Clint Eastwood’s seamless transition from actor to award-winning director remains one of Hollywood’s most inspiring career evolutions. Yet he’s far from the only performer to make the leap with lasting impact. Over the years, numerous actors have proven their creative range by taking control behind the scenes—crafting critically acclaimed films that rival their on-screen achievements. Whether driven by artistic ambition, creative freedom, or a desire to tell stories their own way, these stars redefined what it means to succeed in Hollywood.



<h2>Clint Eastwood</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><figure class="image"><img loading="lazy" width="1688" height="1080" src="https://ds-images.bolavip.com/news/image?src=https://images.bolavip.com/webp/spen/full/SPEN_20251116_SPEN_77154_AA1Qeo1T_92efca7c.webp&amp;width=1688&amp;height=1080" alt="" class="wp-image-77156"></figure><figcaption>Getty Images</figcaption></figure>



Clint Eastwood began his career as the iconic “Man with No Name” in spaghetti westerns and later as the tough cop Harry Callahan in the&nbsp;Dirty Harry&nbsp;series. He quietly shifted into directing in the early 1970s with films like&nbsp;Play Misty for Me, eventually winning Academy Awards for Best Director and Best Picture for&nbsp;Unforgiven&nbsp;(1992) and&nbsp;Million Dollar Baby&nbsp;(2004).



<h2>Robert Redford</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><figure class="image"><img loading="lazy" width="1688" height="1080" src="https://ds-images.bolavip.com/news/image?src=https://images.bolavip.com/webp/spen/full/SPEN_20251116_SPEN_77154_AA1Qejhf_ee7e942a.webp&amp;width=1688&amp;height=1080" alt="" class="wp-image-77155"></figure><figcaption>Getty Images</figcaption></figure>



Robert Redford achieved stardom as one of Hollywood’s leading men, then made a critically acclaimed directorial debut with&nbsp;Ordinary People&nbsp;(1980), a film that earned him the Oscar for Best Director. He built a respected career behind the camera, often tackling character-driven dramas rather than blockbusters. His transition demonstrated how an established star can quietly redirect his creative ambitions into directing. His legacy lives on.



<h2>George Clooney</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><figure class="image"><img loading="lazy" width="1688" height="1080" src="https://ds-images.bolavip.com/news/image?src=https://images.bolavip.com/webp/spen/full/SPEN_20251116_SPEN_77154_AA1QegIR_476681ed.webp&amp;width=1688&amp;height=1080" alt="" class="wp-image-77157"></figure><figcaption>Getty Images</figcaption></figure>



George Clooney was long known for his acting in films and television, but gradually embraced directing and producing with films like&nbsp;Good Night, and Good Luck&nbsp;(2005) and&nbsp;The Ides of March&nbsp;(2011). His move into the director’s chair was subtle — not loudly billed as a “star-turning-director” moment — but over time he established himself as a filmmaker with a distinct voice and political sensibility.



<h2>Ben Affleck</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><figure class="image"><img loading="lazy" width="1688" height="1080" src="https://ds-images.bolavip.com/news/image?src=https://images.bolavip.com/webp/spen/full/SPEN_20251116_SPEN_77154_AA1Qe2Ak_268b4548.webp&amp;width=1688&amp;height=1080" alt="" class="wp-image-77158"></figure><figcaption>Getty Images</figcaption></figure>



Ben Affleck’s evolution from actor to director is one of the most striking in recent decades. After early acting success, he made his directorial debut with&nbsp;Gone Baby Gone&nbsp;(2007), then followed with&nbsp;The Town&nbsp;(2010) and the Oscar-winning&nbsp;Argo&nbsp;(2012). Affleck quietly stepped behind the camera and found a new career trajectory, proving a star can pivot into a respected directing role without constant tabloid fanfare.



