For the past seven years, Claire Danes has been just one lengthy vacation away from inspiring the question no actor wants to hear: “Whatever happened to…?”
It’s not that she’s been completely out of the public eye. For God’s sake, she’s made 10 movies in that time, including The Hours and Terminator 3.
It’s just that, after playing angsty redhead Angela Chase on TV’s pivotal series My So-Called Life, she became such a favourite for those who like their cute young actors with brains and self-awareness. They expected such big things for their little Angela. She had so much potential.
In large part, the lower profile developed because, unlike most young actors, Danes decided to go to university — Yale, no less. That can put a crimp in your work life.
But school’s out, Danes is now 28 years old, and growing farther and farther from that breakthrough TV role.
This month she plays the central character — a falling star — in Stardust, a lavish fantasy à la Princess Bride. And her supporting cast? How about Robert De Niro, Michelle Pfeiffer, Peter O’Toole, Ian McKellen and Ricky Gervais. Not bad.
Check out “How to be a Star” to find out how Danes prepared herself to play a celestial being.
Daniel Craig finds himself battling beings from outer space in The Invasion, more specifically, an alien virus that’s turning people into shells of their former selves. Sound familiar? Yup, it’s a loose remake of the 1956 classic Invasion of the Body Snatchers.
In “Playing Doctor” we ask Craig about that on-set incident in which he reportedly saved Nicole Kidman from serious injury, and, of course, we find out what life is like after Bond.
Matt Damon swears that his character, Jason Bourne, will find out his true identity by the end of The Bourne Ultimatum, the third film based on Robert Ludlum’s books. Read “Total Recall” to see whether this third Bourne movie will be the last.
And take a look at our interview with PEI native Martha MacIsaac. You may recognize her as the lead on TV’s rather earnest Emily of New Moon. Now she’s trying to be funny in Superbad, the latest movie from superhot writer (and fellow Canadian) Seth Rogen.
—Marni Weisz