Top Ten Science Fiction Movie Actors

June 7th, 2009

There are a number of Hollywood stars who seem to consistently make science fiction movies.   I don’t know if it is that they prefer this sort of script in general, or if they keep getting approached following success with an initial film.   Anyway, let’s proceed with the list!

10. Let’s start old school with Charleton Heston. Yes. The Omega Man, Planet of the Apes, and Soylent Green are three classics of the genre. I’m biased for growing up in the 1970s and outside of Star Wars and Star Trek, these movies defined science fiction.

OK, I’m going to get my hands off of him and move on.

9. Bruce Willis. Not my first thought as he’s done plenty of work of all types, from drama to comedy, but he has had a large number of roles in science fiction movies. Armageddon, Unbreakable and the Sixth Sense with M. Night, The Fifth Element, Planet Terror, and 12 Monkeys:

8. Hugo Weaving. I love Mr. Weaving. He has a cool look and awesome delivery. From high elf Elrond to Matrix Agent to V (where his cool look is obscured), he’s doing fantastic work in science fiction. Hell, Priscilla Queen of the Desert sure feels like science fiction, too — check out Hugo as a fire lizard!

7. Sigourney Weaver. She’s nearly as iconic as the Alien and has helped make that series. Also I think she’s notable as one of the first serious female action stars. Other movies like Ghostbusters and Galaxyquest put her here.

6. Rutger Hauer. A little bit on the campy, B-movie level sometimes, but he’s done a lot of science fiction (check out Blood of Heroes if you haven’t seen it!). Most notable probably as Roy Batty in Blade Runner.

5. Tom Cruise. Yeah, Tom Cruise. Surprised me, too, but think about it. War of the Worlds. Vanilla Sky. Interview with the Vampire. Legend. And the Mission Impossible movies certainly have a science fiction feel. Minority Report, in particular, is full of great science fiction:

4. Milla Jovovich. She was awesome in The Fifth Element, and the Resident Evil movies would be nothing without her. Even Ultraviolet, not a great film, is watchable because of her.

3. Kurt Russell. Escape from New York. Big Trouble in Little China. The Thing. Sky High. Soldier. Stargate. Nobody but him can do this wearing lipstick and look tough:

2. Keanu Reeves. Who knew that after Johnny Mnemonic anyone would let him do the Matrix? And also classic Philip K. Dick like A Scanner Darkly. Very recently The Day the Earth Stood Still. Then there’s horror films like Constantine, Dracula, and Devil’s Advocate. One of his best roles, of course, was Ted the time traveler:

1.   Arnold Schwarzeneggar.   Conan, Terminator 1 and 2, Predator, Total Recall, the Running Man, Sixth Day, etc., etc.   Even a lot of his mainstream movies like True Lies and Twins have fantastic elements that smack of science fiction.   He’s governor now, but I think it’s safe to say that he’ll be back:

Honorable mentions: Kate Beckinsale (Underworld movies, Van Helsing), Will Smith (I Robot, I Am Legend, Independence Day), Christian Bale (Batman, Reign of Fire, Equilibrium), Sam Neil (Jurassic Park, Merlin, Lord of Illusions), Carrie Anne Moss (Matrix movies, Red Planet), Dennis Quaid (Enemy Mine, Frequency, Dragonheart, Inner Space, Dreamscape), Harrison Ford (Star Wars films, Blade Runner, Indiana Jones, etc., but lots and lots of non-sf roles, too).

Who did I miss, or misplace?

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