The Latest
Following the Cannes Film Festival I've added four new contenders to the list of 2014 Best Actress hopefuls, which is now up to a total of 22 names. Naomi Watts (Diana) still owns the top spot, but two of the previous top five contenders have found themselves moving down the list as Judi Dench (Philomena) and Berenice Bejo (The Past) have made their way into the top five.
For a more detailed look at this latest update read my article right here.
Last Updated: June 3, 2013
#1Naomi Watts (Diana)
#2Emma Thompson (Saving Mr. Banks)
Walt Disney Pictures / Directed By John Lee Hancock
Release Date: December 13, 2013 (Limited; Wide on December 20)
Release Date: December 13, 2013 (Limited; Wide on December 20)
#3Judi Dench (Philomena)
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There's actually more female leading roles this year that I can hardly wait to see than male leads. Now that's a switch!
The ones I most look forward to seeing are:
Julie Delpy on Before Midnight
Sandra Bullock in Gravity
Jessica Chastain in The Disappearance of Eleanor Rigby
Tilda Swinton in The Last Lovers
Marion Cotillard in Lowlife
Emma Thompson, Jennifer Lawrence, and Reese Witherspoon also look like they got good parts.
This are some others intersting performances coming up this year: Judi Dench in Philomena, Mia Wasikowska in Tracks and Felicity Jones in The Invisible Woman
How come more people aren't talking about the possibility of Mia W in Tracks? The story of one woman trekking across the harsh Australian outback, with her trusted animal friends no less???? Certainly has to be considered
More possibles:
Jessica Chastain (The Disappearence of Eleanor Rigby: Hers)
Charlotte Gainsbourg (Nymphomaniac)
Scarlett Johansson (Don Jon)
Felicity Jones (Breathe In)
Olga Kurylenko (To the Wonder)
Jennifer Lawrence (The Hunger Games: Catching Fire)
Rooney Mara (Side Effects)
Rachel McAdams (Passion)
Chloë Grace Moretz (Carrie)
Noomi Rapace (Dead Man Down and Passion)
Amanda Seyfried (Lovelace)
Mia Wasikowska (Stoker)
You can easily remove Kurylenko, Lawrence, Mara, McAdams, Moretz, Rapace and Wasikowska from that list. There is no possibility for any of them and I would argue the possibility for the others is less than 5%, which, to me, isn't enough reason to add them to the list.
I absolutely agree with u about Chloe! I watched the trailer last night and she blew me away. She had big shoes to fill being Sissy Spacek did such an amazing job herself, and she, in my opinion, NAILED it! Such an incredible actress. They really need to add her to the list!
Sandra Bullock all the way. My anticipation for Gravity is deadly and dangerous.
The two that excite me most are Emma Thompson in Saving Mr. Banks and Jennifer Lawrence in Serena. I seriously doubt that Thompson's role will be Oscar-worthy, no matter how enjoyable the movie may be. And it's much too soon for Lawrence to win again, though if Serena is an acclaimed film, a nomination seems assured to me.
I hope I'm wrong about Gravity, but I think it's gonna tank. I'm not convinced Streep will make the final five because the movie reeks of Oscar bait. And I'm not terribly excited about Watts' and Kidman's biopics -- they sound bland to me.
It doesn't look nearly like a very good movie year for the ladies yet again. Oh for the days when things were written for the likes of Bette Davis or Joan Crawford, or even Jane Fonda or Diane Keaton. I'm surprised that the women of America don't demand stronger roles.
It's not true Thompson's role isn't Oscar worthy. Julie Andrews won the Oscar for laying Mary Poppins. Furthermore, Thompson is an incredible actress bringing great dimension and depth to her powerformances. Watch her in the HBO film Wit or Much Ado About Nothing.
Sorry, playing. Not laying.
Your list is great, I think it's too early to tell if others will join,probably Cannes will have a huge impact on that. I would have included Gainsbourg, though... there's a lot of buzz going on for Nymphomaniac, let's see if it lives up to the hype.
