But what I would wish for any of these oh-so-young budding actresses, is for them to just be THEM.

Dakota Fanning needs to be the next Dakota Fanning. Abigail Breslin needs to be Abigail. And so on and so forth (though both Ellen Page and Evan Rachel Wood are old enough to be themselves, and clearly, that's paid off for both). Part of what makes art/artists so interesting is the artist themself! 

That is way more exciting and original than being groomed to be a replacement vehicle.  

Did anyone else check out the actual 5Top list? The pictures are fan favourites to be sure but -

1. Emma Watson
2. Clea Duvall
3. Jena Malone
4. Amber Tamblyn
5. Kristen Bell
6. Kristen Steward
7. (did I already mention Clea Duvall?!)
8. (Kristen Bell!?)
9. (and Emma Watson!?)
10. ....(and Kristen Steward!?)

Theres a whole bunch of others but one thing seems to be a fairly unifying theme - tell me these all arn't favourites on every lesbian-favourites list? They are definately up-and-coming-forces-to-be-reconed-with.

My top 5 are (in absolutely no order) Ellen Page, Clea Duvall, Kristen Bell, Kristen Steward and Emma Watson. The Fanning sisters are definately marked but perhaps more in the aspiring Darryl Hannah category.

Personally, i'll be casting a vote for Kristen Bell shes strong, supportive, reserved and possibly the most diverse actress in the group. (INMHO) ... (whoo-hoo acronyms!)

and of course for some Jodie Foster fun...

I have seen both Hard Candy and Juno, as well as the preview clips of Smart People and her turn on SNL.  I'm not sold on her RANGE of talent, nor her DEPTH.  Back in January I blogged on that topic.  So as not to totally repeat myself, here's the link:

Ellen Page - Mature Beyond Her Age

To this day, I don't understand the accolades for Jodi's acting.  If you look at her body of work (that tank top, ahem, focus here), her perfomances are stilted and not terribly deep.  She seems to lack the emotional range and chameleon-like quality of say, a Meryl Streep, a Cate Blanchett, even a Nicole Kidman.  I guess for me, if you love Jodi as a person, you love her onscreen.  If you're looking for someone who creates a wholly new character and a unique piece of art in each film, there are better choices.

Ok, back to that tank top.  For heaven's sake.

definitely!.

lovely girl!

I agree with merelmeryl. Ms. Foster might be a nice person (I'll never know) and gets props for being a kid star who morphed into an adult actor but she's a one trick pony these days. She's coasted along for years playing versions of the same character, so I don't really understand all the love.

I too want the next child star turned adult actor to excel at being themselves - not some Foster-like clone.

As for Lindsay Lohan, the girl ain't dead yet - give her a chance to grow up & figure her shite out before writing her off. I mean, c'mon - who knows what the sainted Ms. Jodie was up to in her early twenties! As for Evan Rachel Ward, I always figured that kid had a bit of dark streak.

As for the white tank, meh .. now Angela Bassett in a white tank ... now that makes my day brighter!

Ellen Page started working at age 10. So definately a child actress to begin with.

I would say talent, smarts, maturity, sanity, and longevity would be the qualities I'd look for in a next generation Jodie.I saw her in an early movie Marion Bridge (Canadian movie) where she had a small role. But I knew then she'd be special. Even then, she was spellbinding. She's been prolific in the last couple of years: Mouth to Mouth, Hard Candy, Juno, An American Crime, Tracey Fragments, Smart People. It'll be interesting when she plays her first "grownup role" in Peacock (upcoming) as a young mother.

Ellen wins hands down. For a start, she's reached the age when - if you're likely to go crazy and over the top - she'd have started down that road already. Look at Lindsay Lohan, Btiney Spears etc...

She's uber-smart (see interviews), unfazed by the spotlight, indifferent to the Hollywood party lifestyle and very much her own woman, already. I can see her directing films in her 30's.

Talking of which, Sarah Polley seems to have fulfilled Ace14's list....although she's taken a left turn somewhat: started acting age 5, left home aged 14, turned her back on Hollywood (in her late teens? dropped out of Almost Famous), directed her first (award winning) film Away from Her, aged 27. Whip smart, mature, sane.

Neither Dakota or Abigail have reached the litmus test age of teenhood. Hard to tell how they'll be by then.

Katee Sackhoff, because she's blond and kicks ass, just like Jodie.  Does it have to be a child actress?

Kristen Stewart!! I can't get over how cute she looked in Panic Room when she played Jodie's tomboy daughter. And she's grown up quite nicely, I must add lol. She's gotten pretty good reviews for her roles in Speak and Into the Wild, so hopefully she'll continue on with a successful career. 

