The Second British Invasion

Just like we had a music invasion in the 60's, I think we have a movie invasion in the 00's. British stars such as Russell Brand, Simon Pegg, Daniel Radcliffe, Robert Pattinson and Michael Caine have risen to great fame in high grossing films. 

Michael Caine has starred in the The Dark Night and also in the film Inception which became very popular in the U.S.  Daniel Radcliffe and Robert Pattinson are huge in the U.S. for their lead roles in The Harry Potter and Twilight series. Ian McKellen has also starred in many films that have had a big following in the U.S. such as the Lord of the Rings and the X-Men trilogys. 

This invasion started in 2000 and since then British actors have been taking over  movie theaters and TVs all over America. Orlando Bloom is another example, starring in popular trilogys like Pirates of the Caribbean and Lord of the Rings. Helen Mirren has become big in America in the last five years for her roles in The Queen, National Treasure Book of Secrets, Red and The Tempest. Christian Bale has also become popular for his portrayal of Batman/Bruce Wayne in the recent Batman films.

British comedians are also becoming big. Rowan Atkinson with  Love Actually, Rat Race and the Mr. Bean movies. Russell Brand in Forgetting Sarah Marshall, Bedtime Stories, St Trinian's and Get Him to the Greek. Other comedians who are becoming big in the  U.S. are  Simon Pegg for his roles in Hot Fuzz and Shaun of the Dead and  Scotty in the new Star Trek. Former Monty Python John Cleese has also starred in trilogy's such as Shrek and Harry Potter. Action star Jason Statham has also become big for his role in the Transporter series.

English director Christopher Nolan made the films Dark Knight and Inception which have become huge box office hits in the U.S. Another English director that has made it big in the United States is Ridley Scott. In 2000 Scott directed the film Gladiator which went on to win 5 Oscars including Best Picture and Director at the 73rd Academy Awards. Scott's next film, Black Hawk Down in 2002 would win 2 Oscars. Danny Boyle has also become very well known in America for the film Slumdog Millionaire which won 8 Oscars including Best Director and Best Picture.

Many aging English actors came back to the U.S. to take voice roles in animated films. Julie Andrews recorded in the second, third and fourth Shrek films and most recently in Despicable Me. Christopher Plummer who is 81 was the voice of the villain in Up. Peter O'Toole had a part in Ratatoulille. Michael Caine will be starring in two animated films this year, Gnomeo and Juliet and Cars 2.

Other invaders include Alan Rickman, Andy Serkis, Timothy Dalton, Keira Knightley, Ralph Fiennes, Gary Oldman and Johnathan Pryce . All of these actors have starred in trilogys that have become very popular in America. 

Like British bands and musicians that became big in the 60s, British actors are making new fans in the USA.  I guess (tongue in cheek) they're still invading to make up for that loss they suffered in the 1700s.