2011 really has been the year where actors have stepped behind the camera to make their directorial debuts.
While some have already hit the big screen wee will have to wait until early 2012 to catch a glimpse of most of them.
- Paddy Considine
Paddy Considine has been responsible for one of the finest directorial debuts by an actor this year with his first movie Tyrannosaur.
Now Considine has always been talented chap in front of the camera but he demonstrated an even greater talent behind the camera with this stunning movie.
This is a great character study that looks at the effects that violence can have on us - inwardly in the case of Joseph and at the hands of others for Hannah.
It’s hard to believe that this is a directorial debut as it is just a fabulous piece of filmmaking - hard to believe that he can get any better.
Philip Seymour Hoffman
Oscar winning actor Philip Seymour Hoffman also turned his hand to directing this year with his debut project Jack Goes Boating.
This is an intimate portrayal of life looking at friendship, loyalty, marriage as well as the fears and uncertainty at the beginning of a relationship.
Hoffman has produced a story and characters that everyone can relate to - but the movie really just lacks that emotional punch.
This is a solid first movie from the very talented Mr Hoffman and it will be great to see what other projects he may direct over the next couple of years.
- Dexter Fletcher
Dexter Fletcher, famous for his acting roles in Lock Stock and two Smoking Barrels and Band of Brothers, turned his hand to directing this year with Wild Bill.
While the movie is not released until early next year the film was screened at the BFI London Film Festival earlier this year.
Fletcher mixes experienced talent such as Charlie Creed-Miles with younger stars such as Will Poulter and Sammy Williams.
The movie was met well by the critics when it was screened at the London Film Festival and it looks set to launch a very exciting and successful directing career for Fletcher.
- Angelina Jolie
I really thought that we would have seen Angelina Jolie in the director’s chair before now but none the less she is set to make her debut with In The Land of Blood and Honey.
The Oscar winning actress has also penned the script which follows two lovers as their relationship is put to the test during the Bosnian War.
And Jolie has kept the movie very authentic getting the actors to speak in the native tongue of the characters - she has picked up a Golden Globe nomination for Best Foreign Language Film.
There are so few high profile female director’s that it’s great to see Jolie stepping up the plate - she has delivered a movie that she has made with a lot of care and attention.
- Ralph Fiennes
We will also be seeing Ralph Fiennes in the director’s chair in the new year with his project Coriolanus - which is an adaptation of the William Shakespeare play.
But not content with just directing the movie Fiennes will also take on the central role of
Caius Martius Coriolanus alongside an all star cast that includes Vanessa Redgrave and Gerard Butler.
The movie follows a banished hero of Rome allies with a sworn enemy to take his revenge on the city.
Much like Jolie I would have expected Fiennes to tackle directing much earlier than he actually has but he has produced a movie that has been a hit with the critics so far.
But there have been a whole host of actors who have returned to the director’s chair over the last twelve months.
George Clooney was back for the first time since Leatherheads with his first contemporary movie the Ides of March. The movie was the best political thrillers of the year as he brought together a great cast that included Ryan Gosling, Philip Seymour Hoffman and Paul Giamatti.
We haven’t seen Tom Hanks direct a feature film since The Thing You Do! Back in 1996 but this year saw him return with Larry Crowne.
The actor also starred in the movie alongside Julia Roberts in what was one of the sweetest natured movies of 2011.
Kenneth Branagh may never have directed a big budget blockbuster before this summer but that didn’t stop him from producing the very excellent Thor.
Yes you would never have known that he wasn’t a dab hand with CGI and special effects as the film that he delivered was totally stunning! Shame he will not be directing the sequel.
FemaleFirst Helen Earnshaw
Tagged in Angelina Jolie Paddy Considine