Honestly, it’s been over a decade, and I still can't help but feel like the cast in I Am Number Four was a total "lightning in a bottle" situation that somehow didn't strike twice. You’ve got a group of actors who, in 2011, were essentially the "next big things" in Hollywood. Yet, the movie itself—while a fun sci-fi romp—sorta fizzled out before it could become the next Twilight or Hunger Games.
It’s weird.
Looking back at the roster, it’s basically a directory of people who went on to dominate prestige TV and massive blockbusters. We’re talking about Alex Pettyfer, Dianna Agron, and the incredible Timothy Olyphant.
Why didn’t it work?
Maybe it was the timing. Maybe it was the heavy-handed Mogadorian makeup. But if you rewatch it today, the chemistry is actually pretty solid. Let’s break down where the crew is now and why this specific ensemble was way better than the script they were given.
The Core Players: Alex Pettyfer and Dianna Agron
At the center of it all was Alex Pettyfer as John Smith (Number Four). Back then, Pettyfer was being pushed as the definitive leading man. He had that brooding, blonde, "alien-next-door" vibe down to a science. Honestly, he was everywhere for a minute—Beastly, Magic Mike, you name it.
But Pettyfer’s journey after the film was… complicated. He gained a bit of a "difficult" reputation, something he’s been pretty open about in recent years. He eventually pivoted, moving into directing with projects like Back Roads (2018) and taking more interesting, gritty roles in things like The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare (2024). He’s matured a lot. You can see it in his performance—he’s less about the "pretty boy" image now and more about the craft.
Then there’s Dianna Agron.
She was at the height of her Glee fame when she played Sarah Hart. In the film, Sarah is the classic artsy girl with a camera, but Agron gave her a soul that kept the movie grounded. Since then, she hasn't just stuck to the mainstream.
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She’s basically become an indie darling.
If you haven't seen her in Shiva Baby (2020) or As They Made Us (2022), you’re missing out. She’s developed this incredible range that the cast in I Am Number Four only hinted at. She also directed a segment of Berlin, I Love You, proving she’s got a lot more going on than just being the girl Number Four fell for.
Why Timothy Olyphant Was the Secret Weapon
Can we talk about Timothy Olyphant as Henri?
He was essentially the "Space Dad" of the movie.
Olyphant is one of those actors who makes everything better just by showing up. He brought this weary, protective energy to Henri that felt way more "real" than the sci-fi elements around him. This was right around the time he was starting Justified, and you can see that Raylan Givens grit peeking through.
He was the anchor.
Without him, the movie might have felt too much like a CW pilot. Instead, his scenes with Pettyfer gave the film its only real emotional stakes. When Henri died (spoiler for a 15-year-old movie, I guess?), the movie lost its heart. Olyphant, of course, went on to become a god-tier character actor in the Star Wars universe and Daisy Jones & The Six.
The Breakout: Teresa Palmer as Number Six
If anyone actually "won" this movie, it was Teresa Palmer.
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She didn't even show up until halfway through, but when she did? Man. She was riding a Ducati, blowing stuff up, and sporting a leather jacket that inspired a thousand Pinterest boards. Her portrayal of Number Six was a total breath of fresh air compared to the slower, more romantic pace of the first half.
Palmer’s career since has been a masterclass in variety.
- She led the massive fantasy hit A Discovery of Witches.
- She starred in Hacksaw Ridge.
- She even popped up in the 2024 hit The Fall Guy.
She has this raw, athletic energy that made the cast in I Am Number Four feel like they could actually take on an alien invasion.
The Supporting Cast: Faces You Definitely Recognize
It’s hilarious to look at the smaller roles now.
Callan McAuliffe, who played the nerdy best friend Sam, eventually grew up and became a staple on The Walking Dead as Alden. He was just a kid in this! And then you have Jake Abel as the bully Mark James. Abel is basically the king of "Young Adult" adaptations, having starred in Percy Jackson and The Host. He’s still working constantly, recently appearing in Walker with Jared Padalecki.
And we can't forget the villain.
Kevin Durand played the Mogadorian Commander. You might not recognize him under all that prosthetics and those weird gill-slits, but Durand is a legendary "big guy" actor. He’s been in Lost, The Strain, and most recently, he was the primary antagonist in Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes (2024). He’s a terrifying presence, and he clearly had a blast chewing the scenery in this movie.
What Most People Get Wrong About a Sequel
People always ask: "Where is I Am Number Five?"
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The truth is, it’s never happening. At least, not with this cast.
The movie was intended to kick off a franchise based on the Lorien Legacies books by Pittacus Lore (a pen name for James Frey and Jobie Hughes). But the box office was just "okay," and the critics weren't exactly kind.
The real reason a sequel died?
The cast in I Am Number Four became too successful and too expensive. By the time a second script would have been ready, Dianna Agron was a superstar, Olyphant was a TV icon, and the momentum had shifted. Plus, the movie made some weird changes to the book lore—like making the Loric turn to ash when they die—that fans hated.
The Actionable Legacy of the Cast
If you’re a fan of the film, don't wait for a reboot. Instead, follow the actors into their better work.
- For the Sci-Fi Fix: Watch Teresa Palmer in A Discovery of Witches. It fulfills that "hidden supernatural world" itch much better.
- For the Acting: Check out Dianna Agron in Shiva Baby. It’s a totally different vibe, but it shows her true talent.
- For the Action: Catch Timothy Olyphant in The Mandalorian or Justified: City Primeval.
The cast in I Am Number Four might have moved on from Paradise, Ohio, but their careers are proof that the talent was always there—even if the franchise wasn't. They took a mid-tier YA adaptation and made it a "cult classic" purely through charisma. If you’re bored on a Friday night, it’s still worth a rewatch just to see these stars before they were "Stars."
To dive deeper into the world of Lorien, you should check out the original book series by Pittacus Lore. There are seven main books and several novellas that actually finish the story the movie started. While a film sequel is off the table, the literary world offers the full closure on John, Six, and the rest of the Garde that the big screen never could.