I read a recent article about Djimon Hounsou and how he’s unhappy with his current status in Hollywood explaining that its hard for him to earn any money now. I have been a big fan of Hounsou’s work for a long time and was a little curious of why he wasn’t getting bigger roles, so I decided to do a quick dive into his movies and see what’s the problem. After a 30 second search I instantly found the issue with his career. Hounsou has an agent that seems to only cast him in side roles.

He started acting in 1998 and the first role I remember him in was Gladiator in 2000 where he played Juba, a side character.

Biker Boyz, a movie that I’ve seen dozens of times, yet I can’t remember him in it.

Tomb Raider which I don’t remember him in.

Constantine, which I again don’t remember him in.

The Island was great and I actually remember his character, but it wasn’t one of the main characters.

Blood Diamond is where it gets interesting. One of my favorite movies and I’m surprised Hounsou didn’t walk away with an Oscar that year, but that is the kind of movie that starts the rise in stardom for most actors. BUT he followed the role with Eragon which he wasn’t the star and the movie wasn’t good.

Never Back Down he wasn’t the main star.

Push he wasn’t the main star.

He was T’Challa in Black Panther…the cartoon show. How to Train Your Dragon 2 he was the villain who didn’t get a lot of screentime. Gurdian of the Galaxy he was random robot man.

 Seventh Son was bad and he wasn’t the star.

Furious 7 he wasn’t in the main group.

Legend of Tarzan he wasn’t the star.

King Arthur he wasn’t the star.

He reprised his role in Dragons: Race to Edge for one episode.

Aquaman he was a voice over.

Reprised his role of Robot Man in Captain Marvel

Shazam his character was Wizard.

Charlies Angles he was Bosley.

Quiet Place 2 he was Man on Island…..not even a name.

NBA 2K21 he was Coach Bishop

Invincible he was Martain Emperor, not even a name

Reprised his role again in What If as Robot Man

 The King’s Man he wasn’t the lead

Paw of Fury: The Legend of Hank I didn’t see, but since his role was Sumo, I imagine he wasn’t the lead

And lastly Black Adam and Shazam 2 he came back as Wizard for both.

One hand, he has been in a lot of big budget and highly successful movies. On the other he is always the bridesmaid and never the bride. So what is causing this? Is it a bad agent? Is it a lack of roles? Is this just a cry for attention?

If I was in his position and I felt like I’m not getting the roles that I earned, I would make my own movies or try to be casted in some emotional movie kind of like The Whale. Maybe step into the writing, directing and producing chair and make the movie you always felt you earned. He does have an interesting story. Grew up in Africa, moved the France, became a model and then went into acting. That would be a pretty interesting movie.

So instead of complaining about your place in Hollywood, maybe take a look at how far you’ve come over the years and use that motivation to propel your career to new heights.

World War Joe