Hollywood’s hurting for young action heroes. Proof: The fourth “Die Hard” movie opens Wednesday almost 20 years after Bruce Willis began the yippee-ki-yaying saga. Joining Willis, 52, among upcoming revived action franchises are Jackie Chan, 53, with “Rush Hour 3,” Harrison Ford, 64, with his fourth “Indiana Jones” movie and Sylvester Stallone, 60, whose fourth “Rambo” movie is currently filming. Here’s a look at their pasts, suggestions for the future and who might take the action hero mantle.
Bruce Willis
He owns the baldness and still looks great, but why push it? Willis should flex his comic skills (“Death Becomes Her,” “Moonlighting”) and follow Alec Baldwin’s example — get a smart prime-time show and fish for meaty roles in smaller movies.
Heirs apparent: Matt Damon rocks in the “Bourne” movies, plus he has a full head of hair. We can’t discount Ashton Kutcher; he married Willis’ ex after all.
Jackie Chan
America knows Chan only as a stuntman, but that successful singing career in Asia makes him the perfect replacement judge for Randy Jackson on “American Idol.”
Heirs apparent: Most Americans probably don’t know Stephen Chow, who kicked butt in the import “Kung Fu Hustle.” A more recognizable alternate is Joey Fatone, who’s got moves too.
Sylvester Stallone
“Rocky Balboa” proved he’s still got some punch, but a rocket-propelled grenade weighs more than a silk boxing robe. Stallone should get back to level-headed fare (like 1997’s “Cop Land”) that offer tough-guy roles minus the artillery.
Heirs apparent: Rosie O’Donnell is a lover and a fighter. 50 Cent, like Stallone, has too many muscles and too few acting skills. And just like Sly, they’re both unintelligible.
Harrison Ford
It’s time for him to stop chasing bad guys and start pursuing directors who get the Ford charm — think Peter Weir (“Witness”) and Andrew Davis (“The Fugitive”) — because after seeing “Firewall,” we’re concerned about Ford’s credibility. And his knee cartilage.
Heir apparent: Shia LaBeouf’s got a leg up on all competitors: He’s already training to play Ford’s son in the next “Indiana Jones” movie. Can fans forgive him for “The Greatest Game Ever Played”?
