Child actors face an unpredictable future in the industry, with some making the leap to become successful adult actors, while others choose a different path. The journey can be especially challenging for young stars who gained fame through popular franchises like Harry Potter. Once the franchise concludes, they often find it difficult to break free from the shadow of their initial role.
However, there are numerous instances of actors who kick-started their careers as children or teenagers and went on to have fulfilling and extensive professions. Kurt Russell and Josh Brolin serve as perfect examples of individuals who skillfully navigated this journey.
Witnessing a former child actor metamorphose into an action hero can be incredibly thrilling. It adds an extra level of excitement when you recall how adorable they were in their earlier roles. And it becomes even more exhilarating when an actor has portrayed both child and adult characters in action movies, giving us two distinct perspectives in high-stakes tales.
1. Josh Brolin In ‘The Goonies’ And The Marvel Cinematic Universe
The Goonies is a timeless classic adventure film that tells the story of a group of kids who embark on a mission to save their homes from foreclosure by searching for a hidden treasure. This film marked the beginning of the successful careers of several well-known actors, including Josh Brolin. In his first film role, Brolin portrayed the tough older brother and mentor, Brandon Walsh. At just 17 years old, Brolin guided the younger kids through their journey, while evading the evil Fratelli family and ultimately discovering an underground pirate ship.
Fast forward to the 2010s, and we see Josh Brolin taking on pivotal roles in some of the biggest action films in history within the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Brolin brought the character of Thanos to life across multiple movies, but his standout performances were in Avengers: Infinity War and Avengers: Endgame. In these films, Thanos masterminded a plan to gather the powerful Infinity Stones and wipe out half of all life in the universe. Although Thanos has been defeated, there is a possibility that Brolin might return to the MCU if he reprises his role as Cable in the upcoming Deadpool 3, which will merge the Deadpool films with Marvel’s continuity.
2. Natalie Portman In ‘Léon: The Professional’ And ‘Thor: Love & Thunder’
Natalie Portman’s acting journey spans a significant portion of her life. It all began with her impressive debut in the action-packed movie Léon: The Professional. The film revolves around a hitman, portrayed by Jean Reno, who takes in a young girl named Mathilde. Natalie Portman’s portrayal of Mathilde seeking vengeance against the DEA agent responsible for her family’s death, played by Gary Oldman, garnered well-deserved praise. This breakthrough role opened up numerous opportunities for her.
Over the years, Portman dabbled in a few action and sci-fi projects, including her portrayal of Padmé in the prequel Star Wars trilogy. However, she rarely had the chance to engage in action scenes directly. This all changed in the highly anticipated Thor: Love and Thunder released in 2022. Portman’s recurring character, Jane Foster, underwent a significant transformation as she gained the powers of Thor, ultimately becoming a superhero herself.
3. Chloe Grace Moretz In ‘Kick-Ass’ And ‘Shadow in the Cloud’
Chloë Grace Moretz’s career took an interesting turn at a young age. At just 13 years old, she starred as Mindy Macready in Kick-Ass, a role that was far from suitable for children. Unlike the typical roles for young actors in superhero movies, Mindy, also known as Hit-Girl, was a force to be reckoned with. She was a deadly vigilante who learned tactics and weapons skills from her father, Big Daddy, played by Nicolas Cage. The R-rated film was filled with gore and bad language, and Moretz definitely had her fair share of action scenes.
Fast forward to 2020, Moretz found herself in a new kind of role in the movie Shadow in the Cloud. Set during World War II, Moretz played a fighter pilot with a twist. She not only had to navigate the ongoing combat but also had to fight off a gremlin attacking her plane. On top of that, she had to keep her true identity a secret from the hostile forces surrounding her. The film combined fantasy elements with a historical setting, which might not be everyone’s cup of tea. However, Moretz delivered a fantastic performance as a grown-up action hero.
Overall, Moretz has proven herself to be a versatile actress, taking on roles that challenge her and push boundaries. From a young girl kicking butt in Kick-Ass to a fighter pilot battling supernatural creatures in Shadow in the Cloud, her talent and dedication shine through.
