20 Essential Movie Performances That Will Define 2016
5. Joe Alwyn - Billy Lynn (Billy Lynn's Long Halftime Walk
Release Date: November 11
The Role: American soldier Billy Lynn returns home from the Iraq war and is celebrated as a hero, ending up invited to the Dallas Cowboys' Thanksgiving game with his squad. However, Billy comes to learn that he and his fellow soldiers are being shipped back out to Iraq at the conclusion of the game.
Why It'll Define 2016: Because who doesn't love a Cinderella story? This lead role is Joe Alwyn's very first acting gig, and he's immediately thrust into the limelight by starring in an Ang Lee movie that's got a ton of awards season potential, and boasts a superbly stacked cast to boot.
If Alwyn can hang tall with Steve Martin, Kristen Stewart, Vin Diesel, Oliver Platt, Chris Tucker, Tim Blake Nelson and Garrett Hedlund, then he's going to instantly make himself a name that'll be on the lips of agents all over Hollywood.
It's a terrific role, Ang Lee works superbly with actors, and so we could very well have a huge success story in the making here. Could you imagine: an Oscar nominee in his first ever role? It's definitely possible.