The stars who were meant to be Hollywood’s next leading man
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There are several actors pegged to be Hollywood’s next big thing but just sadly never quite made it. Hollywood is simply overrun with talent with breakout stars including the dashing Paul Mescal who came to fame in 2020 after appearing in Normal People.
![[LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - OCTOBER 19: Rege-Jean Page attends the 2024 Academy Museum Gala at Academy Museum of Motion Pictures on October 19, 2024 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Taylor Hill/FilmMagic)]](https://metro.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/SEI_235466790-fe87.jpg?quality=90&strip=all&w=646)
Hollywood’s favourite leading men of the moment include the likes of Jacob Elordi, Leo Woodhall, Timothee Chalamet, Tom Holland and Nicholas Galitzine. But there are plenty of potential leading men who never quite made it big. From teen heartthrobs to one-hit wonders, there are so many actors who had all the potential to be the next leading man of Hollywood, but for some reason or another fell short of breaking through.
![[Alex Pettyfer in front row at Boss RTW Spring/Summer 2023 photographed on September 22, 2022 in Milan, Italy. (Photo by Swan Gallet/WWD/Penske Media via Getty Images)]](https://metro.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/SEI_235466788-dab4.jpg?quality=90&strip=all&w=646)
Here’s a rundown of some of the actors that fans had major hopes for – but just didn’t quite cut the mustard. After appearing as Simon Bassett, the Duke of Hastings, in Bridgerton fans were drooling over Regé-Jean Page, 36, and expected the actor to be the next big star.
![[Taylor Lautner at The Cameron Boyce Foundation's Cam For A Cause 3rd Annual Gala held at The Beehive on June 2, 2024 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Gilbert Flores/Variety via Getty Images)]](https://metro.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/SEI_235466779-6515.jpg?quality=90&strip=all&w=646)
The actor went on to host SNL and quit the popular Netflix series with rumours even suggesting he could be the next James Bond. However, apart from appearing in the 2022 film The Grey Man and a 2023 Dungeons and Dragons movie, the star hasn’t been seen since, leaving a lot of fans disappointed that he stepped away from the Netflix series so quickly.
![[THE TONIGHT SHOW STARRING JIMMY FALLON -- Episode 1899 -- Pictured: Actor Josh Hutcherson during an interview on Tuesday, January 9, 2024 -- (Photo by: Todd Owyoung/NBC via Getty Images)]](https://metro.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/SEI_235466693-6979.jpg?quality=90&strip=all&w=646)
Alex Pettyfer, 34, was a heartthrob of the noughties who captured hearts with his appearances in Wild Child, I Am Number Four, Magic Mike, and Endless Love. Despite having legions of teenage fans and continuing to appear in a number of films, the actor was unable to replicate the success he had in his early career.
![[PARIS, FRANCE - JUNE 09: Logan Lerman attends the 2024 French Open at Roland Garros on June 09, 2024 in Paris, France. (Photo by Stephane Cardinale - Corbis/Corbis via Getty Images)]](https://metro.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/SEI_235466793-db4e.jpg?quality=90&strip=all&w=646)
