11 Unexpected Actors Who Might Win Oscars Next Year

10. Andy Serkis - War For The Planet Of The Apes

The Role: The honourable ape leader Caesar, which Andy Serkis reprises for the third (and possibly final) time.

Why He Might Win: The big deal here is that Serkis has been passed over for a Best Supporting Actor nomination at least three times for his incredible work as both Gollum in The Lord of the Rings franchise and here as Caesar.

There's only so much longer the Academy can ignore performance-captured acting, especially as Serkis' work on this entry is likely to be his most emotionally fraught to date. With Caesar facing a difficult war against the humans and possibly even dying at the end of the movie, Serkis almost certainly has a Hell of a lot to work with.

Why It's Unexpected: Though Serkis has been passed over for nominations in the past, let's face it, people are still going to bet against the crusty old Academy members voting for something many of them simply see as a special effect. It would definitely be a shock, and a welcome one.