3. Oscar Isaac
Oscar Isaac will still be unknown to a lot of viewers, and that's precisely because he's still a rising star. You might remember him as Standard in Nicolas Winding Refn's Drive, and here his career gets another major push, playing the titular character, who tries to navigate the labyrinthine folk music scene in 1960s New York. In Drive he proved a memorable presence throughout, and the Coens' confidence in casting him in such a meaty role speaks volumes about what he is likely to bring to the table. After an early screening for the industry, actress Kate Mara Tweeted, singling him out as delivering a superb performance that's sure to make his star expand. Let's hope she's right.