<h2>Greta Gerwig</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><figure class="image"><img loading="lazy" width="1688" height="1080" src="https://ds-images.bolavip.com/news/image?src=https://images.bolavip.com/webp/spen/full/SPEN_20251116_SPEN_77154_AA1QecfG_d8453962.webp&amp;width=1688&amp;height=1080" alt="" class="wp-image-77159"></figure><figcaption>Getty Images</figcaption></figure>



Greta Gerwig first gained attention as an actor and writer in the indie film scene, appearing in&nbsp;Frances Ha&nbsp;and&nbsp;Mistress America. Her transition to directing was seamless, marked by the Oscar-nominated&nbsp;Lady Bird&nbsp;(2017), a semi-autobiographical coming-of-age story that showcased her keen observational humor and emotional insight. She solidified her reputation with&nbsp;Little Women&nbsp;(2019) and&nbsp;Barbie&nbsp;(2023), the latter becoming critically and commercially successful.



<h2>Mel Gibson</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><figure class="image"><img loading="lazy" width="1688" height="1080" src="https://ds-images.bolavip.com/news/image?src=https://images.bolavip.com/webp/spen/full/SPEN_20251116_SPEN_77154_AA1Qea7M_3c0ac7b7.webp&amp;width=1688&amp;height=1080" alt="" class="wp-image-77160"></figure><figcaption>Getty Images</figcaption></figure>



Mel Gibson rose to international fame as an action star in the&nbsp;Mad Max&nbsp;and&nbsp;Lethal Weapon&nbsp;series, but his move into directing revealed an entirely new creative depth. His directorial debut,&nbsp;The Man Without a Face&nbsp;(1993), was followed by&nbsp;Braveheart&nbsp;(1995), which won five Academy Awards including Best Director. Later works like&nbsp;The Passion of the Christ&nbsp;(2004) and&nbsp;Hacksaw Ridge&nbsp;(2016) solidified his status as a filmmaker unafraid of intense themes and visceral storytelling. Despite controversy, Gibson’s directing career remains remarkably successful and influential.



<h2>Olivia Wilde</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><figure class="image"><img loading="lazy" width="1688" height="1080" src="https://ds-images.bolavip.com/news/image?src=https://images.bolavip.com/webp/spen/full/SPEN_20251116_SPEN_77154_AA1Qea7Y-1_8ec0306a.webp&amp;width=1688&amp;height=1080" alt="" class="wp-image-77161"></figure><figcaption>Getty Images</figcaption></figure>



Olivia Wilde transitioned from on-screen roles in&nbsp;House&nbsp;and&nbsp;Tron: Legacy&nbsp;to an acclaimed directing debut with&nbsp;Booksmart&nbsp;(2019), a witty, sharply observed coming-of-age comedy that earned widespread praise. She followed it with&nbsp;Don’t Worry Darling&nbsp;(2022), a bold and visually striking psychological thriller that cemented her as a filmmaker unafraid to take risks. Beyond her own projects, Wilde has become a prominent advocate for women in film, representing a new generation of actors redefining success behind the camera.



<h2>Jordan Peele</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><figure class="image"><img loading="lazy" width="1688" height="1080" src="https://ds-images.bolavip.com/news/image?src=https://images.bolavip.com/webp/spen/full/SPEN_20251116_SPEN_77154_AA1QegJ1_801a78ea.webp&amp;width=1688&amp;height=1080" alt="" class="wp-image-77162"></figure><figcaption>Getty Images</figcaption></figure>



Known initially for his sharp comedic work on&nbsp;Key and Peele, Jordan Peele surprised Hollywood by turning to horror with&nbsp;Get Out&nbsp;(2017). The film not only earned him an Academy Award for Best Original Screenplay but also redefined what socially conscious genre filmmaking could be. Peele followed with&nbsp;Us&nbsp;(2019) and&nbsp;Nope&nbsp;(2022), both critical and commercial successes. Without flashy self-promotion, he’s built a reputation as a visionary director capable of blending entertainment with incisive cultural commentary.



<h2>Edward Norton</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><figure class="image"><img loading="lazy" width="1688" height="1080" src="https://ds-images.bolavip.com/news/image?src=https://images.bolavip.com/webp/spen/full/SPEN_20251116_SPEN_77154_AA1QegIV_86882116.webp&amp;width=1688&amp;height=1080" alt="" class="wp-image-77163"></figure><figcaption>Getty Images</figcaption></figure>



Edward Norton is primarily known for his performance work as an actor, but he made a foray into directing with his film&nbsp;Keeping the Faith&nbsp;(2000). While his directing output remains modest compared to his acting career, the effort underscores how even actors known for intense performances can quietly explore a different creative direction. Norton’s directing has allowed him to apply his analytical and narrative instincts in new ways.



