# Actors (either gender) under 40 who can be considered A-List **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [January 23, 2015, 6:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/actors-either-gender-under-40-who-can-be-considered-a-list/710697 "2015-01-23T18:15:00Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Barkis\_is\_Willin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/a183cd/32.png) [@Barkis\_is\_Willin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Barkis_is_Willin)\ **Post date:** [January 23, 2015, 8:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/actors-either-gender-under-40-who-can-be-considered-a-list/710697/21 "2015-01-23T20:09:19Z")
I’d say Jennifer Lawrence is about as A-list as you can get. ---
**Author:** ![theR](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/977dab/32.png) [@theR](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/theR)\ **Post date:** [January 23, 2015, 8:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/actors-either-gender-under-40-who-can-be-considered-a-list/710697/22 "2015-01-23T20:11:54Z")
> [@MovieMogul](#): > > A-list is typically meant to represent one’s power in the industry, as well as one’s name recognition. So I would say Scarlet is definitely in, but Christ Pratt is on the cusp–one good year does not an A-lister make. **Jurassic World** will probably give him that necessary boost. > > Similarly, Chastain is incredibly talented, but definitely not an A-lister. Cumberbatch I would argue not quite, because he’s mostly known for indie dramas and imports. His biggest movie is where he voices a dragon. > > Stone is on the path but still is known for supporting parts. She still needs to carry a big movie (and no, **Easy A** doesn’t count). Similarly, Chris Evans is too tied to a franchise the way A-listers aren’t. He needs to be in something big outside the Marvel universe. Couldn’t someone with access to Ulmer’s Hot List give us a factual answer to the OP? Isn’t that the canonical list defining A-list versus B, C, and D? I guess we need to decide if this thread is about the canonical list or our personal opinions. I think the Ulmer Scale does indeed rate Chastain as A-list, at least as of a couple years ago, but that’s just my impression from search engine results. I’m not going to pay for access to his list. ---
**Author:** ![Dewey\_Finn](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dewey_finn/32/4222_2.png) [@Dewey\_Finn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dewey_Finn)\ **Post date:** [January 23, 2015, 8:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/actors-either-gender-under-40-who-can-be-considered-a-list/710697/23 "2015-01-23T20:14:07Z")
> [@Nema98](#): > > One part of being an A List is when your name is a household name and very one knows your face. Pratt and Evans are not A List, they are newcomers. Having success in one year is not enough. That is akin to say just because an artist scored a number 1 hit this year is king/queen of pop. It takes while and that takes staying power. I think part of it is that the movie is promoted based on your name. ---
**Author:** ![Barkis\_is\_Willin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/a183cd/32.png) [@Barkis\_is\_Willin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Barkis_is_Willin)\ **Post date:** [January 23, 2015, 8:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/actors-either-gender-under-40-who-can-be-considered-a-list/710697/24 "2015-01-23T20:35:44Z")
Here are actors and actresses 40 and under on Forbes most powerful celebrities for 2014. 1. Jennifer Lawrence 24 2. Bradley Cooper 40 3. Leonardo DiCaprio 40 4. Ashton Kutcher 36 5. Angelina Jolie 39 6. Scarlett Johansson 30 7. Amy Adams 40 8. Kerry Washington 37 9. Zooey Deschanel 35 10. Lena Dunham 28 11. Kaley Cuoco 29 12. Natalie Portman 33 There are several who were listed in 2013 (Emma Stone, Mila Kunis, Kevin Hart, Charlize Theron, Kristen Stewart, and Channing Tatum, who dropped from #23 to nothing). ---
**Author:** ![Chronos](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chronos/32/134_2.png) [@Chronos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chronos)\ **Post date:** [January 23, 2015, 9:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/actors-either-gender-under-40-who-can-be-considered-a-list/710697/25 "2015-01-23T21:23:42Z")
> [@](#): > > Quoth **Barkis is Willin’** : > > I’d say Jennifer Lawrence is about as A-list as you can get. She’s definitely had huge success from the Hunger Games movies, but how much other success has she had? I’m a little reluctant to declare someone A-list just based on one franchise, no matter how successful (this is also why I was unsure about Chris Evans). ---
