Whether it’s the Hemsworth brothers or more seasoned actors such as Nicole Kidman, Hollywood has never been short of Australian talent.
It’s not hard, either, to find singers and musicians who’ve found stardom beyond the land of Vegemite and animals that couldn’t walk backwards to save themselves. Sia, for example, was catapulted into the spotlight after a stint in London before moving to New York.
Fifteen years ago, it was impossible for an Australian to take a stroll down Sunset Boulevard without being bombarded with familiar faces smiling down at them from billboards: think Kidman, Hugh Jackman and Baz Lurhman.
Today, it’s not that different, with several blockbuster films due to be released in 2017 staring Australians who’ve managed to land plum roles.
But for every Kodi Smit McPhee (Dawn of the Planet of the Apes) and Josh Helman (X-Men: Apocalypse), there are scores of young Australians waiting in the wings.
Here are the 10 Australians we think you should keep an eye on.
1. Isabelle Cornish
NSW-born actor Isabelle Cornish has flown to Los Angeles to shoot pilots several times. Photo: Jonathan Carroll
Cornish, 22, has stared in Australian TV shows such as Home and Away, Puberty Blues and Dance Academy. She is also rumoured to have been considered for 2014’s Transformers: Age of Extinction
Hollywood is obviously keeping a close eye on her career, but we will have a chance to see her before they snap her up when she stars in Kriv Stenders’ new feature film for Foxtel, Australia Day, where she plays one of the key roles in the gripping film.
2. Elias Anton
Focused: Elias Anton stars as Danny Kelly in Barracuda. Photo: ABC
Elias Anton leapt into the spotlight after starring in ABC TV drama Barracuda. Last year also saw him land a gig on Neighbours, which has been a springboard for countless careers.
This year, Anton will star with Cornish in Australia Day – a film that follows the lives of three Australians from diverse backgrounds during the country’s national holiday. He was roundly praised for his gut-wrenching performance in Barracuda and early rushes of Australia Day show he puts in equally as compelling a performance.
3. Ryan Corr
Raw drama: Ryan Corr stars in Holding the Man. Photo: Louise Kennerley
It’s almost offensive to call Corr a rising star given his impressive resume. However, his career has been on the up-and-up for some time.
From his breakout performance on Packed to the Rafters through to a performance in last year’s Holding The Man that tugged forcefully on the heart strings and his chilling performance in Wolf Creek 2, Corr is an actor who has steadily chipped away at his career.
It’s inevitable Hollywood will notice him and it will be sooner rather than later.
4. Alex Lahey
Alex Lahey performs with the EG AllStars during the 2016 The Age Music Victoria Awards. Photo: Daniel Pockett
Last year, Triple J Unearthed winner Alex Lahey single You Don’t Think You Like People Like Me was dubbed Pitchfork’s best new track.
2017 doesn’t seem to be slowing down for the Melbourne musician, who will be supporting Tegan and Sara in the UK next month.
5. Joe Klocek
Joe Klocek in Nowhere Boys: Two Moons Rising. Photo: Supplied
Brisbane-born Klocek, 21, starred on stage with the Queensland Theatre Company before landing roles in Barracuda and Please Like Me.
Now Melbourne based, his turn on ABC3’s Nowhere Boys has had casting directors stand up and pay attention. The 21-year-old will next appear in 2017’s Pirates of the Carribean, no doubt the first of many major films to come his way in the near future.
6. Sophie Wright
Sophie Wright stars in the Australian production of Kinky Boots. Photo: Marnya Rothe
Wright is currently performing in the Australian production of Kinky Boots as the show’s main female lead role. Prior to that she understudied the role of Elphaba in the Australian tour of Wicked and performed in Hugh Jackman’s Broadway to Oz national tour.
Her comedic timing in Kinky Boots was a particular highlight for The Age theatre critic Cameron Woodhead and will definitely help her land more roles on stage and screen down the track.
7. Lachlan Buchanan
Lachlan Buchanan recently made the jump from Australian to US TV. Photo: Supplied
Buchanan has starred in Australian TV shows such as Blue Water High an in the Aussie feature Newcastle before making the leap to US shows like Pretty Little Liars and The Young and the Restless. He has been involved with theatre since he was just eight years old.
Lachlan is the younger brother of well-known Australian actor Andrew Buchanan. And we know how much Hollywood loves sibling duos.
8. Odessa Young
Odessa Young poses in the media room after winning the AACTA Award for Best Lead Actress for The Daughter. Photo: Caroline McCredie
Young isn’t yet 20, but already has an AACTA Award under her belt for her role in 2015 film The Daughter. She has an American agent and is up for trying new things – even comedy.
With an attitude like that, you just know Young is well and truly on her way to finding international fame.
9. Luke Bracey
High action: Luke Bracey as Johnny Utah in the Point Break remake.
Sydney-born Bracey made his acting debut with Home and Away. The 27-year-old is a solid actor who has the breadth to be an action hero one day, or a sensitive lead the next.
He scored the lead in the under-the-radar reboot of Point Break before starring in Mel GIbson’s Hackshaw Ridge last year. His next project, American Dream, is in post-production but expect to see more credits on his IMDB profile soon.
10. Tkay Maidza
Tkay Maidza. Photo: Daniel Dorsa
Adelaide-based Tkay Maidza’s 2016 album Tkay was well-received, and she is a scorching live performer.
She is touring Europe next month and will play at the Governor’s Ball in New York. Expect even bigger things from this artist in the not-so-distant future.
Article Source: http://www.smh.com.au/entertainment/movies/margot-robbie-chris-hemsworth-joe-klocek-meet-the-aussie-stars-to-watch-20170106-gtn591.html
