The Oscars season is heating up with a mix of veteran filmmakers and fresh faces vying for the prestigious awards. Renowned directors like Steven Spielberg, Martin Scorsese, Quentin Tarantino, and Paul Thomas Anderson continue to dominate the conversation, as they often return to the nominee lists year after year. The best actress category showcases a compelling comeback narrative, with several contenders resurfacing after long absences from the awards scene. Marianne Jean-Baptiste stands out with an outside shot at a nomination for her role in Mike Leigh’s *Hard Truths*, nearly thirty years after her first nod for *Secrets & Lies*.
Demi Moore emerges as a frontrunner in the best actress category for her transformative role in The Substance, where she plays a woman who swaps her body for a younger, more beautiful version of herself. Meanwhile, Ariana Grande is almost guaranteed a nomination for her standout performance as Glinda, the Good Witch of the North, in Wicked. On the male side, Timothée Chalamet's portrayal of Bob Dylan in A Complete Unknown positions him as a strong contender. Colman Domingo also has a significant chance for his role as a prison inmate participating in an arts program in Sing Sing.
In the best supporting actor category, Kieran Culkin leads the pack with his role as the sardonic Roman Roy in HBO's Succession. This year’s awards race is notable for featuring two musicals and two massive pop stars, along with two Sebastian Stan films and two actors from Succession. Comeback queens also highlight the competition, adding to the intrigue of the Oscar nominations.
The preferential ballot system could play a crucial role this year, potentially favoring films like Conclave and Anora, which are broadly appreciated and less polarizing than some other contenders. With six films in serious contention for the top prize, much depends on how dynamics evolve over the coming weeks.
Selena Gomez may earn a nomination for her role in the Spanish-language musical Emilia Pérez, where she portrays the wife of a Mexican drug lord who undergoes a gender transformation. Cynthia Erivo is another hopeful for her portrayal of Elphaba, the Wicked Witch of the West, in Wicked. Additionally, Karla Sofía Gascón stands likely to be recognized for her performance as a Mexican cartel leader who leaves crime behind to live as a trans woman in Emilia Pérez.
Sebastian Stan finds himself in an unusual position with two potential nominations. He could be recognized for his portrayal of a young Donald Trump in The Apprentice, or for his role in the Golden Globe-winning film A Different Man, where he plays an aspiring actor who undergoes dramatic changes in appearance.
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