MovieChat Forums > The Gunman (2015) Discussion > Middle-aged Action Heroes

Middle-aged Action Heroes

posted 9 years ago by eyespy3001
65 replies | jump to latest

I find it kind of odd that most hard-boiled action movies made over the past 7 years star actors in their 50's.

Not that there's anything wrong with giving againg actors the opportunity to flex some muscle, but it's becoming too much of a "thing," to the point of becoming a little disconcerting.

Where is the next crop of Arnold Schwarzeneggers and Sylvester Stallones and Jean Claude Van Dammes? Who are young kids supposed to look up to and idolize while sneaking into R-rated action movies these days?

If I may answer my own question: the next generation of "action heroes," they're all tied up in goofy costumes in safe-as-hell comic book movies and young adult book-to-movie adaptations, ensuring that the youth today remain the againg youth of tomorrow, ready and willing to suck down childish pop over and over again.

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What do you all think? Where are the new bad-asses of action cinema?

[–] gungfugilman 9 years ago

They mostly go direct to video, or come out of Hong Kong. Jason Statham and Keanu Reeves recently had R-Rated action thrillers out, but they are in there forties, so they are hardly up-n-comers. Chris Pine had the Jack Ryan movie, but I think it flopped. The type of hard hitting action that the Arnolds and Stallones once did to great success have been replaced by PG-13 super fests and YA "thrillers." To appeal to that demographic you have to be prettier than the guys you mentioned. The bad-asses have been replaced by underwear models and it makes me sad. I long for the days of Charles Bronson, Lee Marvin, and Steve McQueen, or even Stallone and Schwarzenegger, but there recent tries failed, so we are stuck with what we get.

[–] guillaume-pilon 9 years ago

Youre right

Im 31

As a kid i was watching steven seagal breaking arms or JCVD doing moves

Now
Guys like liam neeson are the actions guys

[–] MovieMusings 9 years ago

It's all about baby boomer demographics. They watch themselves telling stories about themselves.

[–] pauldada 9 years ago

Nah. How many male baby boomers do you think actually go to the movies? Not enough to make a market for stuff like this. I can't explain it except to speculate that brokendown old actors like Sean Penn still have enough pull in Hollywood to get themselves into hot properties that ought to be cast with 30-yr-olds.

[–] MovieMusings 9 years ago

Not the age of the audience, the age of the PRODUCERS.

People often wonder why an old Bogey was cast opposite a young Audrey Hepburn. Again, Bogey reflected the producers making the movies.

[–] blonkm-882-588631 9 years ago

Your comment makes no sense. When JCVD, Stallone and Arnie were young, do you think their producers were in their 20s too? No, these muscles are simply the only ones left that are good enough and can fill a cinema.

[–] MovieMusings 9 years ago

Commando 1985, Arnie was 38 years old.
Rambo 1985, Stallone was 37 years old.

Compare that with the ages of the direcctors who had come into their own just ahead of this time (like Spielberg and Lucas) and check the producers as well.

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I'm trying real hard to be the shepherd.

[–] blonkm-882-588631 9 years ago

well sure you could be right, it just sounded strange. I haven't done extensive research on this.

[–] Nikon11 8 years ago

It's all about baby boomer demographics. They watch themselves telling stories about themselves.

Ha

I like that. Thanks

[–] eyespy3001 9 years ago

The closest thing we have these days (or in the past decade or so) was The Rock. He tried carrying the torch- and still does- but it's sort of not the same.

I guess the overall game has changed. That machismo thing doesn't ring the same bells today as it once did. Movie companies realized they can get more money by getting more women in the seats, thus spawned the Brad Pitt Pretty Boy Culture.

That and the overall emasculation of men over the past two decades... Men aren't allowed to be men anymore. We're supposed to be stay at home dads, and our boys are not allowed to stand up and fight if another boy is challenging them.

I guess it's just a different world these days.

Anyway, thanks for chiming in, guys. Keep the suggestions coming!

[–] Matthyew_AKA_Jasonbronze 9 years ago

the hemsworth brothers, especially the older would prolly fit the profile and jai courtney. It does also seem that a lot of younger action type stars arent the musclebound martial artists of the 80s and 80s either, many are skinnier and or prettier. Gosling, Yelchin etc.

