Oscars 2022: Every Acting Nominee Ranked

To put it nicely, Will Smith has had a fairly inconsistent career over the last few years, moving between failed action blockbusters and tasteless melodramas with little tact or memorability.

But his slump may be over thanks to his recent turn in King Richard, where he plays the father and coach of tennis legends Venus and Serena and is afforded countless opportunities to put his movie star glamour aside to bring a heartbreakingly flawed man to life.

Smith is empowering in the role, balancing Richard's biggest faults with his unwavering devotion to his family beautifully, and never stretching himself too far.

After years of bad luck at the Academy - despite having two previous nominations under his belt - it seems like Smith is destined to net his first win this time around, and honestly who could blame the voters for choosing him?