In 2003, an unforgettable gathering of cinema royalty graced the cover of Vanity Fair’s special ‘Kings of Hollywood’ edition. Imagine a constellation of stars—not in the sky but arrayed across the shimmering surface of a magazine cover. Who could outshine the radiant glamour of Matt Damon and Tom Hanks when gathered with their companions in this vintage snapshot of 13 iconic Hollywood A-listers?
A Storied Assembly at Culver Studios
Our collective Hollywood dream materialized when thirteen of the most illustrious leading men convened at Culver Studios’ Soundstage 12 in Los Angeles. They were there for a picture shoot under the masterful lens of Annie Leibovitz, a project orchestrated for Vanity Fair’s yearly Hollywood issue, which boasted 41 pages of opulent celebrity portraits.
Among the luminaries were Brad Pitt, Tom Hanks, Jack Nicholson, Edward Norton, Harrison Ford, Samuel L. Jackson, and Tom Cruise. The preparation by VF editor Krista Smith was nothing short of a logistical ballet, involving weeks of coordination and persuasion to bring these titans of film together in one room.
The Scene Behind the Scenes
It was reportedly midday when the celebrities began to arrive. The atmosphere was electric, charged with the kind of star power that can light up the Hollywood Hills. Anecdotes from the day recount how Tom Cruise, ever the entertainer, kept spirits high by performing handstands, while Nicholson worked the room, charming his peers into attending a premiere the following day.
Krista Smith recalled the moment she knew they had captured something extraordinary, saying, “We got the big guns this year.”
Indeed, the final photo, a composition perfected by Leibovitz with stand-ins the day before, took only minutes to capture but left an indelible mark on Hollywood’s visual history.
Fans Weigh In on the Missing Stars
Even with such a star-studded lineup, some fans couldn’t help but ponder the absence of other notable actors. Voices from the fan community expressed their longing for names like Will Smith, Johnny Depp, George Clooney, Ben Affleck, Michael Douglas, and Leonardo DiCaprio. One poignant comment from a fan read:
“Denzel Washington, Ben Affleck, George Clooney & Will Smith couldn’t make the shoot? Especially over Ed Norton & Don Cheadle. This was the last era of true A-list actors. I don’t even know who’s considered A-list after comic book films took over Hollywood.”
The debate over who truly deserves to be labeled an A-lister remains vibrant, underscoring the subjective nature of stardom and celebrity status in Hollywood.
Reflecting on Hollywood’s Evolving Constellation
This look back at Vanity Fair’s 2003 ‘Kings of Hollywood’ feature not only stirs nostalgia but also invites us to reflect on the changing dynamics of fame in the entertainment industry. As new stars rise and others fade, the essence of what it means to be an A-lister continues to evolve. Yet, for those captured in this iconic photograph, their legacy is permanently etched in the annals of Hollywood history, forever reminding us of a time when they ruled the silver screen.
