All Hollywood Mock Draft

With the NFL draft quickly approaching, the staff here would like to bring you our first ever AA Mock Draft!!  Now, this particular mock draft will be done a little bit differently than most you read on the web or see on TV.  I’m sorry, but there will be no Mel Kiper Jr. or Todd McShay breakdowns of the different players.  I thought however, in the interest of having fun (and also not being so well versed upon the needs of the teams and the scouting reports of the prospects), we would give you the internet’s first ever (or so we think, don’t quote us on it) all-Hollywood mock draft.  This is mock draft will operate under the assumption that 20 directors/producers are all making a film at the same time and they are having a draft to chose the actors who are playing the roles in their movies (interestingly, wouldn’t you think this concept would make for excellent television?)  Hopefully what this will accomplish is show who are the biggest stars in Hollywood right now and who we think would not only sell tickets but own are the most talented performers.  I will however note that these choice are made by my perception of how these actors are perceived by Hollywood producers and/or the public.   So these are choices of whom I think would be drafted in what order but my opinions on their full potential will be noted and it may not necessarily reflect who I think is the better actor.  So without further ado... 

With the first pick of the 2012 AA all-Hollywood mock draft….

1.     Leonardo Dicaprio

Yes, we understand that the first pick is somewhat controversial, and a lot of other actors could have gone here.  We think Leo is the safest pick here.  You know what you are getting with him: Big time star power, still rather young, and only continues to produce Hollywood hits. 

2.     Ryan Gosling

Taking Gosling at #2 is a definite reach but is there anyone in Hollywood right now that has a bigger upside than Gosling?  He had a HUGE 2011 with Ides of March, Crazy Stupid Love, and Drive.  His  full range of acting ability really blossomed with these movies.  He is a prime candidate to be a bust, but with such a high ceiling, too good to pass up at #2

3.     Christian Bale

I think Bale goes third strictly because of his acting alone.  I don’t think he possesses the star quality that the first 2 picks have but he has the ability to turn a mediocre movie into a good or even great one.  Not many actors have this trait and therefore I think he doesn’t make it past #3

4.     Matt Damon

As for Damon going 4^th, this is definitely a reputation pick.  He has solid movies and will continue to draw crowds, but as of late the direction his movies hasn’t been good with things like Adjustment Bureau and Here After.  This pick definitely could be seen as a stretch at #4.

5.     Johnny Depp

Depp at #5 is probably no real shock.  He is a little older and I think that hurts his value but his acting abilities don’t go away with age.  He has a lot of lovable characters, so we think the top 5 is where he belongs

6.     Jeremy Renner

Other than Gosling, it is hard to find many other people gaining as much steam as Renner in Hollywood right now.  This pick is definitely one based off potential, but if he continues to land big time action roles, look out, Renner could end up being a steal at #6

7.     Mark Wahlberg

BUST ALERT!  Whalberg at #7, we think, is vastly overrating his talents.  However, there seems to be a growing sense that producers are starting to believe that he is an accomplished actor.  We don’t think he deserves it, but it would shock us if someone lets him fall out of the top 10

8.     Brad Pitt

I like Pitt going in the #7-#10 range, I think that is what he deserves, and is probably where he will go.  One of those guys you know what you are getting with him, and is solid on all facets acting (comedy, drama, action, romance).  You name it he can do it and do it pretty well.

9.     James Franco

We think Franco slips into the top 10 at #9 only because of the fact he has shown such versatility and promise so far during his career.  However, he may lack the qualities of being a true star, only time will tell.

10. Zach Galifianakis

The first “true” comedy actor we think comes off the board at #10, Galifianakis had a huge 2009 with Hangover, but his super start status has lessened since.  Still think someone will reach here and take him at #10 with his upside being somewhere in the Chris Farley/Jim Belushi range.

Here are the rest of our picks with short analysis:

11. Will Smith - solid movies, talented actor, not enough of a track record though to warrant top 10

12.  Ed Norton - extremely talented, not much star power, but a possible top 10 pick

13. Robert Downey Jr. - Iron Man's age hurts him, still a top 15 actor though, 

14.  Sandra Bullock - probably most talented woman actor in Hollywood today wouldn't be surprised to see her go as high as #6 or #7

15.  Michael Fassbender - Biggest surprise of the draft, relative unkown who had a big year, could be a steal at #15 or a huge bust

16. Kristen Wiig - arguably funniest woman in Hollywood right now, definite steal anywhere out of the top 10

17.  Will Ferrell - large fan base, guaranatees butts in the seats, would be a safe pick at #17

18.  Russel Crowe - Brings it some roles and doesn't in others, inconsistency drops him out of top 15

19. Ryan Reynolds - up and coming comedy actor that is starting to show versatility, arguably a top 15 talent, but not a long enough track record, we expect to see him fall to #19

20. Adam Sandler - Continues to knock out mediocre comedies, definite stretch at #20, but we think he lands here based off his track record of classic comedic performances

Love it, hate it, but this is how we think an all Hollywood draft would go.