13 Unexpected Actors Who Might Win Oscars In 2020

4. Taron Egerton (Best Actor - Rocketman)

The Role: Indelible British musical icon Elton John, tracing his early life at the Royal Academy of Music through to his mainstream success and every inevitable hurdle along the way.

A cynical reading of Rocketman would say that it's trying to give Elton John the Bohemian Rhapsody treatment, an assertion that's all the more convincing given that Dexter Fletcher - who finished off the Freddie Mercury biopic after Bryan Singer was fired late in production - is directing it.

But the trailers so far do suggest that Rocketman will take on a far more surreal, even fantastical tenor than Bohemian Rhapsody, indulging more elaborate and reality-bending musical sequences which will (hopefully) differentiate it from the fairly staid, workmanlike Mercury bio.

Ultimately, however, it all hinges on Taron Egerton, who bares a strong physical resemblance to John and could very well pull a Rami Malek by netting himself an Oscar for his portrayal.

The fact that Egerton will reportedly also be singing John's songs himself rather than relying on dubbing undeniably helps his case. If this is every bit the full-bodied performance it appears to be, and the film is at least decent, he's got a damn fine shot at gold.