It really does seem as if Justin Timberlake has been around for an eternity, and with the release of his new film FRIENDS WITH BENEFITS – co-starring Mila Kunis – THN has decided to look back at a varied career. one that’s hitting its stride right about now.
As everyone will undoubtedly know, his burgeoning career began at the world famous House of Mouse itself with THE NEW MICKEY MOUSE CLUB (along with fellow rising stars Christina Aguliara, Ryan Gosling and some would say his ‘one true love’ Britney Spears). After his Mousketeer days at Disney, he then moved on to gather a legion of female fans as the lead singer of ‘teeny bopper’ band *NSYNC. It wasn’t until the band break-up and the launch of his solo career that the Timberlake brand hit the stratosphere.
His first solo album showed that he was marketable beyond pre-teen girls, and a change of style in his music and appearance, along with huge commercial sales of his ‘Justified’ album made raised his profile even more. Grammy and Emmy awards soon followed, along with cameos in other artists music (such as The Black Eyed Peas and Madonna). His romantic relationships with the likes of Britney Spears, Jessica Biel, and Cameron Diaz played out in the gossip columns of newspapers and magazines, thus making sure he was always in demand, and it wasn’t long until the movie world began to take notice.
After a brief appearance in his former *NSYNC band mate Lance Bass’ movie ON THE LINE, Timberlake’s scored his first major role. It seemed like a dream come true as he worked alongside box office names Morgan Freeman and Kevin Spacey in EDISON FORCE(2005), a tale of a young journalist who uncovers a web of corruption inside a unit of the Edison police department. Unfortunately for Timberlake the movie was hardly the caliber of the similar crusading journo classic ALL THE PRESIDENTS MEN. After test screenings in the US and uncertainty from the studio, the film was released for the direct-to-DVD market.
2006 had mixed results for Timberlake. ALPHA DOG saw him star with a number of young rising actors, Emile Hirch (SPEED RACER), Amanda Seyfried (MAMMA MIA) and BEN FOSTER (3:10 TO YUMA) in the true story of the youngest ever person to appear on the FBI’s Most Wanted list. Unlike his uneven performance in his previous movie, Timberlake gave a committed portrayal; his character suited him, and he held his own with the more established young actors on screen. The film was a commercial hit as well as a critical success. With the opportunity to work with director-of-the-moment Richard Kelly (DONNIE DARKO), Timberlake took a role in SOUTHLAND TALES, a strange and uneven film that never really makes sense, with interwoven characters and timelines set in a futuristic LA. The film predictably bombed at the box-office. Although it also starred Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson and Sarah Michelle Gellar (THE GRUDGE) it was director Richard Kelly who fared worst, and his career never recovered.
BLACK SNAKE MOAN, director Craig Brewer’s follow-up to his hit HUSTLE AND FLOW, saw another chance for Timberlake to work with seasoned pros. He was able to learn from the likes of Samuel L. Jackson (PULP FICTION) and Christina Ricci (SLEEPY HOLLOW).
Voice over work followed in 2007, with the mega-hit SHREK THE THIRD. Whilst being the weakest in the series, that didn’t stop the fans flocking to see their favourite star feature alongside regular cast members Mike Myers, Eddie Murphy and Cameron Diaz. The filmmakers exploited Timberlake’s singing for the character of Artie, the true heir to the kingdom of Far Far Away. Working with Mike Myers again in his next feature may not have been such a good idea. Hoping for another AUSTIN POWERS style hit, THE LOVE GURU would prove a disaster for all involved. The ‘comedy’ was not only critically mauled, but audiences also avoided this stinker.
After a small independent film, THE OPEN ROAD with Jeff Bridges (THE BIG LEBOWSKI), Timberlake’s best performance to date came in David Fincher’s THE SOCIAL NETWORK as Napster creator Sean Parker. Along with Jesse Eisenberg and Andrew Garfield (who gave career best turns), Timberlake gave a compelling and slimy turn as the man who weasels his way between the two best friends responsible for the Facebook phenomenon. The film was huge hit both commercially and critically, going on the receive numerous nominations and awards.
It seems as if 2011 could be Justin Timberlake’s year. The hit kids’ comedy YOGI BEAR saw him voice Boo Boo, then he went ‘against type’ as a nerdy high school teacher in the comedy BAD TEACHER alongside Cameron Diaz. It was another box office hit for the 30 year-old.
Upcoming is the imminent release of FRIENDS WITH BENEFITS, a smart romantic comedy with heart. It also features Mila Kunis (FORGETTING SARAH MARSHALL), Woody Harrelson (NATURAL BORN KILLERS) and Richard Jenkins (LET ME IN).
November sees him re-team with ALPHA DOG co-star Amanda Seyfried for action-thriller IN TIME, Writer and Director Andrew (GATTACA) Niccol’s futuristic vision of a world where only the rich are able to survive past the age of 25 while the rest of civilisation must work for the privilege or face the deadly consequences.
FRIENDS WITH BENEFITS is released on 9th September.
