YAM Magazine’s Top 25 Hottest Film Performers
Idris Elba
The man is brooding, powerful, capable of awe-inspiring sensuality but with a simmering compassion that’s a testament to his humble East Ham upbringing. He got his first taste of worldwide notoriety with his turn as the ballsy Stringer Bell in The Wire. From there he landed parts alongside such stars as Denzel Washington (American Gangster), Bill Hope (Legacy), and Michael Fassbender (Prometheus).
However, what most piqued my interest in this piece of perfection was his role as DCI John Luther, a troubled man with an exacting understanding of justice. The role garnered him a Golden Globe for Best Actor in a Miniseries, and my heart along with it. Add to that his work as hip-hop alter ego Driis, and, well, there’s nothing more to say.
His upcoming role as Stacker Pentecost in Guillermo del Toro’s Pacific Rim is sure to cement him as an actor with great pull and even greater star quality.
– Camiele
Zoë Saldaña
Her scope and depth as an actress is felt through her brown eyes, but it’s her ability to own a character that’s commendable.
The Puerto Rican/Dominican Saldaña has always been able to harness her innate sensuality into more substantial stuff, with her roles as troubled ballerina Eva Rodriguez in Center Stage and Uhura in 2009’s Star Trek. Her work as a tough chick, though not exactly awe-inspiring, shows that her sexuality is not bound by pouting lips.
As the uncompromising Aisha in The Losers — sharing the spotlight with one Mr. Idris Elba — and the thrumming anger of Cataleya Restrepo in Colombiana, Saldaña has proven she has the ability to be demure and fearless. Her latest project, entitled The Words, is sure to show her as even more emotionally open and dialed in to her unwavering talent.
– Camiele
Edward Norton
Not only is Edward Norton one of the hottest guys around, but he also seems to give each role his all, whether that involves being a neo-Nazi, a paranoid schizophrenic of sorts, a leper King, or even a large pink rhino. His acting is nothing short of stunning and many will find it tough to make it through Moonrise Kingdom without having your heart broken by his performance. I know mine was.
– Juan
Mark Ruffalo
Mark Ruffalo may not seem like your typical pick for hottest guy in town, but I know plenty of people who’d like to ruffle their faces in his chest hair. All awkward talk of us wanting to do that aside, Ruffalo has really been on the rise lately — scoring an Oscar nomination for The Kids Are All Right just over a year ago, and kicking some ass as the only person to ever do the Hulk justice.
No, seriously, I hate Bruce Banner and I was surprised that I enjoyed his character. Only time will tell if this star will keep rising and I’ve got my fingers crossed that he’ll impress me again as much as he usually does with Kenneth Lonergan.
– Juan
I hate to be “that girl”, but, seriously, our list is miles above and beyond what TotalFilms drummed up. That, for lack of a better word, shit was so unitnteresting and ridiculous. I was kinda shocked, but I guess not totally surprised given that the standard of hotness is based on a completely whitewashed understanding of beauty, pushed down our throats from the States.
Anyway, this isn’t a political list, per se. I just find that when you let people from all over the world decide what makes up a good list, you get a more entertaining and certainly better looking appreciation of actors and film.
@Camiele, I know our list had the condition of not using the actors listed on TotalFilms, but I’m sure most of the team would have easily included Fassbender, Hiddleston, Theron, Rapace, Gosling, Mulligan, Chastain, etc. But let’s be real: without the diversity and film condition, voting would have favored American/UK acts because, let’s not deny this, we also love a good amount of the actors that TF’s list shows. I’m aware of some of the foreign acts, but I’m also lazy to keep up with everything, lol.
Also, it’s hard for non-white people to promote their films and become draws. But that’s another story.
@Rodrigo, It’s not so much that the list included those people at all. It’s that the only thing you saw was an overwhelming amount of Anglo actors, when, as anyone can see from the list we compiled, that there is so much talent and sexiness in so many different forms.
And you do make a good point. It IS hard for non-white actors to promote their films. You’re also right that we shouldn’t get into it here… HaHA.
@Rodrigo, any of these picks over Kristen Stewart or Rooney Mara.
@Ghost Writer, I agree with Kristen Stewart. What’s wrong with Rooney Mara (other than playing Lisbeth Salander)?
@Rodrigo, but keeping track of a well-researched list makes one discover new talents :) and that makes the entertainment world go round xD
Did the casting director for Elysium read this list from the future or something?
@Diandra Rodriguez, I think if we had done our Most Anticipated Films list, Elysium would be on top now. LOL
@amy, next year!
@Diandra Rodriguez, But we’re anticipating it already! XDDD Don’t mind me, I just really really really really really really really really really need this movie in my life already.
@Diandra Rodriguez, NYAHAHA, I know, right?! The only 2 people from that cast that are not on this list are Matt Damon and Jodie Foster! I’m deathly excited for that movie. I’m SUCH a huge fan of Neill and Sharlto because of D9. Can’t wait to see Elysium.
@Marciana, yeah, when I was putting together the list with all the other writers’ contributions, I was pleasantly surprised by how many actors were linked to that movie! I’ve been a fan of Neill Blomkamp’s work ever since I saw “Alive in Joburg,” and then tracked some of his other ad/short film work when he was announced for the failed Halo movie project that eventually spawned District 9. I’m wishing the best for Neill and Sharlto too!
@Diandra Rodriguez, I saw “Alive in Joburg” on YouTube! Was pleasantly surprised at the level of effects considering what a tiny budget they had for that short, LOL. Seriously too excited for “Elysium.” The panel at San Diego Comic Con a few days ago has only made me more desperate for this movie already!
Totally agree with a majority of the names that appear here. I’m especially a huge Sharlto Copley fan. I saw him in The A-Team (on TV, not even in the cinemas omg), which made me want to check him out in “District 9,” upon which I promptly fell in love with it (the movie) and him. He’s going to be unstoppable in the next two years. I hope an Oscar is in his VERY near future.
@Marciana, his role in District 9 was Oscar-worthy. xD
@amy, TOTALLY. He was ROBBED that year, ROBBED! Matter of fact, D9 was robbed of the Best Picture Oscar too, by Avatar. I saw both, and thought D9 was far better storywise than Avatar. I think Avatar got away with eye-candy and coz it was Spielberg, but hey. Neill and Sharlto will have their time, I know it. They’re amazingly talented.
@Rodrigo, Rooney Mara is aloof, and so boring. If Stewart doesn’t try, Mara is a try-hard who wants so hard to look like she doesn’t try.