Each new year sees a range of young actors inch ever closer to superstardom. Some young actors seem destined for greatness right from the get-go (see Jennifer Lawrence in Winter's Bone), while others are required to work their way up the proverbial ladder by building a resume of electric performances in a variety of different film projects.
The actors featured in the below list of 10 promising movie stars under 30 all seem to be on the right path to achieving major success in Hollywood, with some only virtually a film or two away from becoming household names. Regardless of where these stars are currently sitting on their career path, there's no doubt that they're some of the industry's top prospects.
Letitia Wright
Before Letitia Wright was cast in the role of a lifetime as Shuri in Marvel Studios' The Commuter. Prior to that, she had starred in several TV mini-series', but it wasn't until she got the call from Marvel that her career trajectory seemingly skyrocketed overnight.
Wright completely owned the Death on the Nile from director Kenneth Branagh, based on the classic Agatha Christie mystery tale.
Dacre Montgomery
Dacre Montgomery is best known for his work on TV's Jason, the Red Ranger. While Montgomery's star power is mostly based on his TV work, being cast as the lead in Power Rangers, which itself is a hugely popular global franchise, is a sure-fire sign that he's well on his way to hitting the big time on the film circuit.
Montgomery is next slated to appear in the romance film The Broken Heart Gallery from director Natalie Krinsky, which seems fitting considering his heartthrob status amongst fans. At only 25 years of age, the sky's the limit for the young actor from Perth in Western Australia.
Samara Weaving
Another Australian-born actor well on her way to superstardom is Samara Weaving, who's becoming somewhat of a Ready or Not. Weaving has a natural ability for playing strong, edgy lead characters with a penchant for violence; a trait that seems to be in high demand in the 2020s.
She can next be seen in the bonkers action-comedy film Bill & Ted Face the Music. Being cast next to Keanu Reeves in that film is sure to raise her profile amongst the mainstream moviegoing audience.
Elizabeth Debicki
Elizabeth Debicki's path to superstardom is well in effect, having recently starred in the smash-hit Widows, proving her range as an actor.
She's yet to be cast as a leading lady, however, but her name is in the minds of some of the top directors now, as she's set for a role in Christopher Nolan's highly anticipated science-fiction action epic, Tenet. It seems only a matter of time before Debicki is headlining her own film.
Zendaya
Zendaya broke out on the movie scene in 2017's Euphoria, and her performance in that only further solidified her potential as a superstar in the making.
Zendaya's career in the limelight is only just picking up steam and the actor is full of potential. She'll be starring in Denis Villeneuve's adaptation of the classic sci-fi tome Dune in late 2020, which should give her the opportunity to further expand her acting abilities as Hollywood watches on. It's only up from here for this young talent.
Will Poulter
Will Poulter has been working his way up the Hollywood ranks over the last few years, showing his range by starring in a variety of different genre films. He never ceases to impress, whether he's doing comedy like in Midsommar.
A character-actor like no other in his age group, Poulter is an underrated actor whose potential shows no bounds. Should he be able to keep up this run, then he'll certainly receive the recognition he's due and the Hollywood elite in the near future.
Anya Taylor-Joy
After making her outstanding debut in Robert Eggers' deeply Thoroughbreds alongside fellow rising star Olivia Cooke, and more recently, 2020's period-piece, Emma., based on the classic Jane Austen novel.
At this stage of her career, Taylor-Joy can seemingly do no wrong as this highly sought-after actor currently has 7 new projects in the works. It's obvious that Hollywood filmmakers have seen something special in Taylor-Joy's talent, and she's primed to be the next big thing in Hollywood.
Florence Pugh
Florence Pugh's work on the highly entertaining pro-wrestling biopic Best ing Actress nomination at the 2020 Academy Awards.
At just 24 years of age, Pugh has already proven that she can hold court with the best of them, and her next role alongside Scarlett Johansson in 2020's Black Widow should send her even further into the limelight. With her recent Oscar-award accolade and mainstream-cinema casting, Pugh is no doubt one of the most promising young stars on this list.
Barry Keoghan
Director Yorgos Lanthimos' haunting film Dunkirk.
Keoghan has a unique ability to steal every scene that he's in, even when surrounded by veteran Hollywood stars. He always has an intense presence about him that keeps the audience intrigued any time he's on the screen. It's this ability that earned him a call from Marvel, inviting him to star in their Eternals. Keoghan was happy to oblige.
Lucas Hedges
An actor with depth beyond his years, Lucas Hedges is a name destined to become synonymous with greatness. He earned his first Oscar nomination for Best ing Actor in 2016's Honey Boy.
Hedges is on his way to becoming an actor's actor, the type of performer that other up-and-coming actors will look to for inspiration. If he can keep choosing excellent roles that allow him to showcase his many talents, then we can be sure to see more of Lucas Hedges at future awards ceremonies.
