Oscars 2024: 20 Insanely Early Predictions

Again, the Academy clearly has a lot of love for Bradley Cooper, and while he's hardly old at 48 years of age, with four acting nominations to his name over the last 11 years there is certainly an "overdue" narrative in the making.

Oscar voters will struggle to ignore his dramatic transformation into legendary musician Leonard Bernstein in Maestro unless the film is a serious disappointment.

Beyond the extensive makeup effects deployed to make Cooper resemble an older Bernstein, there's no doubt that Cooper will commit wholeheartedly to persuading audiences that he has embodied the man's spirit.

The Academy is a sucker for a solid biopic performance, and if the winds blow his way, it's entirely possible Cooper takes the gold home.