BY ACTOR: B

A intense actor, a favourite of Christopher Nolan's, who began his career as the star of Steven Spielberg's 'Empire of the Sun' (1987) and is renowned for his physical and psychological immersion into characters. Critically acclaimed, he is also a bankable star.

Argentine actress Bérénice Bejo made her American film acting debut in ‘A Knights Tale’ (2001), however she has predominantly remained in foreign language roles for her career since. Bejo’s fame rose in 2011 when she starred in the Best Picture winning film ‘The Artist’ (2011), and her acting skills were rewarded at the 2013 Cannes film festival for her performance in ‘The Past’ (2013). She has most recently starred in ‘The Search’ (2014) and ‘The Last Diamond’ (2015).

Hailing from a family of dancers, Jamie Bell was born in Billingham, England in 1986. He won the BAFTA for Best Actor for his debut role in ‘Billy Elliot’ (2000), which mirrored his own life experiences. This paved the way for a successful acting career, with roles in ‘King Kong’ (2005), ‘The Adventures of Tintin’ (2011), and ‘Nymphomaniac: Vol. I & II’ (2014).

Breaking into the big time with a stunning performance in 'The Grifters', Annette Benning excels at strong female roles - from Kevin Spacey's unfulfilled wife in 'American Beauty' (1999) to a homesteader in Kevin Costner's western 'Open Range' (2003).

Born in 1964 in Paris, Juliette Binoche was only 23 when she first attracted the attention of international film critics with Philip Kaufman's 'The Unbearable Lightness of Being' (1988). Her filmography ranges from independent hits to high-budget productions, including roles in Kieslowski's masterpiece 'Three Colours: Blue', and an Oscar winning performance in Anthony Minghella's 'The English Patient' (1996).

Born in Lincolnshire, UK in 1949, Jim Broadbent is increasingly renowned as the finest British character actor of his generation. His roots in experimental theatre contributed to his massive range, including a pitch-perfect reincarnation of real-life historical figures, a grotesque caricature for Terry Gilliam.

He started young, playing the brash older brother to one of the adventurous kids in 'The Goonies' (1985). The next two decades saw him take backseat roles and he built a successful career as a stock trader. Then three roles in 2007 changed his fortunes. He was a demented doctor in Robert Rodriguez’s segment of 'Grindhouse' ('Planet Terror'), a supporting character in Paul Haggis’ 'In the Valley of Elah' and superb in the Coen’s 'No Country for Old Men'. That latter role found him at ease with his age and physicality. He is an impressive President Bush in Oliver Stone’s 'W.' and a troubled Dan White in Gus Van Sant’s 'Milk' (both 2008), wasted in 'Jonah Hex' (2010), smartly cast by the Coens again in their version of 'True Grit' (2010) and a strong presence in the otherwise poor 'Labor Day' (2013). His imposing physicality is a major factor in convincing us of character Matt Graver in 'Sicario' and Beck Weathers in 'Everest' (both 2015), but it is also used to great comic effect in 'Inherent Vice' (2014) and another collaboration with the Coens' 'Hail Caesar!' (2016). And he is likely to be one of the more memorable villains in 'Marvel Lore', having already played Thanos in cameo roles in 'Guardians of the Galaxy' (2014) and 'Avengers: Age of Ultron' (2015), and taking centre stage in 'Avengers: Infinity War' (2018).

Born in 1957, Steve Buscemi worked as a New York firefighter before his breakout film role in Quentin Tarantino's 'Reservoir Dogs' (1992) as the criminal Mr. Pink. With his thin, weedy frame and bulging eyes, he often plays sleazy or mentally unstable characters, and thus became a favourite choice for many directors such as the Coen brothers and Jim Jarmusch. Buscemi's directorial debut was in 1996 with 'Trees Lounge'.