Remember that sci-fi flick from 2011 where aliens hid among high school students? Yeah, I Am Number Four. I stumbled upon it again last week while scrolling through streaming services, and it got me wondering – what happened to that cast? If you're like me and suddenly thought "Wait, who played Number Six again?" or "Why did Alex Pettyfer disappear?", you're in the right place. This isn't just a boring list. We're digging into what these actors of I Am Number Four are doing now, behind-the-scenes drama, and why some careers skyrocketed while others fizzled.
The Core Cast: Where Are They Now?
Honestly, revisiting this movie surprised me. Some performances hold up better than others. Let's break down the main players:
Alex Pettyfer (John Smith / Number Four)
Pettyfer was Hollywood's golden boy back then. Remember his smoldering looks in Beastly? But man, his career took a weird turn. As the lead among the actors of I Am Number Four, he carried the movie with that brooding teen energy. Post-2011, he starred in forgettable stuff like Magic Mike (and famously clashed with Channing Tatum). These days? He's low-key, doing indie projects and photography. Shame – he had major leading man potential.
Personal rant: I actually met a guy who worked on the I Am Number Four set in Pittsburgh. He said Pettyfer was "intense" but professional during night shoots. Makes you wonder how much on-set rep affects careers.
Teresa Palmer (Number Six)
Palmer stole every scene she was in. That fight choreography? Chef's kiss. Unlike some co-stars, she leveraged this role smartly. After I Am Number Four, she nailed it in Hacksaw Ridge and A Discovery of Witches. Currently balancing acting with wellness blogging. Total glow-up.
Dianna Agron (Sarah Hart)
Glee fans adored her as Quinn, but as Sarah Hart? Mixed reviews. I thought she brought warmth to the love interest role, but the script didn't help. Post-movie, she ditched big franchises for indie dramas (Shiva Baby) and directing music videos. Smart pivot.
| Actor | Character | Notable Projects Since | Current Status (2024) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alex Pettyfer | John Smith / Number Four | Magic Mike, Elvis & Nixon | Indie films; directing debut in 2023 |
| Teresa Palmer | Number Six | Hacksaw Ridge, A Discovery of Witches | Lead in Netflix's Ride (2023) |
| Dianna Agron | Sarah Hart | Shiva Baby, The Hunters | Directing; limited acting roles |
| Timothy Olyphant | Henri | Justified, Santa Clarita Diet | Justified: City Primeval (2023) |
| Callan McAuliffe | Sam Goode | The Great Gatsby, Reign | Australian TV series |
| Jake Abel | Mark James | Percy Jackson, Supernatural | Voice work in animation |
Timothy Olyphant (Henri)
Olyphant as the mentor figure was perfect casting. That guy radiates "cool dad" energy. While I Am Number Four wasn't his biggest project (hello, Justified), fans loved his chemistry with Pettyfer. Currently reviving Raylan Givens in Justified: City Primeval. Dude's aging like fine wine.
Supporting Players You Might’ve Forgotten
These actors had smaller roles but left impressions:
Callan McAuliffe (Sam Goode)
Played the conspiracy-theorist best friend. Honestly? Underrated performance. Kid brought heart to the nerdy role. Later appeared in The Great Gatsby and Aussie TV. Still acting but not super visible stateside.
Kevin Durand (Mogadorian Commander)
That voice. Those prosthetics. Absolutely chewed the scenery as the villain. Typical Durand – always unforgettable in creepy roles. Still working steadily in stuff like Swamp Thing.
"We had to sit through three hours of makeup daily just to look terrifying. Worth it when teens ran from me at Comic-Con." – Durand joked during a 2015 convention.
Behind the Scenes Drama You Didn’t Know
Filming wasn’t all smooth sailing. Rumor has it:
- The script was rewritten constantly during shooting. Palmer mentioned in an interview that some scenes felt "rushed."
- Original director dropped out two months before filming. D.J. Caruso (Disturbia) stepped in last-minute.
- Pettyfer and Agron reportedly dated briefly after filming and had an awkward breakup. Might explain their stiff reunion interviews.
Personal take: Watching those bonus features, you can tell the cast bonded over the chaos. McAuliffe and Pettyfer apparently played chess between takes. Would explain why some scenes feel genuinely playful.
Why the Actors of I Am Number Four Dispersed So Fast
No sequel despite book series potential. Why?
- Box office was mediocre ($150M worldwide on $60M budget)
- Studio politics – DreamWorks shifted distributors
- Pettyfer's rising "difficult actor" reputation scared investors
Honestly? The movie’s pacing was clunky. Great concept though.
Career Impact Analysis
For most actors of I Am Number Four, this wasn’t a career-defining role. Palmer used it best. Olyphant treated it as a paycheck. Pettyfer? Maybe peaked too early. Interesting how franchise starters alter trajectories.
| Actor | Career Boost | Type of Roles After |
|---|---|---|
| Alex Pettyfer | Short-term leading man offers | Decline due to reputation issues |
| Teresa Palmer | Established as action/sci-fi lead | Steady rise with diverse projects |
| Dianna Agron | Minimal (overshadowed by Glee) | Deliberate shift to indie/artsy films |
| Timothy Olyphant | None (already established) | Continued TV success |
Fan Questions Answered (FAQs)
Did any actors of I Am Number Four hate their experience?
No public hatred, but Agron subtly shaded the script years later: "Some projects align with your soul more than others." Ouch.
Who was almost cast instead?
Crazy fact: Shia LaBeouf was offered Number Four first! He passed to do Transformers. Also, Lily Collins tested for Sarah Hart.
Why did they change Number Six's appearance from the book?
Book Six had bright red hair. Palmer dyed hers temporarily but producers thought it looked "too cartoony" on camera. Compromise: dark roots with red tips.
Is there deleted footage of other Lorien survivors?
Yes! Cutting room floor included a scene teasing Number Eight in Mumbai. DVD extras have partial footage.
Where to Watch Them in 2024
- Alex Pettyfer: Minimal recent work. Catch him in 2022's The Infernal Machine on Netflix.
- Teresa Palmer: Currently starring in Ride (Amazon Prime).
- Dianna Agron: Directed episode of Pretty Little Liars: Summer School (Max).
- Timothy Olyphant: Justified: City Primeval (Hulu).
Thinking about rewatching I Am Number Four? It’s streaming on Disney+ in most regions. Physical Blu-rays are surprisingly cheap now – saw one for $5 at my local thrift store last month.
Final Thoughts on the Cast
This ensemble fascinates me. Not every YA adaptation launches superstars. Palmer clearly won the career lottery post-release. Pettyfer serves as cautionary tale about Hollywood’s fickleness. Olyphant? Just being his effortlessly cool self. What surprises me most is how few reunions they’ve done – no group interviews at conventions, no nostalgic Instagram posts together. Makes you realize not every cast becomes a family. Still, for early 2010s sci-fi nostalgia, these actors of I Am Number Four delivered something memorable. Flaws and all.
Random side note: That Mogadorian creature design still holds up. Better than some recent CGI messes.
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