4. Elijah Wood In ‘The Adventures of Huck Finn’ And ‘The Lord of the Rings’ Trilogy
Before Elijah Wood became the huge star he is today, he took on the role of Huckleberry Finn at the age of 12. In 1993, Disney released The Adventures of Huck Finn, their version of Mark Twain’s well-known novel, with Wood playing the mischievous young boy who embarks on a journey with an escaped slave named Jim, brilliantly portrayed by Courtney B. Vance. Together, they form a strong bond as they navigate the Mississippi River, facing con men and mobsters while helping each other survive.
When you look at Huck Finn, it’s evident why Elijah Wood eventually landed the role of Frodo Baggins in Peter Jackson’s Lord of the Rings trilogy. Both characters spend a significant amount of time running around barefoot in nature, both enjoy smoking a pipe, and both possess a certain level of childlike innocence. Of course, The Lord of the Rings involved much grander spectacles as the Fellowship battled the forces of evil to protect Middle-earth from Sauron. Nevertheless, Wood skillfully maneuvered the fantasy battles with the same charm that made him such a remarkable Huck.
5. Kurt Russell In ‘Guns of Diablo’ And ‘Escape From New York’
Kurt Russell began his acting career at the age of 11, making occasional appearances on various TV shows. Eventually, he landed a major role in the series The Travels of Jaimie McPheeters. The show followed the journey of a young boy and his father as they traveled to California in 1849. Notably, the legendary Western star Charles Bronson also starred in the series as the leader of the wagon train. The show’s final episode was later turned into a film called Guns of Diablo, which served as Russell’s first credited feature-length film appearance. This marked the beginning of his remarkable career.
As Russell matured, he went on to become one of the prominent action heroes of his era, thanks to his collaboration with director John Carpenter on Escape from New York. Released in 1981, the film is set in a dystopian future version of Manhattan, which has been transformed into a maximum-security prison. Russell portrays the character of Snake Plissken, a prisoner who is offered a chance at freedom if he can successfully rescue the president from the prison city. This breakout hit paved the way for Russell to reprise his role in the 1996 sequel Escape from L.A., as well as numerous other action-packed movies throughout his career.
6. Drew Barrymore In ‘Firestarter’ And ‘Charlie’s Angels’
Drew Barrymore has had an impressively long career in the entertainment industry, starting at the tender age of three. One of her early breakthroughs came in the 1984 film Firestarter, which was based on Stephen King’s novel of the same name. In this film, Barrymore portrayed Charlie, a young girl who possesses the extraordinary ability to manipulate heat and fire. The storyline revolves around Charlie’s parents, who gained superpowers in their youth through a scientific experiment. As various individuals attempt to control Charlie and exploit her powers as a weapon, she courageously uses her fire-controlling abilities to protect herself against these malicious adults. Although the film received negative reviews from critics, it did not hinder the promising trajectory of young Drew Barrymore’s career.
Fast forward about 16 years later, and Barrymore found herself starring in yet another action-packed film titled Charlie’s Angels, where she portrayed the character of Dylan Sanders, one of the three iconic Angels. This movie was a comedic reimagining of the beloved Charlie’s Angels TV series and focused on three new female leads, including Barrymore, Cameron Diaz, and Lucy Liu, who worked for Charlie’s private detective agency. The film skillfully blended satire and heartfelt moments, all while showcasing the Angels in their stylish and fashionable outfits. This revival was met with great success and remains one of Barrymore’s most memorable action roles, further solidifying her status as a versatile and accomplished actress in the industry.
7. Daniel Radcliffe In The ‘Harry Potter’ Franchise And ‘Guns Akimbo’
Daniel Radcliffe may have taken on various roles since his time as Harry Potter, but it’s still hard not to remember where he started. From ages 12 to 22, Radcliffe grew up on screen as the iconic boy wizard in the Harry Potter franchise. Throughout the series, he faced thrilling challenges like competing in Quidditch matches and battling dangerous creatures like the venomous Basilisk in the Chamber of Secrets.
