Reese Witherspoon, Viola Davis, Harrison Ford and Tilda Swinton should take the plunge into television.
And we don't mean this in a bad way.
Not only has Dustin Hoffman found a new place, along with Oscar nominee Nick Nolte, in HBO's "Luck," award-winning actors such as Glenn Close ("Damages"), Claire Danes ("Homeland"), Jessica Lange ("American Horror Story") and Alec Baldwin ("30 Rock") have all discovered that television is not just a cemetery for once-promising film careers.
It is a place for actors to reapply some luster to their faded star or find the kind of challenging work that has been shouldered out of the multiplexes by superhero films and remakes.
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And in many cases, they emerge from their small screen stints equally in demand for film roles. For instance, Close just earned her sixth Academy Award nomination last week for “Albert Nobbs” and Baldwin has nabbed coveted roles in big movies such as “It’s Complicated” and the upcoming “Rock of Ages.”
Here’s a look at 10 actors who would benefit from turning their back on the movies.
HARRISON FORD
Why It’s Time for TV: Where have you gone Indiana Jones? It has been a decade of disappointment for the graying action star with flops like “Firewall” and “Cowboys and Aliens” making moviegoers forget what a crusty and engaging presence Ford can be in the right role.
His starring days on the big-screen are probably in the rearview mirror, but the former captain of the Millennium Falcon could find television audiences more receptive to his charms.
The Perfect Vehicle: Ford should take a page from Timothy Olyphant’s marshal in “Justified,” and play an ass-kicking lawman with a wry sense of humor. Even if it doesn’t work, it sure beats “Hollywood Homicide.”
TILDA SWINTON
Why It’s Time for TV: Swinton is a critical favorite, racking up awards for her prickly turns in “Michael Clayton” and “We Need to Talk About Kevin.” Yet Hollywood doesn’t seem to know what to do with the ginger-haired actress, sticking her in supporting roles in the likes of “Constantine” and “The Curious Case of Benjamin Button.”
It is harder and harder to get the kind of uncompromising indie films that Swinton prefers made these days, but that’s not the case on television. If Swinton wants to keep the challenges coming, it’s time to take a meeting with HBO.
The Perfect Vehicle: Imagine last fall’s “Prime Suspect’ remake with Swinton in the lead. She has the fire to make a female detective for the ages.
DREW BARRYMORE
Why It’s Time for TV: The bubbly actress has starred in a series of romantic comedies such as “Going the Distance” and “Music and Lyrics” that were lacking in fizz.
