USA TODAY International Edition
Who could get surprise Oscar nominations?
Every year, Oscar voters throw out a curveball or two in the nominations. Last year, the honor went to Mark Rylance, who shocked Oscarologists by picking up a best- supporting- actor nomination for Bridge of Spies — and then won the statue without campai
‘ HIDDEN FIGURES’
Most analysts agree there are four sure bets in the picture race: La La Land, Manchester by the Sea, Moonlight and Arrival. But Hidden Figures could be in after winning the box office. “Hidden Figures is the one movie that is most on the bubble right now,” says Dave Karger, special correspondent for the movie website IMDb. com. Many consider Octavia Spencer a lock for a supporting- actress nomination, but could Taraji P. Henson break into best actress? Due to the film’s success ( and her character’s impassioned speech inside NASA’s all- white walls), “she could go along for the ride,” says Tom O’Neil, founder of awards prediction site GoldDerby.com.
ISABELLE HUPPERT
The acclaimed French actress turned many a critic’s head in Elle, and insiders say she could end up with a best- actress nomination. “She pulls off an upset against Natalie Portman at the Globes and she’s a serious threat at the Oscars, even to win,” says O’Neil.
MERYL STREEP
It’s no secret that Oscar voters love Streep, but her leading performance in Florence Foster Jenkins seemed to have slipped off the actress short list — until she criticized Donald Trump in the Globes speech heard ’ round the world. “Suddenly, she is a force here,” says O’Neil. And since Streep’s televised moment happened while Oscar ballots were out, that could change everything. “Hollywood could not only rally behind her for the nomination, they could rally behind her for the win,” he says.
AARON TAYLOR- JOHNSON
The British actor plays a Texas psychopath in Nocturnal Animals, and since his surprise Golden Globe win for supporting actor, the heat is on. “Aaron Taylor- Johnson is definitely coming on strong right now,” says Karger. “The win at the Golden Globes, plus the BAFTA nomination, really mean that he’s the guy from that movie with the best shot at a nomination, not Michael Shannon, like everybody initially thought.”
‘ DEADPOOL’
Ryan Reynolds has launched an impressive lategame Oscar campaign, and his budget superhero flick recently earned a spot on the Producers Guild of America’s list of the year’s best films. But Karger cautions to remember what happened with big- budget spectacles such as Star Wars: The
Force Awakens and the Harry Potter franchise, both of which failed to nab best- picture nods. “There is a history of blockbusters making it into the Producers Guild top 10 but not getting an Oscar nomination,” says Karger.
MEL GIBSON
Talk about “a literal wild card,” says O’Neil. Hacksaw Ridge is “full of patriotic spirit and religious passion. ... That’s usually a formula for Oscar bait.” But is Hollywood ready to forgive the star’s troubled past by nominating him for best director? “That’s what the Oscars are all about, bestowing hugs, who we love, who we don’t,” says O’Neil.
HUGH GRANT
Will Streep’s screen husband in
Florence make the cut? He’s “vulnerable,” says O’Neil, noting Ani
mals’ Michael Shannon, Figures’ Kevin Costner or Hell or High
Water’s Ben Foster could take his spot in supporting actor. Karger points out he’d have to edge in among surer bets like Moonlight’s Mahershala Ali, Water’s Jeff Bridges and Lion’s Dev Patel.