Best Supporting Actor
Current predictions:
- Eddie Murphy (Dreamgirls)
- Alan Arkin (Little Miss Sunshine)
- Jackie Earle Haley (Little Children)
- Djimon Honsou (Blood Diamond)
- Brad Pitt (Babel)
- Mark Wahlberg (The Departed)
No real surprise here. Wahlberg pulls ahead of Nicholson from Departed(deservingly so) but also ahead of Pitt and the rest. Probably this was the closest call of all major categories
This is a race that is open pretty much all the way with about 10 people arguably in the run. Jack Nicholson can sneak ahead of Brad Pitt, but also Michael Sheen or James McAvoy could replace any of the listed five.
Eddie Murphy (Dreamgirls)
He is loved and this is a role that Academy voters can label as real acting according to their "standards". He will get it.
Alan Arkin (Little Miss Sunshine)
The movie is the small sensation of the year, and Arkin's performance is noted by every precursor. An almost certain nomination.
Jackie Earle Haley (Little Children)
Arguably he had the best performance in a small movie that is well received. However, the role is pretty creepy and the competition is tough. Anything is possible.
Djimon Honsou (Blood Diamond)
A decent albeit single-note performance in a movie that could be easily overlooked at the Oscars. However, he got the SAG nod and won the NBR which make him all of a sudden a serious contender.
Brad Pitt (Babel)
Pitt has a solid performance and the movie seems to have plenty support. Can it upset the possible Departed nominations?
Jack Nicholson (The Departed)
The Departed could be the movie to beat this year. If that's going to be the trend we may see not just one, but even two supporting nominations here. Jack has the first shot.
Michael Sheen (The Queen)
Uncertain if he can actually make it. He would deserve a nomination, but so do four others in this category and Sheen may be viewed as riding the coattails of Helen Mirren or... he may actually do it without anyone noticing :).
Mark Wahlberg (The Departed)
Following on the note on Departed above, Wahlberg could pick a nomination himself. Unlikely though to upset Jack.
James Mc.Avoy (The Last King of Scotland)
His performance is easily overlooked in comparison to Whitaker's, yet he stands his own and could be nominated if the voters really love Last King of Scotland.
Ben Affleck (Hollywoodland)
He's not completely out of the picture, but I guess a nomination at this point could be labeled as a surprise.