Excellent list. My anticipation header is Cate Blanchette for Blue Jasmine. I'm always on the fence with a Woody Allen film, but she is always worth watching and I can always hope for another Purple Rose of Cairo.
isn't Jessica going to not split the vote shes probably only the lead in one if i had to guess Eleanor rigby probably runs away because of her marriage problems and the movies are her being independent and him looking for her
Greta Gerwig for Frances Ha should be in the list
Emma Watson? Sofia Coppola's The Bling Ring
Brad, I think you don't give enough credit to Marion Cotillard.
She has never been this close to get another Oscar nomination since she won. And it was for a freaking french movie! Nobody can denies that she certainly ended up 6#. A lot of people were shocked that she was snubbed because it's definitely not the first time.
I mean 14#? Really? Behind Cate Blanchett in a Woody Allen movie? Do you really believe that Jennifer Lawrence can win twice in a row at 23? Shailene Woodley, seriously a never nominated actress?? Rooney Mara?? Helen Hunt? Elizabeth Olsen?!!! REESE WITHERSPOON ?!
I think you let your feelings get in the way here. It's foolish to rank her 14# If you ask me she should be first but I'm kind of a fan of hers so objectively speaking she should be at least be in the top five.
Kyle, you should never underestimate a Cate Blanchett, especially when she's joining forces with a Woody Allen, but yes, I too have Cotillard higher in my charts, simply because the roles screams Oscar, she has Harvey behind her, and she's been nomination-snubbed on at least two occasions by far.
Here's how I see the top 10:
POTENTIAL FRONTRUNNERS
1) Naomi Watts (Diana): Overdue vibe + Momentum + Biopic alert + Babe Factor;
2) Nicole Kidman (Grace of Monaco): Harvey + Biopic alert + A Star;
3) Meryl Streep (August: Osage County): Harvey + Meryl Streep
4) Marion Cotillard (Lowlife): Harvey + She’s definitely nomination overdue (Nine; Inception; Rust and Bone) + Babe factor + Oscar Winner + Fantastic cast;
5) Emma Thompson (Saving Mr Banks): Oscar winner + Legend + it has been a long time factor + Biopic alert;
6) Cate Blanchett (Blue Jasmine, The Monuments Men):
“Blue Jasmine” - When Woody Allen films are liked => they always go all the way to the Oscars, this time he is directing Cate Blanchett, not Scarlett Johansson or Owen Wilson + A huge Oscar name and one of the most respected actors in the world;
“The Monuments Men” - She is definitely getting nominated for this (painfully Oscar from all corners) but will it be leading or supporting? + how will the script treat her as the only woman in the film? + keep in mind that there is a love story;
7) Kate Winslet (Labor Day): a recent Oscar winner directed by Jason Reitman that I’m placing out of the top 5 for now;
8) Sandra Bullock (Gravity): a few people have said she’s brilliant in it + former winner + a star + let’s hug her vibe after her horrible post-win period; + how would this eerie (in Oscar terms) film be received?
9) Jessica Chastain (The Disappearance of Eleanor Rigby): she lost in 2012, was nominated in 2011 => an exceptionally strong Overdue factor + powerful momentum + her name alone has already transferred to strong Oscar bait; but the films are 2;
10) Zoe Saldana (Nina): Biopic alert + babe factor + it will help her that she is not white + how will it go with a 1st time director + will this Biopic be drowned in the pool of Biopics with bigger names coming up this year?
GREAT post! Totally agree! I surely don't want to underestimate Cate Blanchett too you're right about that. I'm very sorry but about Watts I can't agree. Emotionally maybe she deserves the top spot but rationally she shouldn't be in the top five, if so fifth maybe.
The thing with Cotillard is that I don't get what could possibly have Brad against her. I mean last year he said that she was doing "basically doing nothing" in Rust & Bone on one of his podcast, then he said that Julie Christie was "robbed" in 2008 which is fine because it's his opinion but the fact is that he is always underestimating her like now (again 14th position, really? behind Shailene Woodley & Elizabeth Olsen!) or the fact that his didn't even list her as a potential nominee for Blood Ties,in supporting of course. Am I crazy or what?
