As we all know by now, Fast & Furious blew away the competition at the box office over the weekend, shocking Hollywood with its $71 mil debut. Amazing. And in the days since, most of the focus, not surprisingly, has been on leading man Vin Diesel, who returned to refuel the F&F series after several years — and several film flops of his own. His is the big comeback everyone’s been talking about, his is the one we’ll be hearing about for a while to come, and, hey, I’m glad for him. I like the guy (especially in relatively understated character roles like the ones he had in Saving Private Ryan and Boiler Room).
But what I really want to know is whether Diesel’s F&F costars Paul Walker and Michelle Rodriguez will also be able to use last weekend’s success as a much-needed spark plug for their careers. While Walker’s decisions have been hit (Eight Below, Flags of Our Fathers) and miss (Timeline, Into the Blue) since the original Fast and the Furious struck gold in 2001, he’s never been able to shed his himbo persona — or even adequately capitalize on it in any entertaining way. (No, Into the Blue does not count: I said "entertaining.") And thanks to a potentially lethal combination of off-screen behavior issues and a consistently surly on-screen attitude, Rodriguez has squandered some of the goodwill that resulted from her notable work in Girlfight (her first movie) and Blue Crush (so much better than Into the Blue…I mean, like in a different universe), and from her brief, semi-disappointing tailie turn on Lost.
Now, with Hollywood paying attention once again and people looking at them and seeing dollar signs, you’ve gotta think these two have a chance to ride the wave they never fully caught earlier this decade. Think they can do it, PopWatchers? And, in your opinion, which one stands a better chance of long-term success?
Comments (1-30) of 30 Add your comment
Lol, I haven’t heard anyone use the word “himbo” in a while. I’m going to make it a point to use that word more often.
I think Paul Walker has the bigger chance. Hollywood always has use for good looking men. I’m kinda surprised he hasn’t gone the McConaughey route and starred in a bunch of romantic comedies.
Michelle I’m afraid will have a harder time. She just seems to gravitate toward these tough chick roles (quick, name a role where she hasn’t kicked someone’s bootay!) and the older she gets, the fewer and far between these will get.
My friend chat with celebs on the hottest dating place..millionairechats.com..First i can’t trust it,then i signed there.It’s true.Exciting.
Michelle Rodriguez has “Avatar” coming up, so she’s on her way up. Even though her role in F&F is small, she made a bigger impression on me than Jordana or Gal. I mean, what actress these days, besides Angelina, is allowed to do the action scenes she does in this?
Holy cow EW. Every comment thread is filled with spam now. Can’t you block that crap already?
What was wrong with Timeline?? Considering how mind bending the book was, I thought it was a great screen adaptation, which Chris Walker was good in.
Oops, I meant Paul. That’s what you get for writing comments when half asleep…and also makes me wonder where I got the name chris from…
Maybe you were thinking of Christopher Walken?
Yeah, EW, apparently, spammers can type in captchas. I’m sick of this willsia.
Michelle Rodriguez really rocks. I hope she makes it – she’s got that something extra. Just don’t know if the roles are out there though.
Paul Walker, he’s like Keanu Reeves, but not as good an actor. Yeah, I went there. I’d like to see Michelle Rodriguez do well — she was so good in Girlfight.
I’m hoping Rodriguez gets a bit of a jumpstart to her career. I’ve always liked her in her tough chick roles (and IMO, her turn on Lost was not disappointing, but pretty awesome), but I am really hoping she tries something different for once, a role that is different from her norm to see if she really can act (we saw a few tidbits on Lost that were slightly different from her usual thing…like some of her breakdowns like in her death scene).
Paul Walker’s “Running Scared” was a great movie.
I think they both will last but for different reasons and on different levels.
Michelle Rodriguez will last as an icon I think. Say what you will about the typecast roles, she is so unique and seems to have varied interests. I predict many more years of acting but along the way some writing, producing, directing, charity, and fashion. I think she could legitimately become a latina Angelina Jolie, balancing kick butt roles with Osar-winning performances all the while doing many things on the side personally and professionally, being a Hollywood power-player of the future.
Paul Walker I feel will wind up being a veteran actor. His skills have improved and he’s aging well and I think he will be steadily employed for years to come, achieving more respect for his craft as the years pass and he develops.
Ironically, I feel Vin Diesel will fade, becoming a Stallone-type who clings to past roles for dear life, as he’s already doing. The difference is Stallone was a legend. Vin’s a fad.
Paul Walker should go the rom-com route, or else his career will probably stay virtually the same. Michelle has the best chance of doing well, as long as she figures out how to keep her attitude in check and keep her personal life out of the tabloids.
Walker has a pretty face, a hot body and fabulous arms. Too bad he opens his mouth and speaks.
Paul is a beautiful and fabulous man, but actng he is not really good. He is getting better and better and I still like to watch him at the screen and movies.
I love u and I loved all your movies including “fast&furious 4″!!!my email is princess_baby_Jacky@hotmail.com
I would watch Paul Walker in ANYTHING….Varsity Blues….The Skulls….started it all….he is absolutely stunning to look at….YUMMY!!!!!!
I know u like teenagers and Im a 17 years old brazilian girl.Did u like me…we can hung out one day..if u like it…
I didn’t watch all your movies but I would like it…can I go to your home to watch your movies???
gimme your phone number, please?
I wanna go with Jacky to your home and watch your movies or anything…luv u
I’ve been a Paul Walker “fan” since his “himbo” turn in Meet the Deedles. “Yeah, just like Captain Pine is short for Caaaptain Piiiiine” (<—When is that NOT funny?) That's right, I'm taking it way back. Add to that his turns as the hot QB in Varsity Blues, a snarky jacka$$ in She's All That, and an actual-good!- performance in Running Scared and I'll watch anything he's in!
As for Michelle, I've never been a big fan. Liked her in Girlfight but never bought into the hype. I do still have love for Vin Diesel, though-if only for that amazing body
Walker stands the most to gain.
Rodriguez will screw it up. Trust.
Eh, Paul Walker can’t really act and Michelle bugs me for some reason. So in the F&F equation all I care about is Vin (Find ME Guilty was great!) and his success. Go Vin!
Seann William Scott fills my “Paul Walker” slot much better than Paul Walker.
Rodriguez stands to soar and stay on top. Walker, eh I don’t know. Maybe.
I love all your movies I have seen every single one of them and I could watch your movies over and over again without getting bored you and vin are the best actors ever
i have seen every one of vin’s and paul’s movies and the best theory from vin is “I will kill you with my tea cup” and paul’s best theory is “How you like them apples now”
Michelle Rodriguez is my favorate actress
Everyone will be on MRods ass as soon as James Cameron’s Avatar comes out in Dec & she deserves it! She’s an amazing actress, people just believe the bad hype to damn much – True fans don’t read into it all. Real MR fan over here!