**Author:** ![Dewey\_Finn](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dewey_finn/32/4222_2.png) [@Dewey\_Finn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dewey_Finn)\ **Post date:** [January 23, 2015, 9:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/actors-either-gender-under-40-who-can-be-considered-a-list/710697/26 "2015-01-23T21:26:43Z")
Aside from two Golden Globe awards and an Academy Award? That sounds like success. ---
**Author:** ![Baron\_Greenback](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/baron_greenback/32/48_2.png) [@Baron\_Greenback](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Baron_Greenback)\ **Post date:** [January 23, 2015, 9:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/actors-either-gender-under-40-who-can-be-considered-a-list/710697/27 "2015-01-23T21:27:44Z")
> [@Chronos](#): > > She’s definitely had huge success from the Hunger Games movies, but how much other success has she had? She _does_ have a Best Actress Oscar, another Best Actress nomination, and a Best Supporting Actress nomination. She’s 24. ---
**Author:** ![Wolf333](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wolf333/32/3460_2.png) [@Wolf333](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wolf333)\ **Post date:** [January 23, 2015, 9:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/actors-either-gender-under-40-who-can-be-considered-a-list/710697/28 "2015-01-23T21:31:14Z")
> [@Baron\_Greenback](#): > > She _does_ have a Best Actress Oscar, another Best Actress nomination, and a Best Supporting Actress nomination. She’s 24. Plus the rebooted X-Men franchise and lead/supporting roles in two best picture nominees. Edit: Make that 3 best picture nominees ---
**Author:** ![actualliberalnotoneofthose](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/e79b87/32.png) [@actualliberalnotoneofthose](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/actualliberalnotoneofthose)\ **Post date:** [January 23, 2015, 9:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/actors-either-gender-under-40-who-can-be-considered-a-list/710697/29 "2015-01-23T21:46:00Z")
Scarlet and Lawrence are definitely A-List. Huge salaries, box office performance, and critical acclaim. Someone like Chris Evans isn’t a draw and has no salary requirements. I think he made a couple hundred grand for Captain America. A lot of these younger action guys are somewhat interchangeable. ---
**Author:** ![Little\_Nemo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/little_nemo/32/3120_2.png) [@Little\_Nemo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Little_Nemo)\ **Post date:** [January 23, 2015, 10:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/actors-either-gender-under-40-who-can-be-considered-a-list/710697/30 "2015-01-23T22:06:18Z")
> [@actualliberalnotoneofthose](#): > > Scarlet and Lawrence are definitely A-List. Huge salaries, box office performance, and critical acclaim. I agree. A movie like _Lucy_ or _Under the Skin_ is marketed as a Scarlett Johansson movie. She’s the draw. ---
**Author:** ![The\_Other\_Waldo\_Pepper](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/the_other_waldo_pepper/32/12370_2.png) [@The\_Other\_Waldo\_Pepper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Other_Waldo_Pepper)\ **Post date:** [January 23, 2015, 11:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/actors-either-gender-under-40-who-can-be-considered-a-list/710697/31 "2015-01-23T23:17:25Z")
> [@Zeldar](#): > > Since [Bradley Cooper](http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0177896/?ref_=nv_sr_1) just turned 40 on Jan/5 we could include those 40 and under who are in the Top Tier of working actors. Christian Bale has one whole week left. ---
**Author:** ![Zeldar](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/b77776/32.png) [@Zeldar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zeldar)\ **Post date:** [January 23, 2015, 11:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/actors-either-gender-under-40-who-can-be-considered-a-list/710697/32 "2015-01-23T23:56:40Z")
> [@The\_Other\_Waldo\_Pepper](#): > > Christian Bale has one whole week left. Have to wonder if/how he must be celebrating… ---
**Author:** ![It\_s\_Not\_Rocket\_Surgery](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/it_s_not_rocket_surgery/32/312_2.png) [@It\_s\_Not\_Rocket\_Surgery](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/It_s_Not_Rocket_Surgery)\ **Post date:** [January 24, 2015, 12:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/actors-either-gender-under-40-who-can-be-considered-a-list/710697/33 "2015-01-24T00:20:34Z")
> [@Zeldar](#): > > Have to wonder if/how he must be celebrating… Probably in a restaurant in Europe with Anne Hathaway. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Horatio\_Hellpop](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/e5b9ba/32.png) [@Horatio\_Hellpop](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Horatio_Hellpop)\ **Post date:** [January 24, 2015, 5:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/actors-either-gender-under-40-who-can-be-considered-a-list/710697/34 "2015-01-24T05:20:24Z")
