As the temperatures rise, a group of young up-and-coming actors are hoping a string of high-profile movies will help their movie careers heat up.
Some, like Aubrey Plaza and Charlie Hunnam, are already known to television viewers for their work on "Parks and Recreation" and "Sons of Anarchy," respectively. Others, such as Jamie Campbell Bower, soon to make tween girls swoon in the upcoming "The Mortal Instruments: City of Bones," still enjoy lives of relative obscurity.
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If the films that these five actors are headlining connect with audiences, then they will soon find themselves within reach of the A-list. If the movies fail, the climb to the top of the Hollywood heap will get a lot steeper.
Henry Cavill ("Man of Steel")
How He’ll Spend his Summer: Spreading truth, justice and the American way in the Superman reboot "Man of Steel" (June 14).
Upcoming: If "Man of Steel" lives up to the strong buzz, Cavill will finding himself donning Superman's signature cape and tights for many more installments. He is also attached to "The Great Wall," which is set in China in the 15th century and centers on two British warriors squaring off against monsters.
Why He’s Ready to Break Through: With his broad shoulders, cleft chin and matinee idol looks, "The Tudors" star has a flair that recalls Hollywood swashbucklers of old like Eroll Flynn. He's been shortlisted for big parts in the past (James Bond, for instance) but has fallen just short of landing them; "Man of Steel," though, could be the franchise-ready role he's been narrowly missing. Judging by the epic trailer, it looks as if Cavill may have the screen presence to do what Brandon Routh, who played the role in the ill-fated "Superman Returns," could not -- to make this alien-born adventurer relatable and, well, human.
Jamie Campbell Bower ("The Mortal Instruments: City of Bones")
How He’ll Spend his Summer: Helping Lily Collins rescue her mother as the half-human, half-angel bad boy at the center of "The Mortal Instruments: City of Bones" (Aug. 23).
Upcoming: Depending on the box office, more "Mortal Instruments." After all, the popular young-adult series that inspired the movie boasts six books.
Why He’s Ready to Break Through: He's already toyed with heartthrob-dom with supporting roles in "Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street" and "The Twilight Saga." With "Mortal Instruments," his swoon-worthy charms will be prominently on display. That kind of young adult idolatry can do wonders for a career. Just ask Robert Pattinson.
Aubrey Plaza ("The To Do List)
How She’ll Spend Her Summer: Racking up sexual experiences as a college-bound high school senior in "The To Do List" (Aug. 16)
Upcoming: Assuming it gets renewed, season six of "Parks & Recreation."
The anti-romantic comedy "A Many Splintered Thing" opposite Chris Evans, which should hit theaters later this year.
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Why She’s Ready to Break Through: With her deadpan delivery and role as a work-allergic intern on "Parks & Recreation," Plaza steals nearly every episode. Her wit has also given her her memorable supporting turns in films like "Funny People" and "Safety Not Guaranteed," but she's poised to get a lot more attention with her biggest movie role yet. With a cast that includes "SNL" funnyman Bill Hader and a raunchy premise, "To Do List" could be just the vehicle she needs to move from must-see TV to film stardom.
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