He always does that with her which is why sometimes I (nicely) loose my temper. I love all of Brad's posts except when it comes to Cotillard, I don't know maybe he just doesn't like her.
BTW if I had a top something it would be a top 7 because I think we don't have enough information to really make a top five.
Streep
Cotillard
Winslet
Kidman
Blanchett
Watts
Thompson
I think 2013 is not a very good year to be in a biopic, I think people are tired of them & there are way too much of them this year, there is no chance voters will watch all of them (Diana, Grace, Nina, the Seyfried's porn star biopic, Mandela &certainly some others too) I predict only one to make it in best actress, certainly between Kidman, Watts and Saldana.and maybe one in best actor.
*Even Thompson is in a biopic.
LoL! Naomie Watts is first! That's crazy! In four movies OLIVER HIRSCHBIEGEL didn't bring us one single Oscar worthy performance, he's not an actor-director.
Why Cotillard is 14? You totally underestimate her.
<<<Honestly it's the worst predictions I've seen so far.
Bruno Ganz wasn't Oscar-worthy? I certainly disagree with that. But I agree that biopics like Diana and grace of Monaco is extremely difficult to pull of and is likely to be duds.
Not only Bruno Ganz in Downfall, also Moritz Bleibtreu in the Experiment.
Ok for Moritz Bleibtreu, now that U think about it I liked him in The Experiment but was way over the top, veey overrated.
Overrated in what way?
btw it is certainly a prediction from everywhere who knows about Oscar.
Hardly matters [though the reason why no one got nominated from Downfall was because it was foreign film, his next Invasion was a dud and his third a TV film]
If the film is even just about good [Read: Not a dud], that will ensure her nomination. And if you follow Oscar race closely, you will know the post-nomination ball-game is completely different where many other factors apart from performance itself can come into picture like overdue factor. And not to forget this year showed us what a tremendous support Naomi Watts has in the industry. So, all in all, her fate depends on film's fate. But I would agree with Sikri, Biopics are difficult to pull off especially if it's on, once world's most famous woman.
I see Naomi Watts winning this year¡¡¡
What about Rooney Mara In Side Effects? Doesn't she have any chances?
I think Meryl will get a nomination,but i doubt it, that jenifer lawrance will get on...
I think Mara will prove that she deserved the nod for girl with the dragon tatoo even though either tilda or charlize should have been nominated,I think she will become bigger with this film,but I am excited to see Gravity,cuz I hAv no clue wat it will look like,I think watts may finally win cuz d academy loves biopics,I would be overjoyed if Olsen gets nominated,she's seriously underrated !,winslet is ALWAYS a strong force,cotillard was snubbed this year so she could get back in there by 2014 oscars,Witherspoon will NOT be nominated,and as for Streep,.......we all know she will be one of the final 5!.
With Weinstein on the helm, It will be Meryl (Actress) and Julia (Supporting) all the way to the Oscars. Meryl will not stop until she beats Hepburn's 4 lead actress wins. She needs 2 more and Osage will be her third. Guaranteed!
Rachel mcadams a most wanted man
1. Naomi Watts, "Diana"
- I believe there are many who thought she should have won for "The Impossible". That goodwill will give her momentum. If she gets good reviews along with the film, I think she will sweep.
2. Meryl Streep, "August: Osage County"
-Duh.
3. Nicole Kidman, "Grace of Monaco"
-If Kidman nails this, she will be nominated.
4. Marion Cotillard, "Lowlife"
-The character sounds like a perfect match for Cotillard.
5. Sandra Bullock, "Gravity"
-If she carries the film as I have heard, she's in.
I agree with you for the most part.
1. Naomi Watts / Diana (for the exact same reason)
2. Meryl Streep / August Osage County (duh. Again, but from screening they can't stop talking about Streeps performance, saying she'll win her fourth Oscar.)
