Actor in a Leading Role

The 96th Academy Awards may finally see an actor get their much deserved recognition from Academy, after previously being overlooked. The two early frontrunners are Cillian Murphy for his critically acclaimed role in Oppenheimer, and Bradley Cooper in the yet to be seen Maestro. Cooper was considered overlooked when he did not win for A Star is Born back in 2019, and he was completely snubbed of a Director nomination. Cillian Murphy has appeared in many Christopher Nolan movies but this is his first leading role and he will be hoping for his first career nomination.

The two frontrunners have competition from industry veterans; Leonardo DiCaprio and Paul Giamatti. Giamatti himself was egregiously snubbed back in 2005 for Sideways, and he has reunited with director Alexander Payne for The Holdovers.

After previous years of “Oscars Too White” trending on social media, hopefully we can see more diversity amongst the nominees this year. Colman Domingo is an early contender for the biographical drama Rustin, and Teo Yoo received rave reviews for the critically acclaimed Past Lives – if he is not campaigned in Supporting Actor.

Here are my predictions as of 21st July 2023:

Strong Contenders

1. Bradley Cooper (Maestro)
2. Cillian Murphy (Oppneheimer)
3. Colman Domingo (Rustin)
4. Leonardo DiCaprio (Killers of the Flower Moon)
5. Paul Giamatti (The Holdovers)

Possible Contenders

1. Teo Yoo (Past Lives)
2. Kingsley Ben-Adir (Bob Marley: One Love)
3. Joaquin Phoenix (Napoleon)
4. Barry Keoghan (Saltburn)
5. Matt Damon (Air)

Outsiders

1. Anthony Hopkins (Freud’s Last Session)
2. Koji Yakusho (Perfect Days)
3. John David Washington (The Piano Lesson)
4. Michael Fassbender (The Killer)
5. David Strathairn (A Little Prayer)