[–] fxdiamond 9 years ago

i sort of hate to say but it can because the older "boomer" guys and generations before that can pull it off better, for that matter could even when they were younger. they aren't as showy and glammed up like the young guys are now. they have to bulk up the younger guys now for them to be half as convincing and to appeal to the female fans. i know i never go to the cinema to see action stars of my generation.

okay well there are a few exceptions in the generation after the boomers, generation x, ie. vin diesels and stathams etc..

im a generation Y myself. 1985.

[–] ad101867-1 9 years ago

Far as I'm concerned Dwayne Johnson's wasted his career thus far. He could've been the new KING of action heroes, but instead he's done stupid comedies most of the time. I understand wanting to diversify and have people take you seriously in a different context--but what happened to focusing on what you're really good at? I'm a Rock fan; I think the guy's got charisma to spare, and can actually act okay if the script isn't overly demanding. He was quite good in Snitch, but that's a rarity if you look at his entire career.

[–] loulou1992 9 years ago

Shows what you know.... Its always been the best of that age... Bronson, Eastwood, Then Sly Arnold.... For some reason though people finding neeson fun to watch puzzles me... Atleast Penn looks dangerous and ready to cause pain.

[–] 9 years ago

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[–] loulou1992 9 years ago

Look boyo get shot... You obviously are a freak... Neeson cant make action good.

[–] !!!deleted!!! (55817158) 9 years ago

I agree there is a large amount of "geri-action" these days but I think it's because of the fact that the action stars from yester-years are now older and they still want to continue doing what they enjoy, action (as well as still wanting a job). However, there have been some attempts at action movies with younger stars (Taylor Lautner in Abduction, Chris Pine in Jack Ryan: Shadow Recruit) but evidently these movies have generally flopped at the Box Office.

In regards to this movie specifically though, the story is based on a novel called "The Prone Gunman" so perhaps they are trying to be accurate to the literature. I'm presuming the story is about an older assassin (correct me if I'm wrong as I haven't read the novel) and Sean Penn is a good actor so perhaps they chose to utilise his talents to deliver a strong performance from the lead role. A strong lead performance can often drive a movie's quality overall. I guess we'll find out if they succeeded here... :)

[–] Fiercesome_Fool 9 years ago

Old farts kicking ass is what in right now and it all started with Liam Neeson in Taken. I wish my generation had someone awesome to offer but alas there is not.

[–] aequitas_veritas_007 9 years ago

I personally enjoyed Jack Ryan: Shadow Recruit. Also enjoyed the remake of Red Dawn. I agree, though, that modern day movies have too many actors that are the slimmed down pretty boys vs the actually fit actions stars of previous years.

Best I think we have that might keep action going are:
Chris Hemsworth
Liam Hemsworth
Chris Pine
Kellan Lutz
Jeremy Renner (needs to move away from superhero work)
Michael B Jordan
Tony Jaa (needs to come to hollywood)
Karl Urban
Henry Cavill (needs to move away from superhero work)

Hopefully these guys stay away from romance and stick with shooting.

My life tends to be shaken, not stirred.

[–] Curtis_C_Flush 9 years ago

Taylor Kitsch

[–] cyguration 9 years ago

For crying out loud... that list is pathetic.

Kitsch? After Battleship and Savages? Oh heck no.

Baby Liam Hemsworth? Oh heck no.

We got a bunch of weak-willed, scrawny-scootin' baby booties filling up Hollywood's action queue right now and they need to get some real action heroes in there.

Johnny Strong was impressive in Sinners and Saints, but his career likely isn't going anywhere.

[–] gd5150 9 years ago

Liam Neison was too old to be a physical action character as well. Shooting guns is one thing. Outthinking the enemy is fine. Kicking butts is a bit much.

Worse though is Matt Damon as an action star. What's next, Leo Dicaprio? Terrible.

[–] aequitas_veritas_007 9 years ago

I bought the Damon's character more so than Neeson's. But if I have learned anything from the military, it is that older fellows can kick the crap out of younger ones the majority of the time.

My life tends to be shaken, not stirred.