<h2>Jodie Foster</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><figure class="image"><img loading="lazy" width="1688" height="1080" src="https://ds-images.bolavip.com/news/image?src=https://images.bolavip.com/webp/spen/full/SPEN_20251116_SPEN_77154_AA1QequW_baaa0ce9.webp&amp;width=1688&amp;height=1080" alt="" class="wp-image-77164"></figure><figcaption>Getty Images</figcaption></figure>



Jodie Foster began acting at a young age, earning acclaim for roles in&nbsp;Taxi Driver&nbsp;and&nbsp;The Silence of the Lambs, but her career behind the camera has been equally impressive. She made her directorial debut with&nbsp;Little Man Tate&nbsp;(1991), a sensitive drama about a gifted child, and later directed&nbsp;Home for the Holidays&nbsp;(1995) and&nbsp;The Beaver&nbsp;(2011). Foster has also directed acclaimed television episodes for&nbsp;Orange Is the New Black&nbsp;and&nbsp;Black Mirror. Her directing style mirrors her acting.

10 Stars Like Clint Eastwood Who Quickly Became Successful Directors

10 Stars Like Clint Eastwood Who Quickly Became Successful Directors - Spoiler US

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Although it has barely been a year since the release of “Barbie,” it is already considered one of the most influential films in contemporary cinema. The movie grossed $1.446 billion and achieved numerous milestones, from breaking box office records to receiving critical and academic acclaim.



Its success extended beyond the theaters, sparking essential discussions on topics such as patriarchy, feminism, and existentialism from the moment the first trailer dropped.



For several months, <a href="https://spoiler.bolavip.com/en/topic/greta-gerwig">Greta Gerwig</a> was at the center of this cultural phenomenon. Recently, she was asked about the possibility of creating a picture focused on Ken, with <a href="https://spoiler.bolavip.com/en/topic/ryan-gosling">Ryan Gosling</a> reprising his role. Here’s what she had to say.



<h2>Could a Ken movie be next? Greta Gerwig speaks out</h2>



While <a href="https://spoiler.bolavip.com/en/topic/margot-robbie">Margot Robbie</a> was undoubtedly the standout in “Barbie,” Ryan Gosling’s portrayal of Ken was one of the best male performances of 2023. Fearlessly embracing the darker aspects of patriarchy, Gosling’s work received widespread praise and acclaim.



In a recent interview with 60 Minutes, director Greta Gerwig was asked about the possibility of a Ken-centric picture. She responded somewhat tentatively, ‘I mean, the truth is, you know, I guess we’ll see.’ It looks like there are no concrete plans at this stage.



This question arises partly because, shortly after the release of “Barbie,” Margot Robbie announced that her production company, LuckyChap Entertainment, would be working on more product-themed films, such as the upcoming Sims and Monopoly movies. This led to speculation about whether a sequel or a Ken-focused title could be in the works.


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However, Margot Robbie clarified that while the idea of a Ken movie hasn’t been ruled out, LuckyChap Entertainment is currently focused on creating new projects with different themes and stories. For now, it appears that Ken’s story has come to a close.

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Greta Gerwig talks about the potential for a Ken film

Greta Gerwig discusses the potential for a Ken movie

<a href="https://spoiler.bolavip.com/en/topic/greta-gerwig">Greta Gerwig</a> has joined Noah Baumbach’s upcoming untitled film, which will also star George Clooney, <a href="https://spoiler.bolavip.com/en/topic/adam-sandler">Adam Sandler</a>, Laura Dern, Riley Keough and Billy Crudup. The movie, which is being produced by <a href="https://spoiler.bolavip.com/en/netflix">Netflix</a>, is being described as a “coming-of-age film about adults.”



Baumbach, who most recently co-wrote “Barbie” with Gerwig, previously wrote and directed The Meyerowitz Stories (New and Selected), Marriage Story, and White Noise for Netflix. This time, he is partnering with Emily Mortimer, who will also appear in the film, to co-write the script.



