Guy Pearce Profile

New Pearce-ings        

   

 I don’t know if anyone else has noticed, but Guy Pearce is making a serious comeback. The last three years have seen Pearce turn from also-ran, into an actor that is participating in several critically acclaimed films.

Pearce with Russel Crowe in 1997's L.A. Confidential

At one time the Aussie actor was considered a phenom for his roles in Memento and L.A. Confidential in the late 90’s/early 2000’s. Afterword, however, he largely disappeared. Other than a few small roles in scattered films, Pearce was largely out of the Hollywood spotlight. Then in 2009 Pearce provided a cameo as Staff Sergeant Matthew Thompson in The Hurt Locker, which would later go on to capture the 2010 Best Picture Oscar. Pearce would also have a cameo appearance in the 2009 drama The Road, based on Cornac McCarthy's mega-bestselling book Pearce’s run would continue with a supporting role in 2010’s The King’s Speech, this time as Edward, the Prince of Wales and eventual King Edward the VIII. The King’s Speech would go on to win the Oscar for Best Picture in 2010, perhaps proving that the new winning formula for an Oscar was to throw Pearce in a supporting role.

And The Hurt Locker in 2009

            Pearce’s eye for critical acclaim would continue in 2010 with the Australian film Animal Kingdom, a highly acclaimed drama that would score an Oscar nomination for Best Supporting Actress. Pearce’s run in the last three years has been great enough that of his four highest-rated movies on Rotten Tomtoes, three have been released in that time frame, and Pearce is not finished. In 2011 Pearce will star in Don’t Be Afraid of the Dark, a horror film written and produced by Guillermo Del Toro. Dark is currently listed as an “Audiences Pick” on Rotten Tomatoes, an accolade based on the percentage of viewers who want to watch the film. After Dark Pearce will star in Prometheus, a highly anticipated science fiction movie from Ridley Scott; who apparently thought up the film while trying to plan an Alien prequel. Not much is known about the project, though you can read Scott’s words on the project here, but there definitely seem to be good, almost Avatar-esque vibes around it. The fact that Pearce is slated to star in a movie of this importance speaks to his new credibility in today’s Hollywood.

            It is rare for a once-promising star to bounce back quickly the way Pearce has, but hopefully the very talented Pearce can continue to buck the trend and continue on his career ascension. His horizons appear to be broadening, but hopefully he can stretch them out even farther.