After discussing the potential Best Picture nominees for 2015, now we're previewing the potential Best Actor nominees. The predictions may be very early, but even three months into 2014, there are already films with Oscar potential.
At the moment there are number of A-list actors who could make the short list in January. Among them is Steve Carell for his transformative performance in "Foxcatcher." The film was expected to be released in 2013, but Sony Classics delayed it due to the overcrowded slate. The Academy is a fan of films based on real people and this film could lead Carell to his first nomination.
Benedict Cumberbatch is also playing a real life character. Cumberbatch was expected to be a contender last year as he appeared in five films, with big roles in two: "The Fifth Estate" and "August: Osage County." However, Cumberbatch failed to score a nomination. This year the actor will play Alan Turing in "The Imitation Game." The character is a juicy role and with the Weinstein Company distributing the movie, Cumberbatch could compete at the Academy Awards this year.
Ralph Fiennes has not been in the Oscar conversation for a number of years. He was last nominated for "The English Patient" and came close in 2008 for his role in "The Duchess." His performance in "The Grand Budapest Hotel" is already getting buzz and the movie has already opened to historic box office numbers. Also, Fox Searchlight is coming off an Oscar win and that certainly helps Fiennes' chances.
Another big contender could be Oscar Isaac. The actor had a breakout role in "Inside Llewyn Davis," which earned him a Golden Globe nomination. This year he will be starring in J.C Chandor's "A Most Violent Year." With A24 releasing the film in the fall, and the movie getting a lot of buzz, it is likely Isaac could get noticed throughout awards season.
Joaquin Phoenix has turned in three great performances in his last three films, and has received three nominations at the Academy Awards. With Paul Thomas Anderson directing him in his latest film, "Inherent Vice," Phoenix is likely to obtain a nomination once again.
Philip Seymour Hoffman could get a posthumous Oscar for his role in "A Most Wanted Man." The film scored great reviews when it premiered at the Sundance Film Festival with a number of critics praising his performance. However, after Roadside Attractions failed to get nominations at the 2014 Oscars, it will be hard for Hoffman to get the posthumous nod.
Oscar winner Matthew McCoanughey could potentially get a nomination for his work in Christopher Nolan's "Interstellar." The film is said to be Nolan's most Oscar-friendly film and with McConaughey resurrecting his career, it is likely the Academy will take him into account.
Two-time nominee Jeremy Renner also has another shot at a nomination for his work in "Kill the Messenger." Focus Features recently won the Best Actor statue, and with the company releasing the film, it is likely the movie will get the same amount of attention.
Other big contenders include Michael Fassbender for his work in "Macbeth," Michael Keaton in "Birdman," Chadwick Boseman for "Get On Up," and Jack O'Connell for "Unbroken." James McAvoy also received rave reviews for his work on "The Disappearance of Eleanor Rigby," which the Weinstein Company will release. Christian Bale could be back in contention for "Exodus," while Brad Pitt could get another Best Actor nomination for "Fury." Meanwhile, Timothy Spall could get a nomination for "Mr. Turner," as could John Lithgow and Alfred Molina for "Love is Strange," which obtained raves at the Sundance Film Festival.