomComs that are in essence a joke on the fact that he's getting awfully old to do RomComs - Failure To Launch's entire plot was framed around that.
I, my 37 year-old self, who has a birthday in a couple weeks that he's being forced to celebrate for the first time in years, saw Matthew had a birthday that was a classic right-of-passage, round number we could use to serve you beefcake on a cold Wednesday afternoon. It's tough coming up with new bits to entertain you. And the others worked hard to make it real.
It's not aegist, it's funny. Or it was meant to be. It's passing the torch from Matthew, who's got a kid and doing some more serious roles like We Are Marshall, to another generation. Plus it's highly representative of my own life right now.
As for the TV vs film thing? More just an apples-to-apples thing. You have to pick some bounds with a write in poll, or a bunch of people get one vote each.
The post really wasn't meant to be serious in the slightest.
Well, I turn 40 this month...
That Would Be A No To...
Robert,Zac,Nick & Jake. I voted NPH though my true wish is to see John Barrowman(so what if he's 42?!)in a big screen RomCom...with NPH.
"Oh please! It's ten days bitching for every two days bliss with these two." Simone on Roman & Deniz "Alles was Zahlt"/"All That Matters"
He's just turning 40???
Matthew McBongo's appeal has always alluded me
I much prefer Joseph Gordon Levitt
http://bp0.blogger.com/_e3BsDt7_O88/RulISfdc26I/AAAAAAAAJBc/hJyhQ8Ug6Rk/s1600-h/jglnow2-1.jpg
I voted for Nick Zano.
He might be second or fourth rate but the RomCom is the perfect niche for him. He has shown from his work in Cougar Town that he can do sweet lovable goof and He also plays frat guy jerk pretty well. Isn't that basically the formula - either they are the "good guy" who can't catch a break or the "misogynist bad boy" who falls for the sweet girl with the heart of gold.
I don't know why, but
I don't know why, but I really really hate Nick Cannon, I hate him with a passion. Really I don't know why everytime I look at him I wanna smack his face.
Anyways for me I'd have to pick any of those that are over 30yo for new king
The Ryans
probably by choice
I don't get it
McConaughey's appeal that is. I mean, yes, he's got muscles but is that alone enough? He's not even pretty-faced, and he's a terrible actor. Also, has he ever made a really good movie?
I really like Bradley Cooper, but Joseph Gordon-Levitt makes movies I enjoy more and he's talented and so smart (that's so sexy!).
Probably Ryan Reynolds will get the crown, pity, because I don't see why everybody is so mad about him either. Any comment on this thread might be potential karma-killer ;)
No King
MM maybe qualifies as a Prince. He's only had 3 hit romcoms in the past 8 yrs or so--no more than Hugh Grant,(who actually might qualify as the royal consort) Tom Hanks, etc...
Studliness is not the secret to a great romcom hero--it might be a bonus, but sometimes it's a hinderance since romcoms are all about 'regular' girls finding the perfect guy--someone superhot/studly and it becomes too hard to suspend disbelief, that's why the hotter the guy the more he has to be tempered with goofiness or some type of flaw.
Which is why Ryan Reynolds (goofy) or Joseph Gordon Levitt(kind of geeky/shy) would be a good fit.
Let it please be him, oh, dear God, it must be him
Ryan Reynolds seems to have a lock on this one. I voted for him myself. My thinking is that the rest of these actors have serious careers ahead of them, whereas Reynolds, charming as he is, reminds me of a reject from a Little Lulu cartoon. There, I finally said it.
"The mountain has wings."
RomCom King
I personally don't see the appeal of Ryan Reynolds. I admit I haven't actually seen him in a film, since nothing he's done has seemed interesting enough to get me to watch, but whenever I see photos of him, he has no charisma or personality at all. He's just a good-looking guy, standing there.
I voted for Bradley Cooper. Some of the others could slot into certain subgenres. McAvoy would be perfect to pick up Hugh Grant's baton, so to speak, and Efron to take over the Freddie Prinze Jr. teen romcom tradition. We'll have to see how he ages for anything else.
I loved young Reynolds
the appeal of Ryan Reynolds
You can tell all that just from still photos? Wow, you're good.
Let me recommend The Nines. It's a superb film in general and RR gets to demonstrate a great acting range. Oh, and it's not a romantic comedy.
No.
What I have seen in still photos is a bland person with no charisma. Usually, with stars I like, when I see shots of them in celebrity magazines and promotional materials, their personality comes through. I have yet to see a photo of RR that couldn't have been shot using some non-actor male model. I've also occasionally seen moving pictures of him in commercials that haven't impressed me any more.
I'm not saying he's a bad actor, since I'm obviously not in a position to judge that. I'm just saying I've never seen the slightest thing that makes me inclined to spend 2 hours finding out what kind of actor he is. And ultimately it's their job to make me want to see their movies, not mine to build a case justifying my disinterest.
