Cannonball with Wesley Morris Robert Redford Was a True Movie Star. Are There Any Left?
Oct 9, 2025
Bill Simmons, founder of The Ringer, joins Wesley Morris to delve into the legacy of Robert Redford, exploring how he defined movie stardom. They discuss Redford's iconic roles in films like Butch Cassidy and The Natural, examining his blend of charm and heroism. The duo debates the current state of movie stars, pondering if anyone today can match Redford's impact. They also analyze rising talents like Michael B. Jordan and Timothée Chalamet, while reflecting on what Hollywood must do to revive star power.
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Redford As The Archetypal Star
- Robert Redford exemplified a kind of trustable, widely loved movie star who felt like
Sundance Defined His Charisma
- Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid vaulted Redford into superstar status with undeniable charisma and chemistry with Paul Newman.
- The film created a template for buddy-movie charisma that many Hollywood pictures still copy.
Quiet Restraint As Moral Authority
- In All the President's Men Redford sells restraint: his quieter performance makes you trust his moral compass.
- That subdued quality turns him into a believable hero in investigative dramas.