Next years Oscars may not be that much different than this years with their nominees as potential nominees seem more scarce than last years potentials. However, this new award race is still very much up in the air as several categories at this point have no front runners and the race for Best Leading Actor, in particular, is very much wide open.
Here's a list of potential victors already on the academy's radar, and some long shots we'd like the academy to take a look at:
1. Will Smith (Concussion)
The hype is very much there for Will, and outside of ONTD there are people in the industry that are looking at this film and Will's performance. This film has the potential to have a great deal of buzz and controversy given the subject matter, and although there have been screenings, it's still up in the air how well this film was executed as no information from those screenings have leaked.
Given Will's star power, the importance of this subject, and the potential for box office success. This film definitely has Will standing out for a nomination if not victory, similar to that of Sandra Bullock for The Blind Side.
Trailer:
2. Samuel L Jackson (The Hateful 8)
The buzz, the hype and the overdue factor is definitely at play here for SLJ. The question here is whether he's going Lead or Supporting. Honestly I think he has an equal amount a shot of winning going either way. Now if this film bombs and his reviews aren't that great, I could easily see his campaign crashing (a la Fassbender)
Trailer:
3. Abraham Attah (Beast Of No Nation)
He is very much the lead of this film. He's in mostly every shot as it's his perspective, he also narrates the film. He has the buzz and the praise with people who'd very much like to see him nominated. Unfortunately for him, this is uncharted waters with streaming service Netflix... Plus he's very young which in of itself is rare. However, his performance is certainly memorable and important and should stand out on it's own. Hopefully Netflix improves their campaign skills and Attah get's at least a nomination.
Trailer:
4. Michael B Jordan (Creed)
The academy loves a box office smash and this has some potential to be one. The trailer was received well and there are some small rumblings about Stallone. Michael B Jordan has been on the academy's radar with Fruitvale Station, unfortunately it was released way too early in the year to sustain buzz. If Jordan's performance is received well, a November release with potential box office success could definitely get his name thrown in the nominee shortlist. Bonus It couldn't be any worse than Southpaw.
Trailer:
5. & 6. O'Shea Jackson, Jr. And Corey Hawkins (Straight Outta Compton)
Box Office Hit, great reviews and relevant to what's going on in the US. This should be Univeral's top priority as far as campaigning goes. They could probably try and split these two performers up with one in lead and one in supporting but let's not advocate for category fraud.
Trailer:
Who are your suggestions for next years race ONTD?
Source: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5