Oscars 2024: 20 Insanely Early Predictions

Paul Giamatti is one of the most gifted actors working today, and somebody who's never really gotten a fair shake from the Academy, having just a single Best Supporting Actor nomination to his name for Cinderella Man back in 2006.

Giamatti not making the Best Actor field for Sideways remains one of their all-time most egregious snubs, and he's certainly given nomination-worthy performances in American Splendor, Barney's Version, and Private Life.

But there's a very strong possibility that Giamatti will land his first Best Actor nod next year for his performance in Alexander Payne's new drama The Holdovers, where he plays an obnoxious teacher supervising students unable to journey home for Christmas break.

This is the juiciest, most Academy-friendly role Giamatti has had in many years, and if he does make the cut, it'll most certainly be wildly overdue.