It wasn't that long ago (2005, to be exact) when it seemed McAdams was destined to be one of the biggest stars on the planet. She had back-to-back mega-successes Mean Girls, The Notebook, and Wedding Crashers. Even her lower-profile flicks like Red Eye and The Family Stone found sizable audiences. So what did she do to capitalize on that momentum? Well…not a whole lot. She took two years off, and then returned for smaller parts in two little-seen, lukewarmly reviewed indies (Married Life and The Lucky Ones). She was in State of Play earlier this year, but in more of a supporting role.
I understand and respect her decision to shy away from the spotlight and take time off. But I also wonder if by doing so she let her moment pass her by. Hollywood is fickle. Actresses are deemed to be "the next big thing" every day. When that happens, there really has to be a sense of urgency to strike while the iron is hot and land those high-profile roles. So McAdams didn't want to be the next Julia Roberts or Reese Witherspoon. Fine. She could have at least found an interesting and challenging lead role in a smaller indie film, like what Anne Hathaway did (superbly) with Rachel Getting Married.
That said, McAdams is just 30 years old. She's got plenty of time ahead of her. And in a day and age when overexposure stalls/kills careers left and right (look no further than her Sherlock Holmes costar Jude Law), I am glad she is something of a mystery. I just hope her career is still on the incline. Much seems to be riding on the success of The Time Traveler's Wife. (She's also got Sherlock Holmes this Christmas, but that's not necessarily her movie, either.)
What are your feelings on Rachel McAdams, PopWatchers? Are you ready to welcome her back? Do you also wish her career had turned out a little differently? And are you planning on The Time Traveler's Wife? Watch the trailer and share your thoughts on all accounts.
She is amazing….I’m very happy to welcome her back. She is a very talented actress so I’m sure she’ll be around for a long time. Unlike some other younger really lame actresses.
VERY talented, Rachel will be successful no matter what roles she chooses, she has great, natural, acting chops. She will be around muchm much longer than EW’s current cover girl, the overexposed and under-talented Megan Fox.
I HATED this book, and the trailer makes this look even cheesier.
love love LOVE rachel mcadams and cannot wait for this movie – i’ve read the book at least three times already and always pictured her and ryan gosling, ha!, as the leads… judging from the trailer alone, it looks like it’ll be pretty close to the book and i think she and eric bana can pull it off.
Rachel should have Anne Hathaway’s career.
I c ur jealous… Don’t hate on her just cuz she made it somewhere and ur stuck whereever u r right now.. That being said rachel is a very good actress.. Beautifull .. And talented… Its people like you dat don’t make it to where she’s at right now
It always makes me sad to see people talking about how lovely and talanted Rachel McAdams is. I was in school with her and she totally full of herself. I always found it ironic she was in a movie called Mean Girls – not much of a stretch, acting wise. I hope she has missed her shot and fades away so I can stop reading about her.
i am a HUGE fan of the book, and the trailer, while making me a little weepy, also makes me slightly nervous. they better not have mucked up the story.
Can we RETIRE the term “it Girl” already, all you hack writers??????
I’ve been in love with her from the instant she poppped on screen in Mean Girls. I respect her decision to take time off and concentrate on her life and do things her way. The era of the megastar people would follow anywhere may be over but I’ll see anything with her name on it and I can’t wait for Traveler’s Wife, it looks good. On a side note: what’s with Eric Bana and time travel? first Star Trek now This?
http://theninthdragonking.wordpress.com/2009/06/13/incoming-the-time-travelers-wife/
At least she hasn’t ended up like that skank Lindsay Lolife, so give her that!
One of the things I LOVED about this book was that as much as Clare loved Henry, she was still OK when he left her. I’m worried from the trailer that she’s going to be a less independent character.
I’m beyond worried that they’re going to turn one of my all time favorite books into cheesy chick flick fare (yes, like the Notebook). My fears were confirmed when the writer of this made the Notebook/Benjamin Button comparison. TTTW is SUCH a better book than this trailer is making it out to be. And I would of much rather had anybody in the role of Claire than McAdams. Not because she’s not a good actor, but just because people would make the lazy conclusion that is just The Notebook with time-traveling. Anybody else. Anne Hatthaway, Evan Rachel Woods, Natalie Portman, maybe even Zooey Deschenel in a role that can truly show off how awesome she is.
She stole “Mean Girls” from the Lohan.
“I hope she has missed her shot and fades away so I can stop reading about her.”
S, why don’t you just stop reading about her now? No one forced you to read AND reply to this article.
I really enjoy what McAdams brings to her roles, so I’m pleased that she’s got a few movies coming out this year.
the problem is that what determines an “it” girl these days is how big a publicist they have.
It is no longer based on talent, or even public interest. It is whoever can get there names in the magazines, gossip columns, and tv show for no reason.
Take Megan Fox, she is beautiful…but is she talented? I have no clue, I have not seen her “act” in anything. Every movie she looks great in and that is the extent of her being an “it” girl. Can she carry a movie (showing public interest)? Who knows?
Rachel McAdams is also beautiful, ad from what I have seen can act…but I don’t know anyone who goes to a movie just cause she is in it. That is a true “it” girl.