In part 2 of our preview, we’re jumping into the acting races. This year’s class looks to be absolutely loaded with talent, and that bodes well for the Oscars in 2019. A lot of great young talent puts themselves in the position to earn nominations, but its the veterans and established stars that look to run the table. Adam Driver concludes a massive year, with five films releasing in 2019.
The actor has become the Richard Dreyfus of his generation. Driver was reliable in dialogue-driven roles (The Report), he owns a place in one of the biggest franchises in the world (Star Wars) and he’s continued auteur work (Dead Don’t Die & Marriage Story). He’s got a weirdly likable actor despite playing generally unlikable characters. 2019 feels like an obvious time to reward him, and he’s headlining one of the big contenders of the year. The guys going to win an Oscar someday, but can he hold off the legendary actors biting at his heels? Let’s jump into the predictions.
NOTE: Any awards in Italics means the performer WON the prize from said group.
Best Actress in a Leading Role
Predicted Five
Cynthia Erivo — Harriet
Scarlett Johannson — Marriage Story (Altman Award/Indie Spirit)
Saorise Ronan — Little Women
Charlize Theron — Bombshell* PREDICTED WINNER
Renée Zellweger — Judy (Indie, BIFA, AFCC, NBR)
The Next Five
Awkwafina — The Farewell (Gotham)
Elisabeth Moss — Her Smell (Gotham, Indie Spirit)
Lupita Nyong’o — Us (NYFCC)
Mary Kay Place — Diane (Gotham, Indie Spirit)
Alfre Woodard — Clemency (Gotham, Indie Spirit)
Best Actor in a Leading Role
Predicted Five
Antonio Banderas — Pain and Glory (NYFCC)
Robert De Niro — The Irishman
Leonardo DiCaprio — Once Upon a Time in Hollywood
Adam Driver — Marriage Story (Altman Award/Indie Spirit, Gotham, AFCC)* PREDICTED WINNER
Joaquin Phoenix — Joker
The Next Five
Christian Bale — Ford v Ferrari
Taron Egerton — Rocketman
Eddie Murphy — Dolemite is My Name
Jonathan Pryce — The Two Popes
Adam Sandler — Uncut Gems (Gotham, Indie Spirits, NBR)
Best Actress in a Supporting Role
Predicted Five
Kathy Bates — Richard Jewell
Laura Dern — Marriage Story (Altman Award/Indie Spirit)* PREDICTED WINNER
Jennifer Lopez — Hustlers (Indie Spirit)
Margot Robbie — Bombshell
Zhao Shuzhen — The Farewell (Indie Spirit)
The Next Five
Annette Benning — The Report
Octavia Spencer — Luce (Indie Spirit)
Thomasin Mackenzie — Jojo Rabbit
Margot Robbie — Once Upon a Time in Hollywood
Taylor Russell — Waves (Gotham, Indie Spirit)
Best Actor in a Supporting Role
Predicted Five
Willem Dafoe — The Lighthouse (Gotham, Indie Spirit)
Tom Hanks — A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood
Al Pacino — The Irishman
Joe Pesci — The Irishman
Brad Pitt — Once Upon a Time in Hollywood *PREDICTED WINNER
The Next Five
Alan Alda — Marriage Story (Altman Award/Indie Spirit)
Sterling K. Brown — Waves
Anthony Hopkins — The Two Popes
Song Kang-ho — Parasite
Shia LaBeouf — Honey Boy (Indie Spirit)
