10 Modern Action Film Stars Who Failed To Meet Their Potential

5. Ryan Reynolds

Ryan Reynolds has had plenty of chances to prove himself as an action star over the last decade, but he invariably ends up choosing projects that don't turn out well. Capable of giving a great performance under the right circumstances, the actor's filmography is nonetheless littered with forgettable blockbusters and insipid romantic comedies. Ironically, the recently-leaked Deadpool test footage seems like the perfect way to rehabilitate his ass-kicking credentials, but the project remains stuck in development hell. The Canadian actor possesses the looks, physicality, comic timing and natural charisma to be one of Hollywood's biggest action stars, but has never managed to fulfill that potential. Of course, it doesn't help when his most action-orientated roles come in the likes of box office disasters R.I.P.D and Green Lantern, along with the critically-reviled Blade: Trinity and X-Men Origins: Wolverine. Safe House was a success, but that was a two-hander alongside Denzel Washington, an actor with one of the most consistent commercial track records in the business. Still only 37, there is plenty of time for Ryan Reynolds to fulfill his potential as an action movie leading man. He just really needs to be more careful about the projects he signs on to.