Casting about for real men

Chris Hemsworth as Thor in Thor 2.

Image-and social media-obsessed US actors missing out in Hollywood.

Aussies are scoring Hollywood roles because they possess a quality now rare among their US contemporaries - masculinity, says veteran actor Michael Douglas.

The Hollywood heavyweight says too many American actors are obsessed with social media and their careers are suffering as a consequence.

Aussies Chris and Liam Hemsworth, Jai Courtney and Hugh Jackman are hot property in LA and starring in some of the biggest action movies released in recent years.

"There's something going on with young American actors - both men and women - because the Brits and Australians are taking many of the best American roles from them," Douglas told the Independent.

"Clearly, it breaks down on two fronts. In Britain they take their training seriously while in the States we're going through a sort of social media image conscious thing rather than formal training.

"Many actors are getting caught up in this image thing which is going on to affect their range.

"With the Aussies, particularly with the males, it's the masculinity.

"In the US we have this relatively asexual or unisex area with sensitive young men and we don't have many Channing Tatums or Chris Pratts, while the Aussies do. It's a phenomena."

As a result of being hooked on social media, Douglas says too many stars are trying to play the part in society rather than being the part on-screen.

"Everyone's much more image conscious than they are about actually playing the part."

- AAP