Who is the A-Rod of Hollywood? Will Smith

After watching Alex Rodriguez re-sign with the Yankees as a free agent, I began to wonder who would be the top free agents in the film world.

If studios could simply pay the highest sum to sign a team of actors and actresses who would be under contract for years to come, who would be first people selected?

Rankings are based on past films, future projects, box-office worth and Oscar prestige.

ACTORS

1.   Will Smith: The man who can do no wrong. With “I Am Legend” getting mixed reviews so far, it’ll be interesting to see if his popularity can overcome any negative press. Chances are people will still come in droves. Going back to “Independence Day,” which earned a staggering $306 million, everything Smith touches turns to gold. And in a business where there’s no such thing as a sure thing, he’s as good as it gets.

Slideshow   Will Ferrell’s wonderful world Will Ferrell's crazy characters rule small screens and large, from 'Saturday Night Live' to 'Land of the Lost.' more photos

2. Will Ferrell: Though a few years ago it seemed there was a concern of overexposure, there’s little doubt that Ferrell has plenty of upside left. His humor works with all ages — from third-graders to grandparents — and the fact that he writes much of his own material, as well as acts, makes him even more valuable. It would be nice, however, if he stepped away from sports-themed movies and branched out a bit. His turn in “Stranger Than Fiction” was wildly underrated.

3. Denzel Washington: Although Washington stays firmly afoot in high-octane dramas and hasn’t had a sniff of a comedy (though he says he’s not against one if the project is right), he knows what works best for him and is comfortable staying there. A two-time Oscar winner who can still draw a huge audience, Washington should remain a huge asset for years to come.

Slide show   Clooney's world From "Facts of Life" to "Michael Clayton," the making of a major star. more photos

4. George Clooney: Besides the tentpole “Ocean’s” series, Clooney’s never been one to drive box office, but who doesn’t want a guy as smart as Clooney on their side. With fare such as “Michael Clayton,” “Syriana” and “Good Night, and Good Luck,” he’s one of those guys that’ll be in the awards race every year. And for the right price, he’s more than happy to deliver more mainstream, less highbrow fare such as “The Perfect Storm” or “Intolerable Cruelty.”

5. Seth Rogan: If he was thought of as slovenly B-list actor before this year, 2007 changed everything. His association with comedy king Judd Apatow has given him universal appeal, and the $270 million in combined returns for “Knocked Up” and Superbad” make him the Adam Sandler for a new generation.

6. Adam Sandler: Speaking of which … maybe he’s not the sure bet he was a decade ago, when he was a studio’s personal ATM machine, but even his more recently panned movies — “Click” and “I Now Pronounce You Chuck and Larry” — earned north of $100 million. As long as he stays in comedy, he’s a solid investment.

7. Matt Damon: Few can be both a leading man and action hero, yet Damon has proved he has the full package: brains, looks and muscle. The “Bourne” series has made him box-office gold in the action genre ($227 for “Ultimatum”), and taut dramas such as the Oscar-winning “The Departed” ($132 million) makes him viable in those heady ensembles as well.

8. Leonardo DiCaprio: Like others on this list, DiCaprio’s a guy who can deliver both gold statues and coin. By choosing his films very carefully and working with top-notch directors, such as Steven Spielberg and Martin Scorsese, DiCaprio has proven that he’s in for the long haul, not an easy paycheck. He could’ve easily gone that route after “Titanic,” but clearly sees the logic in choosing projects that keep him on audiences must-see list every time.

Slideshow   Ben Stiller Following his parents’ footsteps into acting, Stiller has amassed an impressive number of Hollywood comedies. more photos

9. Ben Stiller: Though his most recent, “The Heartbreak Kid,” was a clunker, Stiller has an incredible track record. Who ever thought “Night at the Museum” would earn $250 million? His performances as the nebbishy guy can feel redundant, but he’s doing something right. He’ll probably never be taken seriously in dramas, but unless it’s a franchise movie, comedies often have a better chance of big paydays anyway.

10. The Rock: It would be easy to dismiss The Rock (aka Dwayne Johnson) as nothing more than an ex-wrestler trying to make his mark in movies, but he’s certainly hit a chord with audiences. Smartly staying in a genre of films that appeal to his fan base, The Rock’s $88 million take for “The Game Plan” and upcoming role in “Get Smart” has the studios taking notice.

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