People keep trying to make Ansel Elgort happen & it’s not working

Los Angeles premiere of Sony Pictures' 'Baby Driver'

Here are some photos from last night’s LA premiere of Baby Driver. I’ve seen some of the teasers and trailers for Baby Driver and while I think there’s some good stuff there, I have some mixed feelings. Mostly about the lead, Ansel Elgort, who always looks to me like James Spader’s IRL Pretty in Pink character, Steff. If you want to cast Ansel Elgort as the villian in your ironic ‘80s throwback movie, you absolutely should. If you want to cast him as the lead in a car-chase/heist movie, I am going to have issues. Here’s the trailer:

God, I feel like an Old Person, but I don’t get Ansel Elgort. I don’t get him at all, nor do I get his casting in this role. The ensemble is great though – Jamie Foxx and Kevin Spacey are really trying to breathe life into this film. You know who also sticks out like a sore thumb, besides the lead? Lily James. A young English-rose type cast as an American waitress doing a sh-tty Southern accent? Note to directors: there are plenty of American actresses who will do those roles and they won’t sound like they’re strangling Delta Burke with their accents.

Anyway, I’m including photos of Ansel, Ansel with his girlfriend Violetta Komyshan (the young woman in red), Ansel with costar Lily James, and photos of costars Jamie Foxx, Jon Hamm and the rest of the cast. Lily’s dress is Ulyana Sergeenko and it’s incredibly boring.

Los Angeles premiere of Sony Pictures' 'Baby Driver'

Los Angeles premiere of Sony Pictures' 'Baby Driver'

Los Angeles premiere of Sony Pictures' 'Baby Driver'

Los Angeles premiere of Sony Pictures' 'Baby Driver'

Photos courtesy of WENN.

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47 Responses to “People keep trying to make Ansel Elgort happen & it’s not working”

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  1. Snazzy says:

    He’s even worse than Miles “please punch my face” whatever his last name is. At least he elicits a reaction. But this guy … ? There is nothing about him that is interesting. Why are people trying to make him happen? Does he have hollywood relatives or something?

    • Kaiser says:

      Miles “Punch-face” Teller is at least charismatic on screen. He’s a douche-bro in real life, but that kid can actually ACT. Ansel is just… there.

      • Snazzy says:

        Could be, I honestly couldn’t say (about Teller) because I’m not very objective when it comes to him. He just drives me bonkers, so I avoid his movies. Irrational, I know.

    • Neelyo says:

      I think his father is a famous photographer or something.

    • Alleycat says:

      His father is a famous something. He’s a nepotism kid.

      • Birdix says:

        His father is Arthur Elgort, who does fashion (and dance) photography. I’m sure that could have helped him if he wanted to model, but I’m not sure how much it helps him as an actor.

      • Liv says:

        A kid with a wealthy parent will have a head start period. He can spend his days preparing for auditions instead of juggling restaurant jobs. And a kid with a parent who has name recognition and orbiting the industry instantly has networking opportunities not available to everyone else. Ansel is clearly starting ahead of the pack.

    • Div says:

      Miles is douchey but he has real screen presence. Ansel is just bland and extremely forgettable. It’s not even that he’s particularly bad, it’s just that he’s extremely meh.

      That said, the film has very good reviews so far and it had a great reception at a film festival.

  2. Zuzus Girl says:

    He’s so blah on screen, just no charisma. He looks like any average high school jock

  3. astrid says:

    Don’t know who he is but he looks uncomfortable in most of these pics

  4. Mia4s says:

    Eh, he’s 23, well outside my potential interest. I have no strong feelings either way…although WTF at his attempt at a music career?? That did make me cringe.

    I just don’t see this taking off. The online critics are euphoric but I’m just not sensing (or seeing!) any general public interest. A bit like Scott Pilgrim…which was also an Edgar Wright film. I’m not saying can’t be a great movie, but great movies can bomb and I’m just not sensing the heat here. It’s a shame if I’m right.

    • third ginger says:

      Spot on about the online critics. Many, not all, are middle-aged men who want so much to be “hip” They love the film.

    • test says:

      I completely agree regarding the lack of buzz. Maybe we’ll both be proven wrong, but I’m hearing far more discussion and excitement for Atomic Blonde (another SXSW premiere). I don’t know anyone who seems terribly interested in Baby Driver, or even aware that it is coming out.

    • perplexed says:

      I knew he’s considered a nutcase now, but I wonder if people had the same reaction to Tom Cruise when he was 23. The 20something year olds cast nowadays seem so blah.

  5. Liv says:

    Hollywood didnt learn from the Taylor Lautner experiment? He “sings” too. I saw one of his music vides and laughed and laughed and laaaauughed. He’ll end up in a Ryan Murphy TV show eventually.

    • Brea says:

      I was just about to type this! I find it hilarious that he also tries to be the next Justin Bieber.

  6. nemera34 says:

    I don’t know a lot about Ansel. But looking at a few of the other actors in that cast; he is not the only one that People keep trying to make “happen” and it not work. So he is in good company.

