From revamped superheroes to the most eligible bachelor of the 1920s, this summer’s lineup of leading men is too hot for television, which is why they’re scorching up the big screen! And bigger is always better when you are seated in front of a 40-foot projection of Superman’s flawless face (Drool? No, this puddle is from my spilled Coke…). We’ve served up a buffet of male actors and selected only the sweetest eye candy for your pleasure—your dentist can thank us later. No matter your flavor, we guarantee there is an on-screen cutie to suit your tastes. So pause your TiVo and see what delicious men are gracing your movie theaters for the summer of 2013!
If you like the courageous type, you’ll love… Henry Cavill in Man of Steel
There’s nothing quite like a classic superhero movie to kick-start our summer celebrity crushes, and we’re probably not alone in thinking Henry Cavill is the one fine way to begin. You may have seen the British actor—and heard his dreamy accent—in the TV series The Tudors, where he made man leggings and bedazzled coats look flattering. So it comes as no surprise that he looks just as fantastic in blue and red spandex.
The superhuman hottie has had years of experience wooing viewers like Kate, a senior and HC Campus Correspondent at Skidmore College. She says, “I’ve been nursing a serious crush for him since he was a youngin’ in The Count of Monte Cristo, so I can’t wait to see him all grown up! Geeky Clark Kent by day and swoon-worthy hero by night? Honestly, I can’t think of any part of that that I wouldn’t like.”
If you like the sophisticated type, you’ll love… Leonardo DiCaprio in The Great Gatsby
Few makeovers come close to DiCaprio’s starving-artist-to-dashing-escort transformation in Titanic. But now, almost two decades later, Leo has traded his priceless maritime romance for new money, namely for his role of millionaire Jay Gatsby in The Great Gatsby, the hot romantic blockbuster based on F. Scott Fitzgerald’s classic novel.
DiCaprio plays the party-loving neighbor of Nick Carraway (played by Tobey Maguire), a newcomer to the wealthy West Egg district. DiCaprio is the poster boy for class and shows us a man can be both the life of the party and a hopeless romantic. He pursues a forbidden romance with his longtime crush, Daisy Buchanan (played by Carey Mulligan), after many nighttime stakeouts looking for the light by her dock (and if that’s not a declaration of love, then we don’t know what is). The girl knows her fashion, but we aren’t so sure about her taste in men. What kind of girl would keep Leo waiting for years?
If you like the tough type, you’ll love… Hugh Jackman in The Wolverine
In the latest installment of the X-Men series, rough-and-tumble Jackman is offered a cure for his immortality, which is a shame, because there’s something romantic about forever actually meaning forever. Despite experiencing more humanlike characteristics (like flesh wounds that last longer than a few seconds), this troublemaker can’t help indulging his combative instincts. Jackman’s fearlessness in battle is total turn-on (although it makes us cringe during brutal fight scenes—and there are many!). We just hope this beauty of a beast survives the movie because immortal or not, Jackman is a leading man we could stare at for eternity!
[pagebreak]
If you like the silly type, you’ll love… James Franco in This Is The End
As if James Franco didn’t go through enough torture in 127 Hours (we’re still trying to forget that gruesome self-amputation scene), he faces yet another disaster in this summer’s funniest apocalyptic comedy (do those two words usually go together?). Franco co-stars with a stacked cast of natural comedians, such as Jonah Hill and Seth Rogen, and big names like Rihanna and Emma Watson—all who play themselves! The storyline follows an unlikely mix of celebrities to a party at Franco’s house, where an end-of-the-world crisis occurs mid-dance tune. But we must say, being quarantined in a house with a disheveled Franco would not be our worst nightmare!
We love how the dog-eat-dog mentality brings out Franco’s goofy side (and Emma Watson’s scary side in a robbery involving an axe). Despite having a collection of impressive roles under his belt, Franco doesn’t take himself too seriously—and we love a man with a sense of humor! He’s a pro at letting loose (refer to his dopiest role yet in Spring Breakers), but he also has Bear Grylls survival skills to be our knight in shining armor in any worst-case scenario.
If you like the independent type, you’ll love… Paul Walker in Fast & Furious 6
From undercover cop to criminal to man above the law, Walker’s change in loyalty throughout the Fast & Furious series is on the verge of giving us whiplash. But we can totally respect a guy who marches to the beat of his own drum. He has the bull-headed determination that thrives in a zero-to-60 lifestyle, yet there are some things in Brian O’Conner’s life that are worth the sacrifice, such his on-and-off love interest, Mia. After five movies of relationship turbulence, however, the couple reaches a new high with the arrival of their first child! Even though street racing doesn’t exactly scream: “Father of the Year,” we’re excited to see Walker’s nurturing side as well as his usual expertise behind the steering wheel.
If you like the mysterious type, you’ll love… Armie Hammer in The Lone Ranger
You may remember this rising star from The Social Network where he played the dual role of entrepreneurial powerhouse the Winklevoss twins (have mercy, we can barely handle one of him!). Hammer makes his return to the big screen in this action-packed western film, playing the rugged, justice-seeking Lone Ranger who wears a mask to protect his identity. However, we think the real purpose of the mask is to achieve his sexy vigilante-on-the-run look, complete with a cowboy hat and an impeccable five o’clock shadow. Whatever the reason, we hope the mask doesn’t stay on for long (Is obstruction of perfection a crime?). Between the sweltering hot lead actors (Johnny Depp plays Hammer’s loyal sidekick) and pulse-quickening plot, this movie will surely leave your heart Hammering.
When the end credits roll, it doesn’t mean your infatuation has to end (but you do have to pick your jaw up from the ground and leave the theater). Tell us your favorite leading man in the comments below! Then, invest in a poster (or five) to hold you over until the DVDs come out.