25 Under 25: Hollywood's Hottest Young Stars (2009)

25 Under 25: 2009s Hottest Young Actors

Prepare to feel old. The actors you are about to see have combined for numerous Oscar nominations, hundreds of magazine covers, and billions in box office earnings -- all before reaching the quarter-century mark.

They're preteen wunderkinds and proven veterans. They've been acting for a dozen years, or just landed their biggest role yet. All get our vote as Hollywood's most exciting young stars, hot today with the potential to be even hotter tomorrow.

Presenting Moviefone's third annual list of the 25 hottest young stars under the age of 25.

(Click on the photo to view in full-screen mode.)

WireImage / AP / Corbis (2)

Robert Pattinson

Age: 23

Years on List: 2007, 2008, 2009

What He's Done: You don't have to be a 'Twi'-hard to appreciate R-Pattz's smoldering gaze in the first film adaptation of the teen-vampire love story 'Twilight.'

What's Next: The 'Twilight' saga continues; 'New Moon' will hit theaters later this year, and 'Eclipse' -- already filming -- is set for summer 2010. If that's not enough Pattinson for you, also look for him in the 2010 indie romantic drama 'Remember Me.'

Industry Buzz: "Pattinson could have a tidy career for the next few years as a hunky British heartthrob ... Don't hold the 'Twilight Saga' against him; he's willing to play against type with roles like Salvador Dali in 'Little Ashes,' and the willingness to take roles like that means he could be working for a long time to come." -- Matt Atchity, RottenTomatoes

Andrew Ross, Corbis

Megan Fox

Age: 23

Years on List: 2007, 2008, 2009

What She's Done: Fox made another summer a lot hotter, with 'Transformers 2,' the year's biggest box office earner thus far. And she continues to be the world's best interview -- just when you think she's said the craziest thing ever, she tops herself.

What's Next: 'Jennifer's Body' (the comedy horror penned by 'Juno' scribe Diablo Cody) is just around the corner; and she'll play a hooker in 2010's 'Jonah Hex' and a water-breathing superhero in the in-development 'Fathom.'

Industry Buzz: "The smartest thing Megan Fox did this year is admit that we've never seen her act in a movie. Then she cashed her planetoid-sized check for 'Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen.' She really knows how to play the media smartly and, in case you haven't noticed, she ain't exactly hard on the eyes." – Jordan Hoffman, UGO.com

Tony Barson, WireImage

Scarlett Johansson

Age: 24

Years on the List: 2007, 2008, 2009

What She's Done: Though she's never scored an Oscar nod, she's earned critical kudos for her turns in 'Lost in Translation,' 'The Girl With the Pearl Earring' and Woody Allen's 'Match Point' and 'Vicki Cristina Barcelona.'

What's Next: At long last, ScarJo is going superhero: She'll play Natasha Romanoff, otherwise known as the leather-clad villainous vixen the Black Widow, in next summer's eagerly anticipated 'Iron Man 2.' Also, she'll continue to make you wish you were Ryan Reynolds.

Industry Buzz: "She's one of Hollywood's sexiest and most varied actresses -- at any age. Whether it's a period piece, a rom-com or the upcoming actioner 'Iron Man 2,' no one plays sultry and fascinating better than Johannson ... She'll continue to add that trademark sexiness to a variety of genres, and may evolve into her generation's Michelle Pfeiffer." -- Chuck Walton, Fandango

Jon Kopaloff, FilmMagic

Daniel Radcliffe

Age: 20

Years on List: 2007, 2008, 2009

What He's Done: Ever heard of a little film series called 'Harry Potter'? Well, we hear he's in it. He also bared his soul -- and a lot more -- onstage in 'Equus'; how many other young actors have done that (without there being alcohol or a bet involved)?

What's Next: His next non-Potter project is a biopic entitled 'The Journey Is the Destination,' in which he plays the late photojournalist Dan Eldon, who was killed in 1993 by a mob in Mogadishu.

