Joaquin Phoenix: Frank Masi

Joaquin Phoenix

ROLE Merrill Hess, Mel Gibson's kid brother

WHAT'S HOT He's loyal and sensitive but definitely has a healthy dose of kick-ass power as a former minor league baseball player turned brother's keeper. In fact, he's made good use of his charisma in many roles, from a wimpy emperor in ''Gladiator'' to a lovesick murderer in ''To Die For.''

WHAT'S NOT His movies tend to be on the serious downer side. How about a romantic comedy?

WHAT'S NEXT Starring as an engineer with quirky colleagues in Robert Altman's ''Voltage''