Talent is never lacking in Hollywood, but the current level may be at an all-time high. With numerous streaming outlets, studios, and media productions, more and more stars have the opportunity to put their name out there. Between up-and-coming directors and skilled actors from across the globe, the projects coming in the next few months are bound to build the names of these extremely talented stars. Here are some of the names most inclined to be the breakout stars of the year!
Here are the 5 breakout stars of the year!
Glen Powell
After starring in Set it Up, Scream Queens, and Hidden Figures during the early stages of his career, Glen Powell broke into a whole new atmosphere in 2022. Starring in Devotion alongside Jonathan Majors, as well as Best Picture Nominee Top Gun: Maverick, Powell was introduced to millions around the world. However, his best work may be ahead of him.
If you can think of any fan cast involving an arrogant superhero, Glen is probably in the conversation. Fans (me included) are begging for him to join the MCU! Roles such as Cyclops and Johnny Storm seem like a perfect fit. However, in James Gunn’s new DCU, Booster Gold seems to be what’s catching Powell’s eye. In an interview with Ash Crossan, Glen states that he’s researched and is interested in playing the character!
With all of these potential roles still up for grabs, and the recent news that he will be starring in a new rom-com alongside Sydney Sweeney, it’s only a matter of time before Glen Powell takes over Hollywood.
Gina Prince-Bythewood
Power, ingenuity, and elegance are all elements that Gina Prince-Bythewood brings to her films. When looking at up-and-coming directors in the industry, none stick out as much as her. With just a few feature films under her belt as a director, GPB continues to deliver great projects. The Old Guard in 2020, starring Charlize Theron, is a phenomenal example of this.
Putting her stamp on the superhero genre, Gina Prince-Bythewood delivers with claustrophobic action and breathtaking scenery. She proves her excellence again with The Woman King, delivering a big screen blockbuster and one of the most passionate films of the year.
Both of these films are excellent directorial entries into her résumé, and many people believe she should have been nominated for Best Director at this year’s Oscars for her work on The Woman King. The way she displays landscapes and incorporates emotion into every shot is extremely impressive, and a huge part of why she is so accomplished in such a short time. With all the potential in the world, it might not be long before we see GPB take home that prize!
Stephanie Hsu
If you were to go back and pick one breakout star from 2022, you would be amiss to not look toward Stephanie Hsu. After a brief role in 2021’s Shang Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings, Hsu reached a new level of stardom in Everything Everywhere All at Once, earning an Oscar nomination for her performance.
The vitality and charisma she brings to the role is awe-inspiring, and her chemistry with Michelle Yeoh is near unstoppable. This is fantastic news for fans as the two will reunite in the Daniel Destin Cretton produced, American-Born Chinese in 2023!
The passion she brings to each performance is incredible, and she’s exceptional at winning over the audience whether she’s the hero or the antagonist. Hot off a tantalizing performance in the Peacock original series Poker Face, and with roles alongside Ryan Gosling and Adam Sandler on the way, everyone should start to take notice of Hsu as one of the breakout stars of 2023.
Mia Goth
The horror genre has always been great at producing stars—names like Jamie Lee Curtis, Jenna Ortega, and Kevin Bacon all made their names in horror. Over the last year, Mia Goth made it clear she wants to stamp her name on that list as well. After starring in Ti West’s X in early 2022, Mia Goth stunned as the titular character of the sequel, Pearl.
Goth uses her emotion to make her characters more relatable, maintaining an eerie and off-beat vibe. This is something few can do at such a high level, and it is very effective in producing fear and mystery. Mia Goth has already starred in Infinity Pool this year, and with the third film in the trilogy MaXXXine set to premiere, we may leave 2023 with a new queen of scream.
Joseph Quinn
Stranger Things has birthed countless stars, but none of them possess the rock star qualities of Joseph Quinn. After a few appearances in Game of Thrones and other projects, Joseph Quinn became a household name in 2022. Starring as fan favorite Eddie in Stranger Things 4, Quinn stole the hearts of millions around the world. His charisma and ability to jam like he’s in Metallica make him one of the biggest breakout stars of the year, and that momentum isn’t slowing down anytime soon.
His next project is the prequel, A Quiet Place: Day One, set before the events of the A Quiet Place films. This film serves as an opportunity for Joseph Quinn to match the prowess of Lupita Nyongo. Working in a project where most of the scenes are silent takes skill, but with Quinn’s brilliance, he will continue to show why he is Hollywood’s new resident rock star.
Cheers to the breakout stars of the year!
With their unmeasurable talent, the ceiling for these breakout stars is unlimited; and with more content than ever before, more stars will continue to make their presence felt in Hollywood. The talent pool of directors, writers, and actors is endless, leading to better content across the board!
What other stars do you want to see breakout in 2023? Let me know on Twitter and check out new Fandom Academy episodes every Tuesday!