On the other hand, Amy Pascal and David Heyman are producing. This will be one of Baumbach’s biggest <a href="https://spoiler.bolavip.com/en/movies">movies</a> in terms of talent, because apart from the mentioned stars, there is an extensive cast filled with great actors.



<h2>Complete cast of Noah Baumbach’s upcoming film</h2>



Jim Broadbent (Gangs of New York, Another Year), Jamie Demetriou (Stath Lets Flats, A Whole Lifetime with Jamie Demetriou) Lars Eidnger (All The Light We Cannot See, White Noise) Grace Edwards (Asteroid City, Call Jane) Patsy Ferran (Mickey 17, West End production of “A Streetcar Named Desire”) Isla Fisher (Wolf Like Me, Wedding Crashers) Thaddea Graham (Sex Education, Wreck) Josh Hamilton (Reality, Landscape with the Invisible Hand)



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><figure class="image"><img loading="lazy" width="1024" height="576" src="https://ds-images.bolavip.com/news/image?src=https://images.bolavip.com/webp/spen/full/SPEN_20240314_SPEN_10938_george-clooney-adam-1024x576_15b46ce8.webp&amp;width=1024&amp;height=576" alt="adam sandler george clooney" class="wp-image-10978" srcset="https://spoiler-en.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/29/2024/03/george-clooney-adam-1024x576.jpg 1024w, https://spoiler-en.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/29/2024/03/george-clooney-adam-300x169.jpg 300w, https://spoiler-en.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/29/2024/03/george-clooney-adam-768x432.jpg 768w, https://spoiler-en.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/29/2024/03/george-clooney-adam-1536x864.jpg 1536w, https://spoiler-en.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/29/2024/03/george-clooney-adam.jpg 1920w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px"></figure><figcaption>Adam Sandler and George Clooney (Neil P. Mockford/Getty Images)</figcaption></figure>



 Eve Hewson (Bad Sisters, Flora and Son) Stacy Keach (Nebraska, The Bourne Legacy) Nicôle Lecky (Mood, Sweetpea) Louis Partridge (Pistol, Enola Holmes) Alba Rohrwacher (Hungry Hearts, Hors-Saison) Charlie Rowe (Rocketman; Slow Horses) Kyle Soller (Andor, BODIES) Patrick Wilson (The Conjuring, Aquaman, Insidious, Midway)



<h2>Noah Baumbach and Greta Gerwig’s movies together</h2>



Baumbach and Gerwig, who got married in December 2023, have collaborated in several projects. Gerwig starred in “Greenberg” (2010), directed by Baumbach, alongside Ben Stiller. The film was co-written by Baumbach and his then-wife Jennifer Jason Leigh.



Then, the pair co-wrote “Frances Ha” (2012), which Baumbach directed and Gerwig starred. It is one of their, if not their most celebrated films. They repeated the same formula for Mistress America, again co-writing the script, with Gerwig starring and Baumbach directing.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><figure class="image"><img loading="lazy" width="1024" height="576" src="https://ds-images.bolavip.com/news/image?src=https://images.bolavip.com/webp/spen/full/SPEN_20240314_SPEN_10938_greta-mistress-america-1024x576_17412ac2.webp&amp;width=1024&amp;height=576" alt="mistress america" class="wp-image-10977" srcset="https://spoiler-en.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/29/2024/03/greta-mistress-america-1024x576.jpg 1024w, https://spoiler-en.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/29/2024/03/greta-mistress-america-300x169.jpg 300w, https://spoiler-en.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/29/2024/03/greta-mistress-america-768x432.jpg 768w, https://spoiler-en.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/29/2024/03/greta-mistress-america-1536x864.jpg 1536w, https://spoiler-en.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/29/2024/03/greta-mistress-america.jpg 1920w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px"></figure><figcaption>Mistress America (IMDb)</figcaption></figure>



For “White Noise” (2022), Gerwig came back only as an actress in the project. Actually, it was Gerwig who suggested herself for the part of Babette, and Baumbach agreed. “I always listen to what Greta says. She’s an actor who allows herself to be open and so vulnerable. She is hilarious, so it’s fun to see her do comedic things in the earlier parts of the movie,” he told Netflix Queue. Lastly, the two of them co-wrote “Barbie,” which was nominated for Best Adapted Screenplay at the 2024 Oscars.



