Munich seemed to be the peak of his star power- the lead in a Steven Spielberg movie. Then he wasn't in a movie for two years and returned with 'Lucky You' and the indie Australian film 'Romulus, My Father'. I respect that he gives off the vibe of not caring about the budget of a film, but does it seem like a bit of a fall from grace? As though he squandered his star power?
He seems like a actor who goes at his own pace, it can be a success for some if you pick great films and roles. But sometimes it can backfire on some. But Bana's had a decent career, for me he's never come close to topping his breathtaking performance in Chopper. But he's done fine, sure his run from Chopper to Munich is probably his best.
Chopper, Black Hawk Down, Finding Nemo, Hulk, Troy and Munich. I'm sure Hulk's not so great success did him in for studios as a superstar. But looking at his post 2005 career, I wouldn't call it a fall from grace.
Lucky You (from the director of LA Confidential, didn't prove a success but you can see why he did it)
He's excellent in Romulus, My Father, probably his best role since Chopper
The Other Boleyn Girl, with two popular young actresses and him been the lead male.
Star Trek proved a success. He's a good villain in that.
Funny People, he's funny in that.
The Time Travelers Wife, probably his most famous role for a big audience.
From 2011 onwards, I think he's been on cruise control for sure. He's done good stuff but he's mostly been in supporting roles in Lone Survivor and The Finest Hours.
He probably never lived up to Chopper, say look at Tom Hardy for example after he did Bronson, he mixes commercial blockbusters with indie work and has lived up to his potential. I think with Bana I think he's never lived up to the hype rather then fallen from grace.
Chopper & Bronson, now there's a brutal double feature
shareI think the main reason behind his intermittent appearances is that he and his family chose to stay living in Melbourne, as opposed to moving to the US like most successful Australian actors. This obviously would make it difficult to appear as "present" as other actors and would limit the amount of American movie roles he can take.
I tend to agree with looper though, he has built himself a respectful career as a damn fine character actor.
Not everyone needs to be Tom Cruise to have achieved something great.
Shame his career never panned out to be what people expected, he was brilliant in Munich and amazing in Chopper.
shareI actually think Troy was his peak popularity-wise. But he did also make Munich and Incredible Hulk around that time too.
He did seem to drop off hard after Munich.
He claimed he had more pleasure making films overseas, in foreign, non US, Hollywood, productions.
shareI think he just wasn't, and isn't, ambitious enough to suit Hollywood. He gave some good performances during his Hollywood heyday and some bad ones*, but he turned down projects because he wanted to spend a reasonable amount of time at home in Australia, with his family. And Hollywood has no use for people who want a reasonable work-life balance, Hollywood wants people who'll do anything for the job they have or the job they hope to have!
So while he was home bringing up his kids, other actors clawed their way to the roles that might have kept him on the Hollywood A List.
*Anyone else see him play Henry VIII with an Aussie accent? No, really, he did!
Don't know how many people have seen the movie The Dry with Bana, but it is pretty good. And I just read where filming of the sequel has just completed.
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