“ Tom Hardy

No, it wasn't a dream -- Hardy, the breakout star of last year's Inception, continued to dazzle audiences into 2011 in two highly disparate films: the sober, gray-soaked adaptation of John Le Carre's Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy, and the bloody, sweaty, muscular mixed-martial arts drama Warrior. But the role that got Hardy the most headlines this year was that of the evil Bane, the nemesis to Christian Bale's Batman in next year's The Dark Knight Rises. ”

“ Emily Browning

The Australian-born actress had done her due diligence in TV series, horror films, and even a family flick before landing the high-profile role of Baby Doll in the Zack Snyder comic-fantasy-sci-fi-action-everything-but-the-kitchen-sink epic Sucker Punch. The movie was less than well-received, but Browning found a definite fan base, and a mesmerizing turn in the sensuous (or is it?) drama Sleeping Beauty followed. ”

“ Michael Fassbender

The German-Irish actor stole scenes in Quentin Tarantino's Inglourious Basterds[/i], and wowed audiences and critics alike in four films released in 2011: Jane Eyre, as the mysterious and dashing Rochester; X-Men: First Class, playing the young Magneto; A Dangerous Mind, where he played Carl Jung; and the sex addiction drama Shame, which raised eyebrows with its NC-17 rating and may bring him into the Oscar race. ”

“ Rosie Huntington-Whiteley

The beautiful British model, known to millions as one of the faces (and bodies) of Victoria's Secret, has only one acting credit to her name, but it's a big one: Transformers: Dark of the Moon. After actress Megan Fox and director Michael Bay had a public falling-out, Huntington-Whitely was enlisted for the female lead in the effects-laden sequel, though her natural beauty won out over numerous computer-generated robots. ”

“ Henry Cavill

The strapping British actor, known on American shores mainly for his role in the Showtime cable series "The Tudors", became an instant fanboy (and fangirl) favorite this year with his role as Theseus in the 300-style action flick Immortals[/i]. But it was his surprise casting as Superman in the upcoming Man of Steel that won him an already-devoted following and tons of advance coverage during filming. ”

“ Dianna Agron

The "Glee"-ful actress, known to fans as cheerleader Quinn Fabray on the hit Fox show, made the jump to movies this year in the action thriller I Am Number Four, and also appeared in the for-the-fans flick Glee: The 3D Concert Movie. She also became one of the most popular red carpet faces as both TV and film award show alike -- working on both the big and small screen can have its definite advantages! ”

“ Alex Pettyfer

Pegged as the next-big-thing, Pettyfer turned his good looks inside out for the Beauty and the Beast update Beastly opposite Vanessa Hudgens, ran from intergalactic bounty hunters in I Am Number Four, and found time to appear in the sci-fi thriller In Time. Next year, he's one of many hunks who'll take it off for Steven Soderbergh's male-stripper flick Magic Mike. ”

“ Jason Momoa

Even before this year, Momoa was a hard-working man, having appeared in the TV series "Baywatch", "North Shore", "Stargate: Atlantis" and "The Game" before coming into 2011 with a serious one-two punch, as the titular hero of the new Conan the Barbarian, and as part of the ensemble of the hit HBO fantasy action series "Game of Thrones." ”

“ Saoirse Ronan

At the age of 13, the Irish-born Ronan garnered an Oscar nomination for 2004's Atonement, a heady milestone in a career that's only begun its trajectory. After high profile roles in dramas The Lovely Bones and The Way Back, she took on the surprising mantle of action heroine with the kinetic drama Hanna[/i]. More action will follow: Neil Jordan's vampire thriller Byzantium, and the lead in the high-profile adaptation of Stephenie Meyer's The Host, coming in 2013. ”