Once the dashing young star of blockbusters like Pearl Harbor and Black Hawk Down, Josh Hartnett seemed to vanish from Hollywood’s limelight for nearly two decades. However, he’s back with a bang, shedding his heartthrob image in favor of more complex, intriguing roles.
Hartnett’s resurgence began last year with a notable role in the Oscar-winning Oppenheimer. He followed this with guest appearances in the critically acclaimed TV series The Bear and Black Mirror. Now, Hartnett is set to captivate audiences as the lead in M. Night Shyamalan’s latest thriller, Trap.
In Trap, Hartnett portrays Cooper, a devoted father who takes his teenage daughter to a concert by a Taylor Swift-esque pop star. But there’s a twist—Cooper is revealed to be a serial killer, and the concert is a meticulously planned police sting to capture him. “The conceit of this movie, which is so cool, is that we tell you right off the bat he’s the bad guy,” Hartnett explains. Despite his dark role, the audience is drawn into rooting for Cooper as he navigates the dangerous situation.
At 46, Hartnett reflects on his career journey. Speaking via Zoom, he shares his thoughts on his Hollywood hiatus. “These directors just now find me interesting,” he says with a laugh. “Maybe a few years ago, I was too young to be interesting? Maybe I hadn’t lived enough?”
Hartnett’s career took a sharp turn when he turned down the chance to play Superman at the height of his fame, choosing instead to retreat from Los Angeles. He returned to his roots in Minnesota and eventually moved to England, continuing to act but away from the Hollywood spotlight.
“I love a high-wire act and I also love the chance that maybe I’m going to fall flat on my face—it gets me excited,” Hartnett confesses. “I feel a yearning to do that sort of work.”
Trap marks a return to the genres that first brought Hartnett acclaim. His debut film role was in the 1998 horror sequel Halloween H20, followed by teen thrillers like The Faculty and The Virgin Suicides. He soon ascended to the Hollywood A-list with his heroic role in Pearl Harbor alongside Ben Affleck.
Josh Hartnett’s Hollywood return is not just a comeback—it’s a reinvention. With his latest roles, he’s proving that he’s more than just a former heartthrob. He’s an actor with depth, range, and a fearless approach to his craft.
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