<h2>Greta Gerwig will direct The Chronicles of Narnia for Netflix too</h2>



The partnership between the couple and Netflix won’t end with Baumbach’s upcoming film, as <a href="https://spoiler.bolavip.com/en/netflix/netflixs-the-chronicles-of-narnia-plot-and-start-of-filming-of-greta-gerwigs-movie-20231230-SPEN-478.html">Gerwig is also set to direct new adaptations of The Chronicles of Narnia for the streamer</a>. According to reports from World of Reel, the movie could start production later this year.

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The Chronicles of Narnia is not only one of the most acclaimed, well-known, and successful science fiction franchises in the industry, but it has also managed to leave a lasting mark on an entire generation. Always in competition with Harry Potter, the saga succeeded in standing the test of time and even produced three blockbuster films.



Now, Netflix and Greta Gerwig have joined forces to give a fresh start to the story written by C. S. Lewis in 1990. The director of Barbie has rapidly climbed the ranks and achieved a high status, building a career from independent cinema to now collaborating with one of the biggest streaming giants.



Being a favorite of many studios, the filmmaker has opted for a reboot as her next project. The plan is to create three new adaptations with a revamped cast and a substantial budget. While some believe it’s a risky move given the success of the originals, others see it as a great idea.



<h2>What is the new version of The Chronicles of Narnia about?</h2>



The successful, Oscar-winning franchise will begin anew, portraying the original story but with many additional details described in the books that did not make it into the material released by Disney. The first installment will follow four children who travel through a wardrobe to the land of Narnia, where they discover their destiny with the guidance of a mystical lion.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><figure class="image"><img loading="lazy" width="1024" height="576" src="https://ds-images.bolavip.com/news/image?src=https://images.bolavip.com/webp/spen/full/SPEN_20231230_SPEN_478_The-Chronicles-of-Narnia-1024x576_5bb06417.webp&amp;width=1024&amp;height=576" alt="William Moseley, Anna Popplewell and Georgie Henley in The Chronicles of Narnia." class="wp-image-480" srcset="https://spoiler-en.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/29/2023/12/The-Chronicles-of-Narnia-1024x576.jpg 1024w, https://spoiler-en.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/29/2023/12/The-Chronicles-of-Narnia-300x169.jpg 300w, https://spoiler-en.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/29/2023/12/The-Chronicles-of-Narnia-768x432.jpg 768w, https://spoiler-en.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/29/2023/12/The-Chronicles-of-Narnia-1536x864.jpg 1536w, https://spoiler-en.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/29/2023/12/The-Chronicles-of-Narnia.jpg 1920w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px"></figure><figcaption>William Moseley, Anna Popplewell and Georgie Henley in The Chronicles of Narnia. (Source: IMDb)</figcaption></figure>



The books depict the adventures of children transported to the magical world of Narnia, where they face challenges, discover magical powers, and engage in epic battles between good and evil. Each novel introduces new characters and exciting events, all connected by the central theme of the struggle against dark forces and the pursuit of good and justice.



In the event of multiple installments under the direction of Netflix and Greta Gerwig, the story will continue to expand, covering plots that have not yet been adapted for the big screen, as Disney’s versions only reached “The Chronicles of Narnia: The Voyage of the Dawn Treader”.



<h2>When will filming begin on The Chronicles of Narnia?</h2>



The question of whether making new Narnia films will be a great choice or not will be answered in 2024, as that is when Netflix will begin production. The agreement the production company made with the CS Lewis Company is quite substantial, as the streaming giant has committed to producing at least two titles under Gerwig’s direction.



“I haven’t even started to understand it, but it scares me a lot, and that seems like a good starting point to me. I think when I feel fear, it’s always a good sign”, the filmmaker said in an interview with Inside. Matthew Aldrich has been appointed as the “creative architect” to oversee the development, while Mark Gordon, Douglas Gresham and Vincent Sieber will serve as producers.

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