Andrew's Most Promising Up and Comers

Lately, I've been noticing some names that have been popping up in casting notices and links more often than others. So today, I'm gonna do something a little different. If my calculations are on the money, these are some of the names that will become much more common over the next two years.

Chris Pratt- He is most well known for playing the goofy, lovable man-child Andy Dwyer on NBC's Parks and Recreation. But lately, he's been switching up and playing roles that go against his type such as Scott Hatteburg in the Brad Pitt hit Moneyball. He lost a significant amount of weight to portray a member of Seal Team Six in Zero Dark Thirty. In 2014, he will finally headline his own feature Marvel's Guardians of the Galaxy as team leader Star-Lord. He has been linked to other films such as the upcoming movie Jurassic World. Be sure to keep an eye on this one.

Michael B. Jordan- I know what you're thinking, but no, he is not the world renowned Chicago Bulls All-Star/Merchandising mogul. He is a young, promising star who you may remember as the drug dealer Wallace on The Wire or as Vince Howard in the show Friday Night Lights. But over the past couple years, he has generated a significant amount of buzz. He gave a memorable turn as Steve in Chronicle, and an extremely noteworthy nuanced and brilliant performance as shooting victim Oscar Grant in Fruitvale Station. He's already been given some Oscar buzz, and has been positively linked to some of the most anticipated movies.

Aaron Paul- Odds are you've seen Breaking Bad, and you're familiar with who this next one is. But if you haven't, you should know that he has helped create one of the most interesting and developed characters in recent television history. His turn as Jesse Pinkman has already become a cultural sensation, and has made him one of Hollywood's most bankable stars. He will be making the crossover to cinema next March in the adaptation of the video game Need for Speed and he will play the holy Joshua in Ridley Scott's biblical epic Exodus. His television audience will likely follow him over, and soon he will develop another following in the cinema.

Elizabeth Olsen- The forgotten Olsen sister of Mary Kate and Ashley, she is only recently coming to the surface of recognition. With a memorable performance in director Josh Radnor's film Liberal Arts, and Spike Lee's remake of the Korean cult film Oldboy, she started to emerge as one of the most promising starlets. In the next year, she will be the leading lady in the Warner Brothers reboot of Godzilla, and she has just recently been cast as the Scarlet Witch in the most anticipated movie of the next 2 years The Avengers: Age of Ultron. So this is another who will most likely find herself on director short-lists in the coming years.

Kit Harrington- One of top billed stars in fantasy series Game of Thrones, Kit has made a name for himself as the bastard Jon Snow. His performance has been both chilling, and flawed in a way that makes the show relatable to younger viewers. He is consistently ranked one of the most interesting parts of the program. Next year, he (like Aaron) will make the crossover to cinematic leading man in the new historical epic Pompeii, and movie studios are trying to get their hands on him for his cult following.

Frank Grillo- One of the older actors on the list, he still has a lot to offer. He fits the type of the aggressive mercenary type, playing supporting roles in recent films Zero Dark Thirty, The Grey, End of Watch, Homefront and Disconnect. He may find himself typecast, but even if he does fall into that hole, he will be spectacular at it. Look out for him as Crossbones in Captain America: The Winter Soldier.

Emilia Clarke- Ranked as one of the most beautiful women on Earth, Emilia has also developed a Game of Thrones following as Daenerys Targaryen, The Mother of Dragons. Like Sigourney Weaver before her, she has created one of the most powerful women in media. She is strong, independent, and does not let people push her around, and that has turned her portrayer into one of the most hotly pursued assets in Hollywood. Her name has been attached to play Sarah Connor in the upcoming Terminator sequel. Like Olsen, expect her to become one of the biggest actresses in the coming years.

Nicholas Hoult- You may just recognize him as the boy who dated Jennifer Lawrence, but he is quickly carving out his own niche. From his leading roles in Warm Bodies and Jack the Giant Slayer to his supporting role as Beast in the X-Men films, Hoult is a blossoming flower of talent that studios are trying to pick.