African-American Actors Hollywood Pushed—But Audiences Didn’t Bite

Hollywood frequently attempts to manufacture the next generation of leading men by investing heavily in specific talents. Studios provide these actors with major franchise roles and extensive marketing campaigns to secure their status as A-list stars. While some talents rise to the occasion and resonate with viewers immediately, others struggle to convert industry support into ticket sales. The following list highlights talented African-American male actors who received a massive studio push that ultimately failed to connect with mainstream audiences.

Jaden Smith

Sony and Will Smith pushed the young actor hard in films like ‘The Karate Kid’ and ‘After Earth’. The studio marketing positioned him as the next global superstar while he was still very young. Critics and audiences reacted poorly to his performance in the sci-fi film alongside his father. He eventually pivoted away from acting toward music and fashion endeavors. The massive industry investment did not yield a consistent box office leading man.

Orlando Jones

Studios positioned him as a breakout comedic lead in the early 2000s with films like ‘Evolution’ and ‘The Time Machine’. Marketing campaigns highlighted his energy and charisma hoping to replicate the success of other comedy stars. The films failed to perform at the box office and critical reception was often lukewarm. He found steady work in television later but the blockbuster movie star trajectory halted.

Brandon T. Jackson

Hollywood cast him in high-profile projects like ‘Tropic Thunder’ and ‘Percy Jackson & the Olympians: The Lightning Thief’. Industry executives seemingly groomed him to be the next generation’s major comedic talent. His leading turn in ‘Big Mommas: Like Father, Like Son’ failed to reinvigorate the franchise or launch him to the A-list. Audiences did not turn out in the numbers required to sustain his status as a marquee headliner.

John David Washington

He received major opportunities to lead massive productions including Christopher Nolan’s ‘Tenet’ and the sci-fi actioner ‘The Creator’. Critics praised his performances but the films often underperformed relative to their massive budgets. The industry positioned him to follow in the footsteps of his legendary father yet general audiences remained hesitant. He continues to work in prestige projects without having secured a guaranteed box office draw status.

Columbus Short

The actor gained momentum with the surprise hit ‘Stomp the Yard’ and a role in ‘Cadillac Records’. Studios tested his leading man potential in action thrillers such as ‘Armored’ and ‘The Losers’. These projects struggled to find a significant audience despite the marketing push behind him. Personal legal issues eventually overshadowed his career momentum before he could solidify his place in Hollywood.

Corey Hawkins

The industry tapped him to lead the ’24’ franchise reboot ’24: Legacy’ and star in the musical adaptation ‘In the Heights’. Casting directors recognized his talent from ‘Straight Outta Compton’ and offered him significant platform roles. Viewership numbers for the television reboot were disappointing and the musical film struggled theatrically. He remains a respected actor but the push for him to become a household name did not fully materialize.

Jessie T. Usher

Studios cast him to lead the massive sequel ‘Independence Day: Resurgence’ as the son of Will Smith’s character. He also took on the mantle of the legendary private investigator in the sequel simply titled ‘Shaft’. Both films relied heavily on his ability to carry a franchise legacy to a new generation of viewers. The box office returns for both projects fell significantly short of studio expectations. He found greater success as part of an ensemble cast on streaming television rather than as a solo movie star.

Derek Luke

Denzel Washington handpicked him for the title role in the directorial debut ‘Antwone Fisher’. The industry subsequently cast him as an action lead in ‘Biker Boyz’ hoping to capture the ‘Fast and Furious’ demographic. Audiences failed to turn out in large numbers for his subsequent headlining efforts despite his obvious dramatic talent. He transitioned into steady character work in various television series instead of maintaining top billing in theaters. His initial launch remains one of the most high-profile pushes of the early 2000s.

Nick Cannon

Executives groomed him to be a multimedia superstar following the sleeper success of ‘Drumline’. He headlined comedies such as ‘Love Don’t Cost a Thing’ and the action-comedy ‘Underclassman’ to broaden his appeal. The box office results for these starring vehicles proved underwhelming and failed to establish him as a consistent draw. He eventually found his true niche as a television host and producer rather than a scripted movie lead. His acting career never reached the heights that his initial marketing campaigns suggested.

John Boyega

The actor gained global fame through ‘Star Wars’ and attempted to leverage that into solo franchise success. He produced and starred in ‘Pacific Rim: Uprising’ with hopes of launching a new blockbuster series. The film received poor reviews and disappointed financially causing the franchise to stall. His gritty drama ‘Detroit’ also failed to find a wide audience despite strong critical notices. He has since focused on smaller indie projects and streaming films rather than tentpole blockbusters.

Shad Moss

Hollywood marketed the rapper formerly known as Bow Wow as a charismatic young leading man. He headlined films like ‘Like Mike’ and ‘Roll Bounce’ which performed moderately well with specific demographics. His transition to adult roles in movies such as ‘Lottery Ticket’ did not generate significant mainstream crossover success. The industry push for him to become a major box office staple eventually faded as he focused on music and hosting. He remains a recognizable figure but not the movie star studios once envisioned.

Eddie Griffin

Studios banked on his stand-up comedy popularity to translate into box office gold with ‘Undercover Brother’. The film became a cult favorite but did not launch him into the upper echelon of comedy superstars. He later attempted a serious action pivot with the car film ‘Redline’ which became a notorious financial failure. His momentum as a leading man stalled as audiences did not accept him in diverse genre roles. He returned to his roots in stand-up comedy and smaller supporting parts.

Trevante Rhodes

His breakout performance in ‘Moonlight’ garnered massive industry attention and critical acclaim. Fox cast him as the lead in the big-budget sci-fi reboot ‘The Predator’ to capitalize on his rising stock. The movie suffered from negative reviews and failed to reignite interest in the long-running franchise. His potential as a mainstream action hero remains unfulfilled as he pivoted to streaming dramas. The massive theatrical push did not result in immediate A-list status.

Stephan James

He replaced John Boyega in the high-profile Jesse Owens biopic ‘Race’ with hopes of awards season glory. Studios paired him with Chadwick Boseman in the action thriller ’21 Bridges’ to boost his commercial profile. The films performed modestly and did not establish him as a household name for general audiences. He continues to deliver strong work in acclaimed television series like ‘Homecoming’. The theatrical audience has yet to fully embrace him as a solo marquee attraction.

Laz Alonso

James Cameron cast him as the primary antagonist in ‘Avatar’ while Universal put him in ‘Fast & Furious’. He received a major opportunity to lead the Spike Lee World War II film ‘Miracle at St. Anna’. The film bombed at the box office and halted his momentum as a potential dramatic leading man. He successfully reinvented himself as a key player in ensemble television casts. His time as a prospective movie star featured high visibility but low commercial returns.

Please share your thoughts on which of these actors deserved a better reception in the comments.