Freeman is the obvious frontrunner in this race but who could challenge him? Looking through all the possible contenders, I actually have trouble seeing a serious competitor, as long as Freeman delivers the goods. DDL has won twice; Matt Damon is competing against himself; DiCaprio, Clooney, Mortenson? Not sure if Crazy Heart will be moved to this year for Jeff Bridges. Christopher Plummer has never been nominated, so a nomination could be considered suffice.

This race is wide open this year for nominations. I too would place Freeman as the frontrunner.

Sam Worthington - Avatar

dont start spamming

DiCaprio will most likely be nominated as long as Shutter itself is not terrible.

Adam friggin Sandler

he looks serious

Christoph Waltz- Inglourious Basterds
Daniel Day Lewis- Nine.


I doubt the academy will be reading out Inglorious Basterds though. lol

How sexist is this forum?

I love how the actress thread is stickied... but not this...

I SEE HOW IT IS.

Waltz is supporting, KK.

DDL will definitely score another nom. Win #3?

Matt Damon
Daniel Day-Lewis
Leonardo DiCaprio
Morgan Freeman
Viggo Mortensen?

No way does DDL win for a musical. Even if he doesn't sound like Count Dracula when he sings (as is rumored,) I have a really hard time seeing him top Daniel Plainview. How often have actors won for back-to-back roles?

For back-to-back years, we have Spencer Tracy and Tom Hanks for Actor, Luise Rainer and Katharine Hepburn for Actress, and Jason Robards for Supporting Actor. Not sure about any additional ones for back-to-back roles.

Yeah, I agree there is no way DDL will win his 3rd, even if it wasn't for consecutive performances. The 3rd is very hard to get (a reason I also don't see Swank has a shot), especially when all are for lead.

I can see Morgan winning Lead Actor, with Monique taking Supporting Actress. That would be pretty cool.

Is there any advance buzz on his performance as Nelson Mandela? Or are we just sorta assuming that the role is baity enough to make him a lock?

The thing about Eastwood films is that they rarely, if ever, have buzz. They arrive in secret.

Everyone is just assuming Morgan is going to be great in a very high profile role.

Clint does have the pity vote on his side after Gran Torino was shut out. Then again, some people may not have forgotten about Freeman's embarrassing car crash with his mistress.

He'll have to really step it up beyond his usual performance. Maybe he will, maybe he won't. But if he's currently the front runner, it's only because no one else has yet to emerge.

Jeremy Renner would be an awesome nomination, but he'll need to make a splash in critics circles too. Seems rather unlikely.

I'm starting my Copley campaign now.

He's really funny in person and looks nothing like the character

Clooney's role in Up in the Air sounds great. He's a strong contender, IMO.

And I'm fairly confident Michael Stuhlbarg will score a nod for A Serious Man, though he may be too low-profile to win.

Post TIFF predictions:

1. George Clooney, Up in the Air (the only lock so far)
2. Morgan Freeman, Invictus
3. Colin Firth, A Single Man
4. Clive Owen, The Boys are Back
5. Viggo Mortensen, The Road

You don't think Morgan Freeman is a lock?

I'd call Colin Firth a lock for a nom.

Without anybody having seen the final product, definitely not yet.