Many A-list actors have turned to directing, with the recent announcement of Harry Potter star Daniel Radcliffe regarding his plans to become a director. Stars like Ben Affleck and Tom Hanks used their talents behind the camera to great effect and the public appreciated his efforts.
Ranker fans voted for films in which the actors made their directorial debuts. That includes everyone from comedians Danny DeVito to Jordan Peele to martial artists like Bruce Lee. It’s interesting to see how his early movies rank according to viewers.
ben affleck
Gone Baby Gone (2007) – Streaming on HBO Max
Ben Affleck’s career takes a turn with the release of Man of the world Y sweater girlbut the actor reinvigorated it with his directorial debut gone baby gone. The story, which Affleck had also written, is about a private detective who faces the case of the mysterious disappearance of a young woman that has everyone perplexed.
gone baby gone it was a great critical acclaim and also a success with the public. Casey Affleck’s performance was praised in the title role, with praise directed at Ben Affleck for creating an environment for the leading man to shine. He followed it up with bigger movies in The city Y ArgoY gone baby gone it was the ideal launch pad.
billy bob thorton
Sling Blade (1996) – Currently not available for streaming
slingshot blade Billy Bob Thornton won the Oscar for Best Screenplay, and Thornton also directed and starred in the film. It is about Karl, a man with mental health problems who leaves the hospital years after killing his cruel mother and becomes the father figure of another child with the same problem.
The film was praised for the way it handled a sensitive subject matter and a morally ambiguous lead. Thornton’s direction was welcomed primarily because of how well he managed to get viewers to see things from Karl’s perspective, which was an incredibly difficult task given the character’s backstory.
Bradley Cooper
A Star Is Born (2018) – Rental on AMC On Demand
Among the most popular romantic movies of the last decade, Bradley Cooper made his directorial debut in a remake of the classic film. A star has been born is about singer-songwriter Jack Maine, who falls in love with singer Ally and helps her become a star; although his personal demons turn out to be a great obstacle for both of them.
A star has been born was praised for the way Bradley Cooper incorporated music into the story, with several songs reflecting the emotions of the leads. Cooper also received praise for bringing out the best in Lady Gaga, who was primarily known as a singer at the time, but shone in the lead role.
kevin costner
Dances with Wolves (1990) – Streaming on HBO Max
Kevin Costner set the benchmark for actors making their directorial debuts with dance with wolves, an epic western set in the sprawling landscape of the American frontier. The film is about Lieutenant John J. Dunbar, who is accepted by the indigenous Lakota people and helps them against the Union soldiers trying to take the land from him.
dance with wolves it turned out to be a huge commercial success due to critical acclaim and the star power of Kevin Costner. Audiences were pleasantly surprised by his direction, which focused on environmental cinematography to make viewers feel the landscape that the protagonist is a part of.
danny devito
Throw Momma off the Train (1987) – Streaming on Roku Channel
Danny DeVito had directed the short film The sale of Vince D’Angelo and tv movie the odds gamebut his film debut was with Throw mom off the train. It’s a black comedy about two hapless writers who conspire to kill each other’s wife and mother, but are hilariously incompetent.
throw mom off the train did not fire reviews, but turned out to be well received by viewers. Fans loved DeVito’s trademark performance as the man with a short fuse, while Billy Crystal’s sweet personality served as a nice balance. The film also laid the groundwork for many other similar black comedies to follow in the years to come.
Jordan Pele
Get Out (2017) – Rental on AMC On Demand
Jordan Peele conquered the world with his first film, which earned him the Oscar for best screenplay. Fans were fascinated by the many hidden details in Salt, which is a horror film about the kidnapping of a young black man by white men who are trying to transplant his brains into his body.
Jordan Peele was widely known as a comedian before Salt and many were frightened Salt it was. The film’s success helped him make the transition from acting to directing horrors in what is a career change few would have seen coming.
harold ramis
Caddyshack (1980) – Streaming on HBO Max
Harold Ramis was known for starring in sketch comedy. Second City Television before his directorial debut with caddyshack, and has since been widely known for appearing on ghost Busters. caddyshack is considered a classic of the comedy genre and is about a group of crazy golfers who resort to bizarre means to win a golf tournament.
Ramis’ direction has received more praise from viewers than from critics, as audiences are generally charmed by the slapstick comedy found in caddyshack. It’s a movie that can’t be taken seriously, and it’s bolstered by the presence of comedians like Rodney Dangerfield, Chevy Chase, and Bill Murray.
Orson Welles
Citizen Kane (1941) – Streaming on HBO Max
Orson Welles is an interesting case because the actor’s debut is also his first film direction. Generally considered by critics to be the best film ever made, Citizen Kane chronicles the rise and fall of tycoon Charles Foster Kane, examining the life he led until his death and why he uttered the word “Rosebud” in his final moments.
The film is a rarity in how it has stood the test of time and captivated audiences for nearly a century. Fans admire Welles’s dedication to making this a sprawling story that spans decades, as he creates an authentic atmosphere through makeup and stunning set design.
tom hank
That Thing You Do! (1996) – Broadcast on Starz
Amos White is a Tom Hanks role that people rarely talk about because the actor doesn’t play the lead as White is the manager of The Wonders. That Thing You Do!on the other hand, it’s a movie many know for the Oscar-nominated song of the same name and the feel-good story of a one-hit band.
Hanks was already a household name due to his superstar status and he impressed many with this entertaining movie musical. Since then, the actor has returned to direct just once with the 2011 films. larry crownso That Thing You Do! it remains popular for being Hanks’ creative turn behind the scenes.
Bruce Lee
The Way Of The Dragon (1972) – Currently unavailable for streaming
Bruce Lee made two movies during his lifetime, but the second one was never completed due to his sudden death. The debut of the actor and martial artist was a mega success, with the path of the dragon featuring his iconic fight with Chuck Norris that propelled the latter into the public eye in his first role.
Posted as the return of the dragon in the United States, the film is notable for bringing a comedic edge to Lee’s performance that most were unaccustomed to. It has great action sequences that are entertaining to watch to this day. Lee’s stellar value is evident in the way she delivers a highly directed, combat-based movie of the highest quality.
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