Kristen and Ellen Page both have that cool, laid back thing about them that Jodie has. *swoon* And they seem to have the potential of being the next big lesbian obsession ahahah (I swear, Kristen looks like a younger version of Kate Moennig sometimes)

I didn't quite catch that, was a little distracted by Rachel McAdams' llllllegs...lol

______________________________

Arrr, let's goooooo...

i'd definitely give natalie portman(harvard grad) and jennifer love hewitt the jodie foster award. we'll see what happens with abigail and dakota. i hope it works out for them.

ellen page, don't really see her in that capacity. she was good in hard candy and had a small role in x-men but i haven't seen her in anything else

Read her IMDB bio:  http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0001593/bio

Love Pussy xx

I don't care what anyone says, I've seen everything Ellen Page has done (well most of it) and she certainly has a range and depth in her acting that many adult actors who have been working for decades still havent' mastered! She's amazing. And not just as an actress, but she seems to be a really genuine, sweet girl. You can tell that she thinks about the roles she chooses and she has said herself that she chooses roles that have something to say...she definitely has a bright future. And, *crosses fingers*, there are some lesbian rumors ;] So who knows?! Maybe she's following more in Jodie's footsteps then we thought! Bottomline is: Ellen Page = Amazing. I'd totally date her. ;]

[["And we must remember that all these things, the nuances, the anomalies, the subtleties, which we assume only accessorize our days, are effective for a much larger and nobler cause. They are here to save our lives. ]]

First off, I will admit that I have not seen Juno (shoot me later) and that Ellen Page is all the rage right now, but I must say, it seems like she's pretty new to the game and it's too hard to figure her out just yet.  She just might go all Lindsey Lohan.  But Dakota, there's your girl.  The maturity level at which she takes in all her roles (although there was more than enough screaming in War of Worlds) has me an awe, Let alone the actual interviews she gives.  Anyone remember her  on The Rosie Show.  Perhaps the only thing that creeps me out about her, is the fact that I see a woman trapped in that little girl's body.  She has my vote.

"I don't kiss girls who wear doilies"

I find the list of "nominees" to all be a really great list of talented young actresses working hard at their craft in this frenetic Hollywood life.

My greatest hope would be that they simply continue to work at their craft and like Jodie choose films as wisely as possible and not just take jobs in everything that comes along. I also hope that they manage to keep their private lives a bit more to themselves (like Jodie), rather than being subjected to the ever growing scourge of rabid paparazzi. I feel that in order to maintain sanity in "Hollyweird" you have to keep some of yourself for just you, otherwise everyone thinks they know you and they paint a picture of you that becomes a difficult one to change. 

I'm a bit ambivalent about saying that so and so is the next anyone or anything, as it seems like that's all anyone ever does with the new generation of talent that emerges in Hollywood. The media dub someone the next "hot young thing" or the next "Jodie Foster" or the next "Meryl Streep" and this can sometimes pigeonhole an actress and make it even harder for them to sustain a long and successful career, because it is as if we're always one step away from discarding someone and latching onto someone else, particularly if they don't live up to the "next whatever" image they were saddled with.

In the end the legacy these "new crop" of actresses leave behind will be personified by the body of work they leave behind as well as their conduct offscreen that will help to put their names on a list amongst peers like Jodie Foster and that would certainly (if I were an actress) be a list that I would like to see my name on. 

(Self Appointed) "#1 Bridget McManus Fan"

and so the others shall remain too.....but, despite the stupidity of the poll, my bets lie in the direction of Ellen Page....if we really HAVE to pick someone

forever, 'wicked' ;-)

My 2 cents worth on this is that I'm not into this list thing and I have to go with Pirategrrl and all others who are of the opinion that each actress needs to have and leave their own legacy.

I love Jodie Foster and think she's one of the smartest persons to walk the face of the earth.  She makes sound decisions, is unpretentious, she's gorgeous beyond words among other things, but I digress.

I do understand however where the article and list are coming from; but it's just not something I subscribe to.  I don't want another Jodie Foster (not that the article is suggesting that nor would I be displeased at another Jodie Foster).  What I want is another smart, gorgeous (would be a plus), well-grounded, professional, hard-working and certainly talented young actor to make a good and positive transistion from child to teen to adult star.

And to be perfectly honest the only person deserving of my vote (now let me declare that I am not an ardent TV/Movie watcher at all) is Emma Watson.  A lot of the others I haven't seen their work but I have seen Dakato and her sister at work and I tip my hat to the Fannings especially Dakota but I would not consider her Jodie material at all - at least not yet.  Dakota is definitely one to watch; I love her on screen but there's just something that says 'wait and see'.

Abigail Breslin, I'm not sold on her at all.  I'm happy for her success thus far, but I'm not at all impressed though.  However, she's still young and has gotten off to a good start.  I just haven't seen her in a role that says 'yes, I'm talented; I've got what it takes to do this or that or be great in this role'.

Ellen Page, I'm yet to feel the 'hype'.  Sometimes I wonder if there's something wrong with me.  I confess, I haven't seen Juno or much of any of her other work and I did see her on SNL and that was ok.  I've seen the trailer for Smart People and I'm definitely looking forward to the movie.  I'll be in a better position to say much more about her and her acting after I view this I suppose.