    • booboocita says:

      So true. I always though Lily James was another “fetch.” Not gonna happen. She’s a fairly good actress, and she’s pretty, of course (she’d have to be). But I never found her particularly compelling, whether as Cinderella or on Downton Abbey.

      • lannisterforever says:

        I thought she was perfect for Cinderella – actually a better fit than Emma Watson as Belle.

        Ansel is cute but forgettable.

  7. Juju says:

    I saw it a few weeks ago at an advanced screening. It is actually really good. Ansel didnt have much dialogue and his baby face and natural presence (or lack of) worked with who the character was suppose to be.

    • slowsnow says:

      That’s exactly what I expected! He probably fits the role. It is called, after all, Baby Driver…

    • Ceire says:

      Well, I love Edgar Wright, so I’m excited to see it. I’m not sure what it would take to impress some people here, but as a film fan, I’m always happy to see original stuff in the cinema. Way too many are based on other works.

  8. Stacy says:

    The picture of him and his girlfriend. Good grief. He looks like he thinks he’s in a Hugo Boss ad. And that doily she is wearing. Yeesh. I am willing to bet if you take any 100 random people off the street and asked them who Ansel was, more would know his name than be able to point out a picture of him or name a movie he has been in.

  9. third ginger says:

    Hollywood is always straining itself to find new stars. I have been a film buff for 5 decades, and I can’t tell you all of the “next big things” I’ve seen. It’s rarely true, and always depends on a combination of talent, determination, and luck in taking full advantage of opportunities. I do not find this kid appealing, but who knows?

  10. LeedaBird says:

    Jon Hamm looks so surprised! It’s like someone took his picture and he didn’t notice until it was halfway over despite the fact that he’s walking the press carpet, lol.

    Also yikes at potato child’s girlfriend wearing a see-through dress. Hope it was intentionally picked as something see through and not the lighting making it so.

    • Sharon says:

      You can actually see the giant nipple pasties! Hope she is wearing a flesh-colored/nude thong as well!

      • I Choose Me says:

        Nipple pasties or are those her actual nipples? I was thinking it’s nice to see natural breasts (based on the way they hang) but then on other hand why am I seeing her breasts?

  11. Kata says:

    Eh, most British/American actors do horrible accents when they try to portray anyone from a non-english speaking country, so when they get eachother’s accents wrong it’s kinda hilarious.

  12. slowsnow says:

    This dude seems to have a good agent because all the parts he gets fit his type.
    This is another one of them.
    And why do we need big stars? Aren’t we all over-reacting here? LOL Poor dude.
    Most amazing actors developped slowly and got a career late like Julianne Moore, for instance. The last “it” actors despised by everyone here now but considered, until not so long ago, courageous and bold, Johnny Depp or Brad Pitt, are now a big mess. Ups and downs…
    And isn’t it all about the films, more than the stars?

    • third ginger says:

      I like your comment. I always remember a famous quote by legendary writer William Goldman [PRINCESS BRIDE, MARATHON MAN] “In Hollywood, no one knows anything.” It’s usually interpreted as the universal inability to predict all those “ups and downs” you mentioned.

      • slowsnow says:

        Haha! Same with the economists – if they could predict the ups and downs – as they pretend they do – we wouldn’t be in this mess we’re in now.

        I’m gonna keep your sentence too if you don’t mind: “the universal inability to predict all those “ups and downs””.

  13. Stacey Dresden says:

    Don’t besmirch the perfection that was 80s James Spader!!!

    • I Choose Me says:

      Right? This dude wishes he had half of James Spader’s silkily sinister charm.

      Huh, dunno why my comment ended up in the wrong spot below.

  14. TT says:

    Umm… no mention of the fabulous Flea from RHCP? I’ll see it just for him!

  15. mar_time says:

    But why are we hating on a guy who goes to work, does his job, promotes his work (and in turn the countless others who also worked hard on the film) and seems to be a nice guy (haven’t heard anything bad about him)..? I know this is celebitchy but sometimes it’s more bitchy than celeb. And I’ve known about this movie for a while, my husband always sends me cool trailers and this is one we’re planning on seeing. And I hear the soundtrack plays a big part in the movie so I’m very excited about it as a music AND movie fan

    • Josephine says:

      I absolutely agree with you. He’s really young, has mostly done films geared to teenage girls, and is trying to crank out some slightly more adult movies. I don’t get the hate. I guess it’s just so much easier to make fun/hate people these days? I love action movies so I look forward to it, and I think he looks just fine in the previews. Maybe people could actually give the firm a chance before judging?

  16. Esmom says:

    Clearly I’m in the minority but I think he’s cute and no more insufferable or untalented than half of Hollywood actors in his age group.

    But that gray turtleneck, especially in June!, is a big nope.

    • G says:

      The outfit is truly horrendous. But I’m against turtlenecks on men whatever the season.

  17. mazzie says:

    Legit had a ‘who?’ moment with him.

  18. Magnoliarose says:

    He leaves me cold but seriously his gfs pale orb encased in red is my main takeaway here. I don’t understand her dress.
    Bad Southern accents grate on my nerves. They all sound like they modeled them from Gone With the Wind.

  19. Lexilla says:

    I think the number of comments on this post perfectly illustrates the point.