5. Matthew McConaughey - Best Supporting Actor For The Wolf Of Wall Street
Likely Winner: Matthew McConaughey, for his role in The Wolf Of Wall Street. Why him? For starters, it's a Martin Scorsese film which always helps one's chances. Second, there was considerable outrage for him not having been nominated last year for
his role in Killer Joe, and people always joke (Claim? Accuse?) that the Academy gives awards to the people who should've won the
previous year.
Other Top Choices: Javier Bardem, who will be appearing as the villain in Ridley Scott's upcoming crime drama The Counselor, appearing alongside other heavyweights such as Brad Pitt and Michael Fassbender. Also watch out for Benedict Cumberbatch making his first appearance at the Oscars, for his role in August: Osage County. Cumberbatch has already received serious acclaim for his role of Sherlock Holmes in the BBC's Sherlock series, and won the enviable position of the villain in Star Trek Into Darkness. And finally our third 'Other Top Choice', Bradley Cooper in American Hustle, which will be his second appearance with Jennifer Lawrence, and if all goes as expected, his second time being nominated alongside her.
Long Shot: Brad Pitt in The Counselor. While Pitt has frequently demonstrated his amount of skill at acting, he may lose any advantage by being in the same film as Javier Bardem, who will likely overshadow him.