Kristen Bell, haven't seen much of her work but don't feel that pull either.

The one person who is deserving and for who I did vote was Emma Watson.  That young woman has "IT".  She pulls me to the screen whenever she's on it.  She reminds me very much of Meryl Streep.  There's just "something" about her.  Add the fact that she's definitely smart, open-minded, self-confident, secure in her beliefs, etc and you've got a guaranteed winning combination.  Natalie Portman is definitely deserving as well.

And finally regarding Lohan, I'm with those who say that her career isn't over yet. If you are going off of the work that she's already done, she deserves a lot more damn credit that she's been given.  It irks me much when all the people have done (the positive that is) is cast out so easily once a mistake is made.  I am definitely sick of the state she's in now.  It pisses me off.  But seriously, which one of Lohan's movies has just totally sucked thus far?  Which of her performances to date has been disappointing or lacking talent?  Which movie has she done that wasn't worth the money to go and see it?  My answer, absolutely none.  Her body of work is one that she can and should be proud of.  I know I am.  Georgia Rule got a lot of flack from viewers and critics alike but that movie is a damn good one.  If you haven't seen it, I recommend it highly.  The three lead females - Jane Fonda, Felicity Huffman and Lindsay Lohan were at the f**king top of their game.  Spot on were they - ALL three of them.  And the movie itself was damn good.  It took a very serious issue and dealth with it in a very real/credible way and very different from the norm.  They all deserved award nods for their performances in that movie.

I think I've used up my fair share of space on this topic.

Peace

She may not be a "child" now, but she has been acting since she was young. I've seen small bits of her early work, eg., "Pit Pony", "Marion Bridge." As a woman on the verge of adulthood, Page seems to have things together as a person. She also seems quite intelligent, another Foster quality.

I was surprised to see that Anna Paquin and Natalie Portman were not on the MSNBC list. Even Kirsten Dunst was missing.  They all started young, have serious, definitely un-smarmy work under their belts, have yet to exhibit crazy, publicity-addicted behavior (Kirsten-hmm?), and should not be counted out of the talented actor pool just yet.  Though they may have made some questionable choices as of late (big budget gravy trains like X-Men, Star Wars and Spiderman sagas), clearly 2 of the 3 meet the stated criteria.  1 stint @ Cinque Lodge does not a fallen starlet make; therefore, I believe Kirsten still qualifies. 

Of those listed, my expectations and hopes are for Jena Malone.  She may not have the clamoring fans that Dakota does or the hype currently following Ms Page, but her body of work is varied, with several notable turns.  And despite her early start, she's still going strong!  

Even before seeing the list of choices, I thought of Evan Rachel Wood.

She stood out from an excellent cast on Once and Again, and moved easily back into film with several great performances (Thirteen, Down in the Valley, The Upside of Anger, etc.) I think she has a very bright acting future ahead of her.

When I first heard she was dating Marilyn Manson, I was surprised but more for the age difference. I don't like Manson's music, and his videos and stage persona kind of creep me out, however, Brian Warner, the offstage man, actually seems to be very intelligent and thoughtful. Remember him in Bowling for Columbine?

I didn't think of Jena Malone until someone else mentioned her, but she also seems a good choice.

...how many people have failed to give props to Evan Rachel Wood. She is clearly a very talented actress and has quite a diverse range.

To the same effect, I definitely agree with the majority of posters about Ellen Page. It'd be rather short sighted to simply look at her more mainstream films (and I include Hard Candy here). If one looks at her entire repertoire, it's quite clear that she has skills far beyond those displayed in Juno, which I still fear may pigeonhole her to be typecast.

Beyond those two, who I would consider the heavy contenders in this pseudo-competition, I see Jena Malone as potentially the dark horse in this race. She doesn't grace the mainstream that often, but is still extremely talented. Amber Tamblyn also falls into this category.

I find it troubling that actresses as young as Dakota Fanning and Abigail Breslin are included in this. As some have mentioned before they are far too young for us to have an idea if they will excel beyond the "awkward youth" stage. You never know. They could fall victim to the dissappearing act that befalls a great many (former) child actors and actresses.

All in all (although I don't think that Jodie Foster is the ideal mark for comparison) these are the top 3 I feel could maintain longevity in their acting careers (which is what this list is really about):
1. Evan Rachel Wood
2. Ellen Page
3. Jena Malone

In that order.

"i do not have many vitamins but i am 100% of the daily allowance of DELICIOUS"

Let's focus on:  "which young, talented actress will grow up to have a happy, private, lesbian family".

For that and for all her talent my vote goes to Ellen Page! I completely adore her! 

Ace you have to wacht card candy all you questions will be gone and to lure you this is before juno

look those ABS!!!!

Or is she persona non Grata these days??? Also what about Sophie Ward(ok she is not up and coming, but she is an out leading actress)

Jodie Foster would never have a creepy relationship with Marilyn Manson."

Yeah, talk about controversy. She's dating an older person and is happy. How about focusing on her acting career rather than her personal life?