1. Channing Tatum - Foxcatcher
The Film: Back to Bennett Miller's much-anticipated awards season player, Foxcatcher.
Why He Could Win: Though the expectation is that Steve Carell has been the recipient of the meatiest role in the movie, this could be a major step-up (pun intended) for Channing Tatum, who in the last 18 months has had an unprecedented career turnaround, proving his comic appeal in 21 Jump Street, and his dramatic aplomb in the likes of Magic Mike and Side Effects. The next logical step just might be an Oscar, if Tatum can continue to build his rising star momentum to a fever pitch. What works in his favour? As a man whose brother gets murdered, there's much potential for some visceral emotion in the latter stages of the movie, and depending how satirical the film is with regard to the amateur wrestling set-up, Tatum could also be once again proving his comic chops. Can you imagine, going from Dear John to an Oscar winner in a 4-year period? And it can totally happen.
Other Talent: Oscar winner Vanessa Redgrave, Oscar nominees Bennett Miller (director), Dan Futterman (writer) & Mark Ruffalo. Which actor do you most want to see win an Oscar this year? Are there any other unlikely bets we missed? Let us know in the comments below.