Actresses Hollywood Pushed—But Audiences Didn’t Bite

Studios often rally behind a fresh face, lining up big projects and glossy magazine covers in hopes of creating a new marquee name. Sometimes the parts look perfect on paper but audience momentum never quite arrives, at least not right away. The actresses below all received a noticeable early push, yet their star turns met mixed results at the box office or were overshadowed by other factors. Many have since found steadier footing by shifting lanes, from prestige TV to indie films to work behind the camera.

Cara Delevingne

After a quick rise from fashion to film, she landed attention-grabbing roles in titles like ‘Paper Towns’, ‘Suicide Squad’, and ‘Valerian and the City of a Thousand Planets’. Domestic returns were uneven and reviews were often split, which made it hard to build a clear big screen brand. She kept working across genres, including fantasy, thriller, and streaming series. Modeling and entrepreneurial projects helped her stay visible even when film momentum wavered.

Sofia Boutella

She was positioned as an action lead with high profile parts in ‘Kingsman: The Secret Service’ and ‘The Mummy’. Despite large marketing campaigns, the latter underperformed in North America and slowed plans for follow-ups. She pivoted to character-driven work in projects like ‘Climax’ and later event series. The shift highlighted her dance background and physical performance skills in more niche releases.

Lily Collins

Studios introduced her as a fairy-tale lead in ‘Mirror Mirror’ and a young adult anchor with ‘The Mortal Instruments: City of Bones’. The latter struggled domestically, and a planned sequel stalled. She moved into prestige TV and streaming films, building a steadier audience with projects like ‘To the Bone’ and later ‘Emily in Paris’. That pivot delivered consistent visibility and global reach.

Amber Heard

She appeared in a string of studio and indie films including ‘Drive Angry’, ‘The Rum Diary’, and ‘London Fields’. Several wide releases posted soft numbers and distribution for others was limited or delayed. Later supporting turns in ‘Aquaman’ raised her profile but did not translate into multiple solo vehicles. Her filmography since has mixed franchise work with smaller projects.

Abbie Cornish

She drew early studio interest with ‘Sucker Punch’ and the ‘RoboCop’ reboot. Neither project became a breakout showcase for her in the way early buzz suggested. She continued to work steadily across thrillers and TV, including ‘Jack Ryan’. The emphasis shifted from would-be franchise headliner to ensemble and supporting roles.

Katherine Heigl

After standout TV success, Hollywood lined up leads in comedies like ’27 Dresses’ and ‘The Ugly Truth’. Several later vehicles and TV attempts posted modest results and cooled the big screen push. She refocused on television movies and series to maintain output. Legal dramas and streaming projects provided sustained work outside of major theatrical headliners.

Sienna Miller

Studios positioned her in high visibility titles such as ‘Factory Girl’ and ‘G.I. Joe: The Rise of Cobra’. Early coverage often centered on publicity rather than audience traction for the films themselves. She later found critical praise in projects like ‘American Sniper’ and ‘The Lost City of Z’, often in supporting or ensemble roles. The recalibration favored performance-driven parts over franchise leads.

Gretchen Mol

Anointing buzz arrived early with magazine covers and roles in films like ‘Rounders’ and ‘The Notorious Bettie Page’. The hoped-for jump to regular box office headliner did not materialize. She built a second act in television with ‘Boardwalk Empire’ and consistent stage work. The career steadied around prestige ensembles rather than tentpole leads.

Julia Ormond

She was pushed into major spotlights with ‘Legends of the Fall’, ‘First Knight’, and the ‘Sabrina’ remake. Despite strong exposure, subsequent films did not lock in ongoing star status. She found durable work in television miniseries and recurring roles across networks and streaming. Character parts and international productions kept her schedule active.

Leelee Sobieski

Hollywood highlighted her in disaster and war dramas like ‘Deep Impact’ and ‘Uprising’ alongside teen-market titles. Momentum slowed as later releases drew limited theatrical interest. She gradually stepped away from acting and focused on family and visual art. The early push remains a snapshot of a brief but notable period.

Rachael Leigh Cook

Following teen breakout success with ‘She’s All That’, studios tried to build around titles like ‘Josie and the Pussycats’. The latter did not ignite at release and paused further big studio gambles. She transitioned to television movies and smaller indies that offered steady visibility. Later cameos and producing efforts broadened her footprint.

Olivia Munn

After gaining attention on television, she moved into franchise adjacent projects such as ‘X-Men: Apocalypse’ and ‘The Predator’. Those films arrived with large campaigns but delivered mixed critical reception. She continued working across genres and took on hosting, voice roles, and documentaries. The diversified path kept her in front of audiences without a singular blockbuster identity.

Blake Lively

A major push came with ‘Green Lantern’ and subsequent thrillers like ‘Savages’ and ‘The Age of Adaline’. The superhero outing underperformed and complicated immediate franchise momentum. She found stronger engagement on television with ‘Gossip Girl’ and later moved into selective film and entrepreneurial work. Recent directing and producing steps have expanded her role behind the scenes.

Camilla Belle

She was positioned for leading status with projects like ‘When a Stranger Calls’ and ‘10,000 BC’. Despite wide releases, critical response was tepid and long-term star positioning stalled. She kept working in independent films and international productions. Festival titles and niche dramas became the primary lane.

Emilia Clarke

On television she became a global name, and studios tried to convert that into film leads with ‘Terminator Genisys’ and roles connected to ‘Star Wars’. The box office picture and reception were mixed, and the planned momentum as a theatrical headliner slowed. She refocused on varied projects from romantic dramas to stage work. Recent independent films and TV limited series have offered more tailored showcases.

Share your picks in the comments and tell us which other actresses fit this list and why.