Instead of sticking to big-budget blockbusters, Radcliffe has deliberately chosen to diversify the types of movies he appears in. He has starred in a number of unconventional indie films, including the action-comedy Guns Akimbo. Released in 2020, this peculiar flick showcases Radcliffe as Miles Lee Harris, a character who gets kidnapped and forced into a live-streamed death match for daring to criticize the organizers. In this twisted scenario, the evil group goes to the extreme of nailing guns to Miles’s hands, pitting him against seasoned killers for the amusement of online viewers. It’s safe to say that this role is a significant departure from the whimsical world of Harry Potter, but Radcliffe seems to relish the opportunity to explore grittier and more extreme characters.
8. Kirsten Dunst In ‘Jumanji’ And The ‘Spider-Man’ Franchise
Kirsten Dunst, known for her various roles in comedies and dramas, started her acting journey at a young age. At just 13 years old, she made her mark in the original Jumanji film. In this movie, Dunst portrayed the character of Judy Shepherd, who along with her brother, gets caught up in a thrilling adventure when they play a board game that unexpectedly brings dangerous creatures into their peaceful suburban home.
After exploring different genres, Dunst returned to the action scene in 2002 with her role as Mary Jane Watson in the first Spider-Man film. This was a significant step for her, as it was her first time being part of a major action franchise. Throughout the trilogy, Dunst shared the screen with Tobey Maguire, who played the iconic character of Peter Parker. Although she didn’t have many opportunities to showcase her own heroics, Dunst was involved in intense scenes, such as when Spider-Man saves her, along with a tram car full of innocent people, from a perilous fall off a bridge.
9. Josh Hutcherson In ‘Zathura’ And ‘The Hunger Games’
Josh Hutcherson, a talented child star, began his acting career at the young age of 10. One of his earliest ventures into the action genre was in the movie Zathura: A Space Adventure. This film follows a group of kids who stumble upon a sci-fi board game that becomes a reality, and many people fondly compare it to “Jumanji in space.” Hutcherson’s character successfully guides his family home through dangerous meteor showers. As a young actor, he also appeared in other action-packed films, such as Journey to the Center of the Earth.
As Hutcherson grew older, his career continued to thrive as he transitioned from child roles to more mature ones. Perhaps one of his most prominent action roles was in the young adult series Hunger Games, where he portrayed Peeta Mellark. In this series, he joins forces with Jennifer Lawrence’s character, Katniss Everdeen, as they participate in the intense and deadly Hunger Games. Hutcherson’s portrayal of the good-natured baker, who struggles to keep up with Katniss and her archery skills, not only propelled him to undeniable fame but also captured the hearts of fans.
10. Ethan Hawke In ‘Explorers’ And ‘Daybreakers’
Most people know Ethan Hawke from his standout roles in movies like Training Day and Boyhood. But did you know that he actually began his career in the sci-fi adventure film Explorers when he was just 15? In the movie, Hawke starred alongside the late River Phoenix as two young boys who build a spaceship and befriend aliens who only know Earth through TV shows. Although the film was a flop at first, it has gained a cult following over the years, thanks in part to the talented young actors.
As Hawke grew older, he started taking on more mature action films like Daybreakers in 2009. This film combines elements of sci-fi, action, and horror, portraying a future where vampires have taken over and are hunting down the remaining human population. Hawke’s character is a vampire who sympathizes with humans and seeks a blood substitute for sustenance. Daybreakers has a unique genre blend that appealed to a niche audience, and Hawke’s portrayal of an antihero was one of its strengths.
11. Logan Lerman In ‘Percy Jackson & the Olympians: The Lightning Thief’ And ‘Fury’
Logan Lerman’s career took off at a young age with his first film, The Patriot, at just 8 years old. However, it was his role as the lead in Percy Jackson & The Olympians: The Lightning Thief at 18 that really made waves. While Lerman gave his all as the beloved demigod hero on a quest to retrieve Zeus’s stolen lightning bolt, changes to the plot left fans of the book series disappointed. This led to the sequel being rushed, resulting in a hasty conclusion to what could have been a longer series.
Following the disappointment of Percy Jackson, Lerman took on a completely different kind of action movie with Fury, set during World War II. In the film, he portrays Norman Ellison, a young US trooper who is deeply affected by the deaths of his fellow soldiers and the horrors of war. Fury received much better reception from both audiences and critics, allowing Lerman to regain favor in the eyes of serious film enthusiasts.
