Empire Photo Spread Has Actors Recreating Iconic Roles

melgibson1

[Update: Many of you have pointed out, correctly, that Empire ran these in their magazine for the 20th anniversary issue several months ago. However, this is the first time that they've been available online in this form, and many of you haven't seen them before. So, if you didn't catch them the first time around, enjoy.]

The always-awesome Empire magazine really pulled out the stops for their 20th anniversary. They asked 27 stars to participate in a photo shoot and recreate some of their most iconic performances from the previous two decades, but with a slight twist: Dress stylishly (with a few exceptions).

Most of these photos are pretty amazing, although I do question their designation of some of these roles as “iconic performances” (Is Jon Anderton really as iconic as Ethan Hunt or even Jerry Maguire? Either way, Anderton certainly makes for something more visually interesting). In any case, my feeling is that many of you will probably be hit with a wave of nostalgia as you view the gallery; seeing Mel Gibson with that facepaint really takes me back to pre-Passion, pre-arrest Gibson, when the man’s name with synonymous with badass. I’ve included some of my favorites after the break but you can head on over to Empire to see the whole gallery (hat tip to Cinematical)

arnold3

simonpeggnickfrost

anthonyhopkinsjodiefoster

cruiste

bale2

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  • What movie goes with Michael Sheen? Ben Stiller -- Zoolander?
  • Shane
    Where was Burt Reynolds from "Stroker Ace"?
  • Steve_Kasan
    I agree with most that these pictures are flat with no life except for Simon Pegg & Nick Frost.
    Also I really dug Mel with this face paint and with his Wallace sword.
    Like the Arnold ones but instead of Terminator--again--they should of had him hold a bazooka and an M16 ala Commando.

    Speaking of "iconic" if this photo shoot was done today I would have easily replace Butler and put in Harry Hamlin holding the medusa head in an Armani. I know he has not done anything recently but it would have been really cool to see!
  • quintushalls
    As much as I like the actors and the iconic images, these aren't very good.
  • musicsoup
    these kind of all suck. half look photo shopped, the other half are lazy as hell. lame.
  • andrew
    they should do keanu reeves and alex winter as bill and ted.
  • mangoshakes
    awesome. I really enjoyed these. not that i wouldn't have liked to see Harrison Ford!! the hat? or Han's gun? with chewy?
  • okayflint
    i gathered two things from these photos. I still do not enjoy seeing photos of Eastwood, they really do just make me sad and despite the overall feelings towards Cruise and his beliefs whatever he's doing has kept him from aging in the past 12 years. What's with everyone complaining about the fact they used Minority Report? the films a classic, much more so than most of the films that got nods in these photos.
  • I love the Unforgiven pics (Eastwood and Freeman)... Morgan Freeman's look totally says, "Why am I even here?" LOL
  • Federico
    Oh, my god...

    Christian, you're amazing for doing the whole American Psycho thing.
    Truly Bale's best performance.
  • Mayroth
    These are all great and all, but I was hoping that there would be a picture of Malcolm McDowell as Alex DeLarge. It did say actors recreating iconic roles. That killed me. And, the Sam Neill picture was great!
  • Yakko
    Clockwork Orange doesn't qualify. I'll let you read a little closer to find out why...
  • Will
    Shoud've try to get Sharon Stone naked with an ice pick
  • Will
    Of the two Christian Bale photos, is one supposed to be Bruce Wayne and the other Patrick Bateman? or are both Bateman?
  • Octoberist
    I think they're both Bateman.

    Otherwise, in the other photo, he should have Batman related..(like wearing the cowl)
  • zoey
    shouldve put deh governator on his choppah in his speedos swimsuit.

    the face paint on mel got the idea right. the rest... not so much.
  • alex
    I really like the Gerard Butler one as well as the Ben Stiller one. Why isn't Tom Cruise wearing a suit for the photo op, that pic would make so much more sense. It pretty much just looks like a promotional photo for Minority Report. Matt Damon one really sucks.
  • windmillninja
    "They asked 27 stars to participate in a photo shoot and recreate some of their most iconic performances from the previous two decades."

    Felt someone should post that again, since apparently nobody read that sentence.
  • Mikey
    The Empire 20th Anniversary Issue came out in May! Why is this being posted now?
  • Seriously.
  • starscream9289
    Those pics are made of pure awesome!

    Also, Daniel Radcliffe sure is "harry".
  • Octoberist
    BTW, Keira Knightley looks hoooottt in the photos.
  • quintushalls
    she looks hotter naked
  • richCie
    uh...this was months ago...literally months ago. maybe as much as 5 or 6?
  • MarkoP
    Gah! I really didn't need to see Daniel Radcliffe's chest hair.
  • nindie
    But Emma's pins more than make up for it;-)
  • Emma
    At first I thought this was fantastic, until I looked at the photos and realized they are completely BORING. I mean, what the heck kind of art director did they have? Half the actors look bored out of their minds and the other half look awkward and stilted and badly directed. Matt Damon and Christian Bale have both taken some fantastic photos - and there they are, staring into the camera with blank looks on their faces.
    The only people who appear to be showing any motion are Simon Pegg/Nick Frost (who I think are incapable of NOT having fun) and Keira Knightley and James McAvoy, who have too good chemistry to look bored.

    Either way, I was exceedingly disappointed by what could have been a fantastic editorial.
  • Octoberist
    It's a cute idea but yeah, some of the photos (ex: Matt Damon) are kinda flat. Maybe they should have went with his "Talented Mr. Ripley" look instead. lol.
  • Emma
    Also, DAMN Sean and Viggo should have showered before taking that picture.
  • Wow, this is beyond awesome!
  • ScanCase
    definitely neat I wish they will do more
  • jj
    Ya i was about to say these are a bit old. Not sure if it was just Australian Empire. This was a great issue edited by Spielberg.
  • dagreenman18
    shouldn't Tom Cruise be in a Flight Suit or spy get up? those roles are much more iconic than Minority report.
  • booger
    Sam Neil and Jurassic Park... made me tear up a little. Sniff sniff.
  • Maughtry
    Yeah, that photo alone makes up for Jurassic Park 3. Love that movie so much.
  • DorienG
    Boromir and Aragorn still look badass!
  • mbellerbrock
    Yeah, it's interesting that they both currently have long hair.
  • Kensei
    Lol Minority Report? Really? Not a bad film but Top Gun is much better.
  • Jake
    Huh. These were in the July issue of the Australian Empire for their 100th issue.
  • Erick
    Looking at that first photo of Clint Eastwood and Morgan Freeman makes me wish for "Gran Torino 2: Gran-Harder."
  • jimbo134
    or like Metallica they could do an Unforgiven 2
  • Wickedrebel
    I don't think Mr. Freeman would be back for a sequel...
  • for what its worth......mad max, risky business, luke skywalker, snake pliskin............ all of these are from movies made before 1989. that is why they're not included.

    just got the idea some people needed clarification on that.
  • Octoberist
    Image if they had Mark Hamill? Oh snap.

    Or even Kurt Russell with an eye patch, a winter parka over Chinese wifebeater! A John Carpenter trio!
  • YazzyDream
    I love the American Psycho one.
  • quintushalls
    *Machinist
  • I'm pretty sure that is American Psycho with the Axe and business cards.... not Machinist
  • quintushalls
    Yes, that part. But the facial hair and the suit made to make him look skinny, that is the Machinist.
  • Jigga
    Spacey with a cardboard box... Priceless.
  • That one is my favorite. They're all reasonably subtle but this one winks at you as well.
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