Since 2008, Marvel Studios has been swimming in their success, getting bolder with their choices in movies and television shows and attracting highly-acclaimed actors. The success has rubbed off on their actors as well. Chris Evans, Chris Hemsworth and Chris Pratt have been hurled into stardom in the past couple of years, making them the most bankable and bangable men in Hollywood.
Before Marvel, these three actors didn't have the best movies in their repertoire. At least, the movies weren't successful enough to showcase them as potential leading men. Cue Marvel.
According to Celebrity Net Worth, Chris Evan's net worth launched from a modest $5 million to $40 million after six years of playing Captain America. The others are not far behind. Chris Pratt has a net worth of $30 million, while Chris Hemsworth is sitting comfortably on $60 million.
So what makes them so appealing? Why do men and women drool over these actors? Aren't they just another bunch of large, interchangeable, nice white guys?
Absolutely!
But that's what Hollywood and the people want. Gone are the days of the intense brooding machismo from Pacino or De Niro, the rugged handsomeness of the Eastwoods or Jackman, or the smoldering bad boy looks from Depp and Pattinson.
Now the ideal Hollywood look is handsome in a non-oppressive kind of way. The boy-next-door kind of look. The man that looks nice enough to present to your family as your boyfriend. The American ideal in human form. And these three fit the bill.
It also helps that comic-book franchises are taking over the box-office in both the domestic and international market.
Male actors can no longer expect to just rely on their acting skills. These days, the only way to achieve mega-stardom is by gaining some muscles. Without it, there is no chance of grabbing a global franchise and without that, you cannot prove your bankability and land oscar-worthy roles.
But what about the actors that are not "large, interchangeable, white" men? What about POC actors?
According to Harris's article on male stardom, he outlines six characteristics that a celebrity personality must have to reach that level of success. The actor has to be relatable and mysterious, have sex appeal, a sense of humor, be able to surprise people, understand when it's their time, and have no one else go for the same roles.
That fits the bill of several famous POC actors in Hollywood: John Cho, Oscar Isaac, Idris Elba, Aziz Ansari, and Michael Pena. Yet they're not getting the recognition that they deserve.
Idris Elba's net worth is $12 million. Aziz Ansari is $18 million. Michael Pena is $5 million. Oscar Isaac is $2 million. Finally, John Cho, who was probably acting longer than the others, has a net worth of $20 million.
It's not that the Chris trio doesn't deserve their success, they absolutely do, the problem lies in what they symbolize in Hollywood's pursuit of men like them.
Hollywood has always been great at sensing their audience's desires. It's why Will Smith and Denzel Washington were one of the top-ranked actors during the Bush-Cheney administration. Hollywood seem to be adding a little diversity in their films.
But over the past couple of years, the film industry seems to be at a standstill. Last year's Oscar nominations seemed to cement the idea of reluctance even further.
Minorities are growing to be the largest majority in the U.S. According to the U.S Census Bureau, in 2014, there were more than 20 million children under five-years-old living in the US, and 50.2 percent of them were minorities. With these increasing numbers, it makes sense that the "American look" is also changing. Shouldn't our actors and stories reflect that?
Who knows, maybe in the next two years we'll be seeing John Cho and Oscar Isaac as the Leading Man? For now, enjoy your Chris.
