MAGIC MATT

Matthew McConaughey's McConaissance May Be One of the Most Successful Reinventions in Hollywood History

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Sometimes, reinvention in Hollywood is not just a choice - it is a necessity to reinvigorate or revive one's acting career. Some of the most enduring actors in the industry have had to redefine themselves to escape typecasting and prove they are more than just one kind of performer. But this is no easy task. Audiences who have grown to love an actor for a certain persona may not take too kindly to them ruining a well-loved image. The rejection can spell the death knell for an actor's career.

Take the example of Meg Ryan. As one of the biggest female romantic comedy (rom-com) stars in the late 80s and the 90s, Ryan was unrivalled in her box office successes. For over a decade, her name was guaranteed box office when attached to a rom-com. While she also did other genres, those films could not compare to her rom-com hits. And then Ryan decided to break out of her mould by starring in the 2003 erotic thriller In the Cut. The movie bombed and Ryan's career never recovered - even when she tried to make amends by going back to rom-coms. Jim Carrey, to a lesser degree, is another example of an actor who have failed to reinvent himself. While Carrey has proven himself to be very capable of outstanding work in movies that combine drama with comedy, he has largely failed to impress audiences in his darker roles.

On the other hand, while there have been plenty of actors who have failed to transition to other genres, there are also many cases of successful rebranding in Hollywood. For example, Bryan Cranston managed to morph from sitcom dad in Malcolm in the Middle to the menacing Walter White in Breaking Bad. Tom Hanks, once known primarily for his light-hearted comedies, transformed into an acting heavyweight when he starred in 1993's AIDS drama Philadelphia. In more recent times, Robert Pattinson shed his Twilight heartthrob persona to become an indie darling and eventually, the brooding Batman.