10 Unexpected Actors Making Directorial Debuts In 2019

Cinema is littered with a glistening history of actors trying their luck behind the camera.

Some, like George Clooney, Clint Eastwood and Kenneth Branagh find massive success in both disciplines, while others like Al Pacino and Nicolas Cage really should’ve stayed in front of the camera.

Last year saw Bradley Cooper debut with A Star Is Born and go toe to toe with the years best, pushing Green Book close for Best Picture at the Academy Awards. 2019 sees many more actors having a go at the craft, hoping to follow in Cooper’s footsteps.

There’s some unusual names in the mix too; the sorts of stars you wouldn’t necessarily expect to interested in venturing into the director’s chair. This list takes a look at them, their debut project and the chances on whether this switch of roles will last beyond the first feature.

Chloe Grace Moretz gets an honourable mention here; while promoting The Miseducation Of Cameron Post, a 90s drama about a lesbian conversion camp, she spoke about her future ambition to direct an LGBT movie of her own. Since there’s nothing concrete though, it’s not fair to include her here.

Michael B. Jordan is one of the youngest actors on this list, and with his career just starting to take off, now is certainly an unexpected time to make the move into directing.

Obviously it’s likely to be a temporary switch, but after Creed, Black Panther and being the best thing in Fantastic Four, he wasn’t going to be short of offers to be a leading man. Taking this step is a bit of a risk, one he deserves to be commended for and suggests the project means a lot to him.

The Stars Beneath Our Feet is based on the novel of the same name by David Barclay Moore, who will also pen the screenplay. The story revolves around a young black boy in Harlem who escapes the violence and harshness of his own world by playing with Legos.

Hugely imaginative, it has an interesting hook, potentially stunning visuals and rich themes; there’s a lot for Jordan to juggle, but it could be a magnificent debut if he manages to pull it off.

While the other movies here are complete or near complete, The Stars is a long way off yet, so Jordan may need to wait until 2020 for his bow.