3. Nicole Kidman/ Grace of Monaco (I think she's already got a nomination after the Weinstein company picked up the film and it comes out late late December)
4. Emma Thompson / Saving Mr. Banks
5. Jennifer Lawrence / Serena
(Highly Honorable Mention: Sandra Bullock / Gravity)
Shailene Woodley- The Spectacular Now
Nicole Kidman- Grace of Monaco
Naomi Watts- Diana
Jennifer Lawrence- Sernea
Cate Blanchet- The Monuments Men
NOT Shailene Woodley. And I think Blanchette will go suporting for Monuments. Also, what??? No Meryl??? And DEFIANTLY not Woodley, there are just too many other phenomenal actresses out there. Maybe she'll get a Golden Globe nom again at most
My frontrunners are Meryl, Nicole, Marion, Mara, and Jessica. I'm really surprised Jessica isn't on this list because her name is going to be put on that ballot whether or not she is the best. She's an Oscar favourite and hasn't given a bad performance(let's not count Mama)!
I love her, but look at her films - The Disappearance of Eleanor Rigby: Hers with a noname director. I'm sorry but this year is too crowded for her to get in.
If her performance is amazing ala Cotillard in La vie en Rose, the consider Chastain a lock in for sure. The academy loves her and face it every movie she's been in has given her accolades...yes even in Mama she had no bad scenes...she's just too flawless....personally I feel she might win for this film if she gives us a great performance. The film sounds very promising and the synopsis sounds oscar worth
Zoe Saldana for Nina?
Onata Aprile for What Maisie Knew?
I have been vouching for Delpy to be placed in Top 6 from the time I have seen the film, but Brad isn't convinced it seems. Though it's all going to change once he sees the film. I expect the order of this chart to be disturbed soon :)
I was dead right it seems. Brad decided to move Delpy after seeing the film, I believe. Though I still feel, Before Midnight is a lock for Screenplay and a near lock for Delpy. She should be atleast at 6.
I predict a win for Naomi Watts. I am looking forward to Streep's, Lawrence's, Kidman's and Bullock's performances too, and I think they will be great. I see Lawrence garnering more attention for her supporting turn in The David O Russell Project tough. Here is my top 5:
1: Naomi Watts
2: Meryl Streep
3: Nicole Kidman
4: Jennifer Lawrence
5: Sandra Bullock or Emma Thompson
there's no doubt that Chloe Grace Moretz should be nominated for Carrie! she is an absolute phenomenal actress that blows my mind everytime I watch her. PLEASE nominate her!
Streep and Roberts/Martindale all the way to the OSCARS!
As long as Jessica Chastain is nominated all is good..
Truth is she has all these amazing projects lined up and all Oscar worthy.
My predictions for her oscars
1. The Help- best supporting actress (nominated) 2011
2. Zero Dark Thirty- best actress ( nominated) 2012
3. The Dissapearance of Eleanor Rigby- Best Actress / or even Best Supporting for his
4. Miss Julie- best Actress (this might come out this year.so this one might compete with Rigby, it depends how it plays out.
5. The Zookeepers Wife- Best Actress ( I feel she might win for this one dealing with Nazis and WWII..it's the perfect story and might be the Sophie's Choice of our generation....
So there you go I feel she might give us 5 nominations ...2011-2015 with winning one
1. Naomi Watts- Diana
2. Kate Winslet- Labor Day
3. Sandra Bullock- Gravity
4. Meryl Streep- August: Osage County
5. Cate Blanchett- Blue Jasmine
Alternates:
Julie Delpy- Before Midnight
Marion Cotillard- The Immigrant
Nicole Kidman- Grace of Monaco
Amy Adams- American Hustle (lead or supporting? We'll have to wait and see)
Marion Cotillard at number 20? I would put her in top-7 or so. She got raves of her performance in Cannes.
Based purely on the trailer I'd put Blanchett down for a lead nomination and Hawkins and Carnavale for supporting.