[Sam the Sham]

The Hollywood of pre-1970 liked heroes.

"Gladiator" was a throwback to the sword and sandal movies of the 50's. Aside from that Hollywood wants self-doubting whiners, Woody Allen's with guns.

[Paul Atreides]

Woody Allen's with guns.

Talk about contradiction!

[liberallarry]

I disagree.

Off the top of my head I cite

John Travolta in "Get Shorty"
Russell Crowe in "Gladiator", "Master and Commander", and "L.A. Confidential",
Harrison Ford in "Witness"
Jude Law in "Enemy at the Gates"
Pierce Brosna in "The Thomas Crown Affair" and all the James Bond movies"
Brad Pitt in "Snatch" and the one where he plays a star-crossed lover.

There are many, many others.

[liberallarry]

Must not forget Anthory Hopkins as "Hannibal the Cannibal"

[Siamese Princess]

"Gladiator" was a throwback to the sword and sandal movies of the 50's. Aside from that Hollywood wants self-doubting whiners, Woody Allen's with guns.

Compare the self-confident Aragorn of the LOTR books versus the self-doubting Aragorn of the movies. Part of the problem, I think, is that there are very very few actors under the age of 50 and even 60 who can convincingly play heroes. Russell Crowe is one of the few.