The Situation: "American Gangster" and "3:10 to Yuma" were five years ago, and since then he's starred in Ridley Scott's expensive "Robin Hood" (a box office dud in the U.S. which connected overseas) and a string of too-similar, just-barely profitable and largely forgettable films -- "Body of Lies," "State of Play" and "The Next Three Days." He also starred in the blink-and-you'll-miss-it "Tenderness."

Why there's hope: While Allen Hughes' 'Broken City" looks to be another familiar-looking drama about crime and corruption, Crowe's upcoming appearances in RZA's directorial debut "The Man With the Iron Fists" and as Superman's dad in "Man of Steel" will at the very least help diversify his resume.