Chloe Grace Moretz (Hit Girl) isn’t there yet, but will be shortly. She’s been the best, most watchable thing in every movie she’s ever been in, kind of like Jim Carrey was before **Ace Ventura**. Emma Watson, apart from the _Harry Potter_ gravy train, has made at least three movies that would never have been green-lit if she weren’t starring in them. Anyone who saw **The Bling Ring, The Perks of Being a Wallflower** or **This Is the End** did so because she was in them. They weren’t huge hits, but they didn’t lose money either. If she wasn’t A-list last year, she sure will be this year. ---
**Author:** ![Little\_Nemo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/little_nemo/32/3120_2.png) [@Little\_Nemo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Little_Nemo)\ **Post date:** [January 24, 2015, 5:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/actors-either-gender-under-40-who-can-be-considered-a-list/710697/35 "2015-01-24T05:52:43Z")
> [@Horatio\_Hellpop](#): > > Anyone who saw **The Bling Ring, The Perks of Being a Wallflower** or **This Is the End** did so because she was in them. Okay, the first two I’ll grant you. But you thought _This Is The End_ was an Emma Watson vehicle? ---
**Author:** ![Horatio\_Hellpop](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/e5b9ba/32.png) [@Horatio\_Hellpop](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Horatio_Hellpop)\ **Post date:** [January 24, 2015, 6:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/actors-either-gender-under-40-who-can-be-considered-a-list/710697/36 "2015-01-24T06:50:43Z")
> [@Little\_Nemo](#): > > Okay, the first two I’ll grant you. But you thought _This Is The End_ was an Emma Watson vehicle? It was a piece of crap I only watched because she was in it. Did you see it for some other reason? ---
**Author:** ![ISiddiqui](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/97f17d/32.png) [@ISiddiqui](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ISiddiqui)\ **Post date:** [January 24, 2015, 6:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/actors-either-gender-under-40-who-can-be-considered-a-list/710697/37 "2015-01-24T06:53:59Z")
I’m pretty sure most people (including myself) saw it for the Rogan/Franco film. Watson was a fun add along. ---
**Author:** ![Horatio\_Hellpop](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/e5b9ba/32.png) [@Horatio\_Hellpop](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Horatio_Hellpop)\ **Post date:** [January 24, 2015, 6:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/actors-either-gender-under-40-who-can-be-considered-a-list/710697/38 "2015-01-24T06:56:46Z")
Okay. I, a former longtime resident of South Korea, skipped **The Interview**. If she’d been in it, maybe I’d have made the effort. ---
**Author:** ![ISiddiqui](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/97f17d/32.png) [@ISiddiqui](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ISiddiqui)\ **Post date:** [January 24, 2015, 7:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/actors-either-gender-under-40-who-can-be-considered-a-list/710697/39 "2015-01-24T07:03:16Z")
Also the other issue with Watson is that The Bling Ring and Perks of Being a Wallflower really didn’t make that much money ($20mil for Bling Ring, $33mil for Perks). While they made money, that’s hardly the level that A-list actors can bring in for a movie. The movies where she’s a supporting role recently (the aforementioned This is the End and Noah) made tons more - End making $126mil and Noah making $362mil. ---
**Author:** ![Horatio\_Hellpop](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/e5b9ba/32.png) [@Horatio\_Hellpop](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Horatio_Hellpop)\ **Post date:** [January 24, 2015, 7:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/actors-either-gender-under-40-who-can-be-considered-a-list/710697/40 "2015-01-24T07:55:22Z")
I think the defining elements of an A-lister are: –$1million or more per picture –Over-the-title billing –Movies do or don’t get made largely on the actor’s involvement –The actor’s phone calls to major directors and producers are taken or returned promptly Which of these elements doesn’t apply to Emma Watson? Even DeNiro makes the occasional _Stardust_. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/actors-either-gender-under-40-who-can-be-considered-a-list/710697.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/actors-either-gender-under-40-who-can-be-considered-a-list/710697.md?page=3)