Yea, the younger generation definitely has some very nice talent in its ranks. Several of my favorite actors around today are in that group. Gives some very nice hope for the future of film. And another thing about most of them, they seem devoted to their craft. They pick roles wisely and typically bring quality content along with them.

And I definitely had to include Shia in my list here. I've been a fan of him since I saw him in Holes. The boy can definitely act. Sure he's been a bit of a douche at times (I think Spielberg catapulting him to super-stardom went to his head a bit), but he's definitely talented. Like I mention in the list though, I just hope he can go back to at least mixing in some of his The Greatest Game Ever Played and Guide to Saints type roles some more instead of sticking with this strictly blockbuster cliche stuff. It's really not doing him any favors anymore. At this point he's a big name, he gained that from those films. Now he has that name, he needs to go back to doing his serious acting here and there too to remind people why he got where he is. But yes, even in those cliche movies I still like watching him. He's got a certain charm and appeal that he brings to the screen.

Agreed. That's kinda what inspired me to sit down and think of this: you're seeing more and more studios turning to the young actors these days and utilizing their abilities and talent.

Some of them here have indeed already made big names for themselves. Ryan Gosling, Shia Labeouf, Jake Gyllenhaal...all household names I think. And Joseph Gordon-Levitt, if not there already, is teetering on the edge of it. As well Jesse Eisenberg is getting a push lately. I think he's one to seriously watch out for. The kid does give me a lot of that young Tom Hanks vibe. Just have to see how he fills out as an actor. Couple of the others may end up being "condemned" to the indie scene (and I use that word lightly cause it's not a bad thing at all), but will undoubtedly be known for their talent amongst those that are "in the know" so to speak.

I think Jamie Bell is the one most likely to just fade away into the background, though he is a talented actor and would like to see him given a real shot. Like I state in the list, something's gotta be said for a kid that wins a BAFTA award in his first movie...at 14. Not to mention he had the talent to surmount what many can't...making that leap from child actor to grown talented actor.

Which leads me to Freddie....it should be interesting to watch and see if he can make that transition past child actor as well.