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7 Actors Who Need A Liam Neeson-Style Comeback

Stars like Mel Gibson (Edge of Darkness), Denzel Washington (The Equalizer) and now Sean Penn (The Gunman, opening Mar. 20) have tried their own hand at aping Neeson’s stoic, silent-but-deadly demeanor in high-octane thrillers, with mixed results. Now, here is a list of seven fine actors who have what it takes to reinvent their careers as action heroes (and heroines), just as Neeson had.

Michelle Pfeiffer

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Younger audiences who first think of Halle Berry or Anne Hathaway when they hear the word “Catwoman” are starting to become familiar with Pfeiffer’s name. It has popped up in 2015’s biggest song so far, “Uptown Funk,” and also makes a cameo in Vance Joy’s alternative hit “Riptide,” which is receiving a lot of airplay. It seems like Pfeiffer’s name is gracing more radio stations than movie screens as of late. She has no current projects on IMDb since she finished The Family two years ago.

More than 30 years after breaking through in Hollywood, Pfeiffer still has the ‘ice cold’ that audiences look for in gutsy, determined heroines. Most recently, she oozed her dry, calculating wit in supporting roles in Dark Shadows and Hairspray. However, the fiery dramatic roles she used to covet in titles like Dangerous Minds, The Fabulous Baker Boys and White Oleander seem like a thing of the past.

With the current radio revitalization, Pfeiffer has reached a point where there is enough cultural nostalgia around her to justify placing her in an intense action flick. In interviews prior to the release of The Family – which was directed by Taken producer Luc Besson – she even stated her interest in kicking butt onscreen. When talking to Moviefone, she said, “I’d like to do an action movie. I want to be like the Kiefer Sutherland character in 24.” Given her continued appeal, a thriller with Pfeiffer as a driven, determined mom rescuing her child and fighting terrorists, a la Jack Bauer, seems like a wonderful time at the movies.