What about The Ruffalo?
Mark Ruffalo: I know he's just over 40, but he's got some romcom cred under his belt already, he's been paired with lots of leading Rom cOm ladies plus some serious acting chops in and around those and he scarcely looks forty and that face just makes my ovaries tremble...
And speaking of which: Much as I love a little midweek stroll down Himbo lane admiring the pectorals courtesy of you kind folks at AE (",), I would have also loved the skinny on what credentials you guys (and gals) thought the above 13 had for the throne of His Royal Romcomness?? I can completely accept a HM Ryan Reynolds, as he's a veritable romcom alumnus, and likewise Bradley Cooper has the looks, physique and gormless charm to romcom it for a while yet.
Even Gosling and the elder Evans have some creditable romcom chops, but Gyllenhall? Really? Can he do comedy? Romantic drama maybe. Efron and Pattinson seem a little too new to the fold to offer them the crown just yet, and James MacAvoy will have to do some hard graft before American et al audiences can comfortably excuse his accent- as only a rare few have ever done in the romcom stakes! (Sorry people, but we all know that American romcoms invariably cast the Brit as a bad guy, and that's a tough habit to break for audiences).. Channing Tatum has the looks to pull it off, but he's such a physical actor and seems so uncomfortable with dialogue (it's like his eyes physically flicker towards the EXIT sign each time he's caught in a conversation on screen)..
Sorry, Forty Years glass ceiling aside, Ruffalo's the guy... _____________________________
"You know when I heard Sandy wanted to write himself into a scene as Queen Cleopatra; I was aroused, and then furious.."
Sue Sylvester, Oh, you know where it's from (!)
A plug (or two) for McConaughey
Wait a minute--I seem to have misunderstood something. You're saying that it's an honor to replace Matthew McConaughey as Rom Com King? This isn't a joke?
"The mountain has wings."
Rom Com Royalty
As for the others... Personally I'd have loved to see Chris Evans take the crown. But that's only because I think he's totally hot.
As for Zac Efron and Robert Pattinson... I honestly don't think they need the help (I STILL don't get why people find these little boys so hot), but it's really too early for them to commit career-suicide by falling into the horrific downward-spiral of Rom-Comedy royal status.
Lastly... that first pic of Matthew McConaughey is SO hot. That man can remain the King for a few more years in my book. Age is only a number, after all.
The Rom Com Tugger
No post--I just wanted to use that subject line.
"The mountain has wings."
I voted for Bradley Cooper
Just for the fact that he's already done some...oh who cares? I don't care who wins. I just wanted to say thanks for all the hot pics!!!
"Open up your mind and then open up your heart. And you will see that you and me aren't very far apart." - Blessid Union of Souls
Voted for Reynolds, but...
... I don't really see McConaughey as the current rom-com king. It's not like any one guy is really essential to the genre. You can easily slip a Mulroney or a Marsden or a Dempsey or a Vaughan or a Rudd in there; it's the leading woman that's important.
All that said, the implication that McConaughey is over the hill at 40 is the sort of thing I'd expect to read from those bitter, miserable Queerty writers.
some folks lack a sense of humour
Some folks reading this article are clearly taking things much too seriously. It's not rocket science people! As Ed has said above, it's simply an excuse to post beefcake pics of some of our favourite actors. He has even asked for write-in votes so that more pictures will be posted in the comments section.
If it's RomCom, Cooper's the man
Gosling and Gordon Leavitt are superb actors who've done romantic films ("The Notebook" "500 Days of Summer"), but aren't exactly the frothy types who'd do something like "Failure to Launch" or "How To Lose A Guy In 100 Days." Gyllenhall and Macavoy are more fine dramatic actors, though they do partner well with others romantically. Efron is still trying to show his range, Reynolds' comedic peak was with "Van Wilder" almost 10 years ago, Tatum and Evans are too intense, Cannon too self-loving, NPH more of a character actor, and Pattinson needs to be vigorously slapped out of his brooding, unwashed poor-man's-Shelley funk. Cooper is the only one who seems to have the requisite lightness of spirit and sense of fun, yet also be passionate and romantic enough that a relationship has some gravitas. (He's also played gay at least twice, bless his heart, so I'll forgive him for the sour homophobia of "The Hangover.")
Joseph Gordon-Leavitt
I am going out on a limb and picking Joseph Gordon-Leavitt. 100 Days of Summer is my favorite film this year and he is the one who really took it to the next level. The man can act in both drama and comedy comfortabley. Its time for him to be a newer type of romantic lead I think. McConaughy never had the talent, he just played himself. Lets have a leading man who isn't blond and rippled with muscle. Joseph can be our "everyman".
Although Nick Zano and Bradley Cooper are cute...
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If I bring out the devil in you, he was there all along!
Legally married Sept 18, 2009. Wedded Oct 10,2009.
I refuse to vote