Greetings, readers! Well, after taking a week off while on a much needed vacation to Florida, I am back to business this week with Friday Spotlight. Continuing with the focus on the rising stars in the film industry, today’s profile features Canton, Ohio-born Jake Abel.
While not exclusively so, but unlike many of the rising stars in Hollywood, Jake Abel’s first mainstream acting appearance was not until the age of 18, when he played in the 2005 Disney Channel TV movie, “Go Figure“. Then from 2006-2009, he had small roles in several TV shows and a few films, which sadly, I never saw (with the exception of 2009’s “The Lovely Bones” in which he starred with previously spotlighted actress, Saoirse Ronan). My introduction to Abel was not until the 2010 YA book-based fantasy film, “Percy Jackson & The Olympians: The Lightning Thief“, in which he played Luke, the demi-god son of Hermes, and the source of some serious trouble for the story’s hero, Percy Jackson. While it could be said that the supporting role of Luke, while necessary and vital to the overall tale, was not an overly “deep” part, I still felt that Abel brought the character’s cocky arrogance to life in a very fun and entertaining way so that you ultimately feel sorry for the guy, even when he’s in the midst of his misguided deeds against Percy and crew. I next saw Abel in The CW show, “Supernatural” for a 3-episode arc between late 2009/early 2010, playing Adam Milligan, a regular guy who ends up host to a NOT-so-regular being. Not to say Jake didn’t do a good job in the role, but I honestly don’t remember the episodes enough to comment effectively on them, so I am choosing to move on.
Back to the film world, Abel co-starred in the D.J. Caruso-directed YA book-based sci-fi film, 2011’s “I Am Number Four“, along with Alex Pettyfer, Dianna Agron, Theresa Palmer, Timothy Olyphant, and superb character actor Kevin Durand. Playing the role of Mark James, Able got to flex his “initially an arrogant, self-assured jock who we hate then end up liking” muscles again, and does so very effectively as he had in “Lightning Thief”. As with so many other actors/actresses that I have highlighted, I love the fact that Abel can take what, frankly, could have once again been a ho-hum character and made him believable and entertaining enough to be remembered in the film. I honestly wonder sometimes if Jake really relishes chances to play this type of person, while not seeking to be typecast AS that type of character repeatedly? After a few other minor TV roles, Abel then co-starred in the 2013 YA book-based sci-fi (I will admit, is there a SMALL pattern forming here? LOL) Andrew Niccol-directed film, “The Host“, alongside Saoirse Ronan, Max Irons, Diane Kruger, and William Hurt. This time, Abel gets to put arrogance aside and successfully pull off co-leading man status as Ian, part of a human resistance group, who falls for one half of Ronan’s dual personality character (watch the film for further explanation…Ronan is GENIUS in playing the part, but I digress). Again, Ian is a believable character that you find yourself rooting for and empathizing with as the story progresses, and Abel brings out all the emotion within the part that is needed. Finally, there was the 2013 Thor Freudenthal (yes, that actually IS his first name) directed sequel, “Percy Jackson: Sea of Monsters“, in which Abel reprises his role as Luke, who once again gets to be the primary trouble maker for Percy and his cohorts.
Currently, Abel has several upcoming projects on the film slate, including playing Mike Love in “Love & Mercy” the story about Beach Boys songwriter/musician Brian Wilson, Gene Aldrich in the true WWII survival tale “Ghosts of the Pacific“, as well as re-teaming with “The Host” director Andrew Niccol for the drama/thriller “Good Kill“. So, a solid future seems certain for this new talent to be watching for. As always, this is all for YOUR consideration and comment. Until next time, thank you for reading!