Industry Buzz: "When you're the title character of the biggest moneymaking film franchise of all time, you might just be content to sit back and enjoy the ride. But Radcliffe has shown a real willingness to branch out as an actor in 'Equus' and 'December Boys.'" -- Matt Atchity, RottenTomatoes

Tim Whitby, Getty Images

Gemma Arterton

Age: 23

Years on Lists: 2008, 2009

What She's Done: She reportedly beat out 1,499 other candidates to score the role of ill-fated 007 temptress Strawberry Fields in 'Quantum of Solace.'

What's Next: Two mega-roles: She'll get lo -- that's her character's name -- opposite Sam Worthington in March 2010's 'Clash of the Titans,' and play princess to Jake Gyllenhaal's 'Prince of Persia' two months later. Also, yet another 'Wuthering Heights.'

Industry Buzz: "Arterton is movie star class in the Audrey Hepburn mold. She's smart and sweet and was the only memorable thing in 'Quantum of Solace.' She still does plenty of UK theater, is a model for Avon and has 'Clash of the Titans' next year -- quite an accomplishment for a 23-year-old." -- Jordan Hoffman, UGO.com

Jon Furniss, WireImage

Freida Pinto

Age: 24

Years on List: 2009

What She's Done: Pinto's breakout role in 'Slumdog Millionaire' made the former fashion model a serious actress ... and a household name in the states almost overnight.

What's Next: Woody Allen's new star-studded project (alongside Naomi Watts, Josh Brolin and Sir Anthony Hopkins); and playing the title character in Julian Schnabel's 'Miral.'

Industry Buzz: "Although 'Slumdog' introduced her to Western audiences, she'd been modeling and acting in India for years, and anchored an international travel show. She's also made some really smart choices about her next couple of projects." -- Matt Atchity, RottenTomatoes

Dan Steinberg, AP

Vanessa Hudgens

Age: 20

Years on List: 2009

What She's Done: You might know her from a little franchise called 'High School Musical,' but Hudgens is now taking non-Disney gigs, like summer's surprisingly well-reviewed (but still musical) 'Bandslam.'

What's Next: 'Beastly,' a modern-day live-action retelling of 'Beauty and the Beast,' coming in 2010; and 'Sucker Punch,' Zack Snyder's latest surreal offering, slated for 2011.

Industry Buzz: "Vanessa will have the career Lindsay Lohan thought was hers, and soon, she'll fill the void of the smart, raven-haired rom-com girl to fall in love with." -- Lien Ta, Hollywood.com

Frazer Harrison, Getty Images

Dakota Fanning

Age: 15

Years on List: 2008, 2009

What She's Done: This year Hollywood's youngest veteran actress starred in the thriller 'Push' and voiced the lead in the animated hit 'Coraline,' seamlessly transitioning from child star to adept teen actress.

What's Next: She'll spice up 'Twilight''s second installment 'New Moon' (as an evil Volturi vamp who has it in for K-Stew's Bella), then appear in 2010's coming-of-age music biopic 'The Runaways.'

Industry Buzz: "In all of her performances, there's a genuine commitment and honesty that always comes across. You believe in the people she plays, and you empathize with them ... Beyond her acting talents, she's also blossomed into a respected pop culture icon. Fans of 'Twilight' are more than excited." -- Chuck Walton, Fandango

Lester Cohen, WireImage

Shia LaBeouf

Age: 23

Years on List: 2007, 2008, 2009

What He's Done: From the 'Transformers' franchise to meatier flicks like 'A Guide to Recognizing Your Saints,' LaBeouf has proven that his range extends well past 'Even Stevens.'

What's Next: Currently in the cast of thousands in 'New York, I Love You,' LaBeouf is now shooting the 'Wall Street' sequel, with the adaptation of John Grisham novel 'The Associate' after that.

Industry Buzz: "Lest we forget, before he was playing Indy's son and conquering Transformers, he showed great promise in smaller movies. Like Matt Damon, Shia knows he doesn't have to rely on explosions for his success." -- Lien Ta, Hollywood.com

Kevin Winter, Getty Images