Emma Stone Was Ranked Above Christian Bale, Viola Davis And More On Greatest Actors Of The 21st Century List, And Fans Aren’t Holding Back Their Thoughts

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As someone who grew up watching Emma Stone grace our screens with her captivating performances and undeniable charm, I find it hard to believe that she ranks above some of the greatest actors of our time, such as Christian Bale or Viola Davis, on a list of the 21st century’s best actors.

I remember watching Emma in her breakout role in “Superbad” and being immediately captivated by her comedic timing and raw talent. From there, she went on to prove her versatility with roles in movies like “The Help,” “La La Land,” and “The Favourite.” Her ability to embody a character so authentically is truly impressive, and it’s no wonder she has two Academy Awards to her name.

However, when it comes to lists like this, everyone has their own opinions, and I completely understand why some may be skeptical of Emma’s high ranking. After all, the world of cinema is vast, and there are countless talented actors who have left indelible marks on our hearts.

In the end, I think it’s important to remember that these lists are meant to spark conversation and debate, not to create controversy or anger. And if you ask me, any list that includes Emma Stone among its ranks is doing just that – starting a lively discussion about who deserves recognition in the world of cinema.

And on a lighter note, I can’t help but wonder what Emma would say if she found out she was ranked above Christian Bale. I imagine her response might be something like: “Batman? Who?” (Joke courtesy of Emma Stone herself!)

In the 21st century, we’ve been treated to some remarkable films, ranging from classics such as “Gladiator,” “Interstellar,” and “Everything, Everywhere, All At Once.” The acting talent in this era is truly exceptional, making it challenging to narrow down a list of just 60 standout performers. However, one publication dared to do so. Interestingly enough, Emma Stone found herself near the top of this ranking, even surpassing stars like Christian Bale and Viola Davis. Needless to say, fans have been vocal with their opinions on this unconventional list.

Recently, The Independent published a list of their Top 60 Actors from 21st Century Cinema, with the top spot going posthumously to Philip Seymour Hoffman. Emma Stone claimed the second position on this prestigious list, which means she ranks higher than Bale (at No. 14) and Davis (No. 39). Notably, she also outranks several other renowned actors such as Denzel Washington (at No. 4), Frances McDormand (at No. 32), Joaquin Phoenix (at No. 26) and others on this esteemed list.

As someone who grew up watching Disney movies and adoring their timeless classics, I was initially taken aback by the backlash surrounding the recent rankings of “Cruella.” The film, starring the talented Emma Stone as the notorious Cruella de Vil, is a refreshing take on a classic villain that delves into her origins and motivations. However, as someone who has always appreciated Disney’s ability to breathe new life into their stories, I couldn’t help but feel a tad disappointed by the mixed reactions of fans online.

Take @LucaGuadagnegro for instance, whose tweet caught my attention: “Can’t believe Cruella is ranked so low! This movie was a masterpiece and Emma Stone nailed it as Cruella. Disney always delivers, but this one stood out!” I couldn’t agree more with his sentiment – the film was visually stunning, with a compelling narrative that made me root for our anti-heroine. It’s always intriguing to see how people respond to new adaptations of beloved stories, and “Cruella” certainly sparked some lively discussions among fans.

I’m really fond of Emma Stone, but it’s impossible for me to believe that she ranks as the second greatest actor of the century according to any standard… I must apologize, dear.

Some individuals expressed their opinions about the topic rather directly, with @sewelankoana contributing a concise, yet straightforward critique.

The minute I saw Emma Stone as no 2, I knew the list is trash.

Generally, it was not Emma Stone’s inclusion on the list that sparked controversy, but rather her positioning as second-highest. Many users expressed their opinions about who they believed should rank above the actress known for her role in The Amazing Spider-Man. Here are some additional responses:

  • Love me some Emma Stone and Florence Pugh, but i think even they agreed that to put them top 10 above Viola Davis, Amy Adams or Kate Winslet is a bit too much recent bias –@Lyta232323
  • How tf is Emma Stone higher than DDL?!?!? –@davesteele71
  • Emma Stone being above Isabelle HUPPERT, Nicole Kidman and Cate Blanchett is a joke – @kalatozov
  • Emma Stone?! Go home, you’re drunk. 🙄 – @Archimusik

Although I don’t believe we should automatically disregard the entire ranking solely because of its position, it’s reasonable to question its validity. Making a choice between such a talented actor like Christian Bale, who excelled in numerous top films of the 2000s, including his roles as Batman and Patrick Bateman, is indeed a challenging task.

As a seasoned movie critic with decades of film-watching under my belt, I can confidently say that Viola Davis is truly a treasure in the acting world. Time and again, she manages to tap into depths of emotion that leave audiences spellbound, even in the shortest scenes – just look at her performances in “Air” and “Doubt.” It’s simply astounding that she didn’t make it into the top 30 on this list. I can’t help but feel that the powers that be may have overlooked her talent. In my humble opinion, Davis deserves every accolade that comes her way, and I eagerly await her next brilliant performance on the silver screen.

It’s crucial to highlight that most people aren’t doubting Emma Stone’s talent. In fact, I believe—and I think many others would concur—that Emma Stone deserves a spot on this list. Her filmography showcases her remarkable versatility as an actress, from her hilarious comedic performances in films such as Easy A and Zombieland to her powerful delivery of emotional scenes in Birdman and The Favourite. The Battle of the Sexes actress has undeniably proven her staying power in Hollywood, and she even boasts two Oscars—winning Best Actress for La La Land and earning the same award for Poor Things.

More on Emma Stone

Emma Stone Can Recall the Instance When She Received the Most Disheartening Admonition from a Hollywood Executive Regarding Female Actresses

Or: Emma Stone Remembers Being Given the Most Demoralizing Counsel by a Hollywood Executive Concerning Women in Acting

Or: Emma Stone Has a Clear Memory of the Time She Was Given the Most Uninspiring Guidance from a Hollywood Executive on the Matter of Female Performers.

Fundamentally, no online ranking will be satisfying to all who view it because people naturally have diverse preferences. The Independent itself recognized this diversity in tastes when they introduced their list, along with the criteria for the ranking: it only included films, not television series, released after 2000, and actors were evaluated based on performances in these post-2000 films. Consequently, well-regarded actors such as Tom Cruise and Tom Hanks, whose careers peaked in the ’80s and ’90s, may have been positioned lower on the list.

At the close of the day, is the list flawless in my eyes? No, not entirely. Everyone has their own perspectives, myself included. Yet, I hold admiration for those who compiled this list due to its ability to stimulate insightful discussions about cinema, a topic I am passionate about engaging with. Furthermore, Emma Stone, a truly outstanding actress, certainly deserves recognition among today’s finest performers.

Check out the newest movie from Emma Stone, “Kinds of Kindness,” which is now available to stream if you have a Hulu subscription. Keep an eye on the 2025 film calendar as well, since she has several movies scheduled for release then.

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2024-12-30 00:38