by Kyra Lennon

Created on: August 18, 2010

While Hollywood has more than its share of veteran actors, the new generation of superstars is always nipping at their heels ready to take their turn in the spotlight. There has been a surge in Hollywood actors and actresses over the past few years, and so, it's time to take a closer look at some of the best up and coming Hollywood stars on the big screen.

Robert Pattinson

Robert Pattinson got his first big break in 2005 when he starred as Cedric Diggory in Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire. These days he is best known for playing sexy vampire, Edward Cullen in the Twilight movies alongside his off-screen girlfriend, Kristen Stewart. More recently he has starred in Remember Me, in which he plays a rebellious young man named Tyler. Robert Pattinson is currently filming Bel Ami, the story of journalist Georges Duroy, in which he takes the leading role.

Gemma Arterton

Gemma Arterton is a British actress whose name became known when she starred in the St.Trinian's movie in 2007. Since then her career has gone from strength to strength. As well as starring in both St.Trinian's movies. Gemma played Strawberry Fields in Quantum of Solace, Desiree in The Boat That Rocked and Alice Creed in The Disappearance of Alice Creed. You will be able to see her in Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time in the next few months.

Dev Patel
Many people in the UK had heard of Dev Patel before Oscar winning sensation Slumdog Millionaire. Before making it in Hollywood he was a series regular in British tv show, Skins. The success of Slumdog Millionaire propelled Patel into instant fame and made him one of the world's hottest young actors.

Ellen Page

Ellen Page is rather well known for playing girls far younger than her own age, due to her very youthful appearance. Famed for playing Juno in the hit film of the same name, she is also the fourth youngest person ever to be nominated for a Best Actress Academy Award. Her other appearances have been in Stone Angel, and Smart People, in which she plays a high achieving teenager. Most recently, Ellen can be seen in Whip It which was directed by Drew Barrymore.

Michael Cera

Michael Cera was first seen in 2007 in the aptly titled, Superbad. He played the more intelligent friend of Jonah Hill's character and the two embarked on a long and silly adventure. After this, Cera took on a much more credible character in Juno, when he played the father of a pregnant teen's baby, trying to do his best to support her even though she proved hard work. His other notable appearances have been in Paper Heart and Year One.

Saoirse Ronan

Saoirse Ronan is something of a phenomenon. At the age of thirteen she was nominated for an Academy Award, a Golden Globe and an Oscar for her performance in Atonement. She was cast as Susie Salmon in the movie The Lovely Bones after sending an audition tape from Ireland to the producer of the film. So impressed was he that he didn't even ask to meet her before giving her the part.

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