Waiting for Oscar?: The Leading Ladies

To join the ranks of Julia Roberts, Hilary Swank, Nicole Kidman, Charlize Theron, Reese Witherspoon, Halle Berry, Cate Blanchett, Keira Knightley, Julianne Moore, Meryl Streep, Renee Zellweger, and Kate Winslet, a leading lady has to command both serious movie roles, and a certain amount of graceful time in the celebrity limelight. Hollywood loves its leading ladies to be elegant in public, sexy on screen, and display great reverence come Oscar time. Which of the women yet to be nominated for an Academy Award have the best chance for the future?

1. Anne Hathaway – she’s best-known for “The Devil Wears Prada”, but jumping between “Brokeback Mountain” and “Becoming Jane” will likely see her picking up an Oscar nom before too long.

2. Sienna Miller – she’s playing enough small-scale interesting leading roles to get noticed, and a propensity for nudity does tend to reward actresses who show they will do anything for the craft.

3. Jennifer Garner – “Catch and Release”, “The Kingdom” and “Juno” have put her in the picture, as has becoming Mrs. Ben Affleck.

4. Scarlett Johansson – “Lost in Translation” and “Girl With a Pearl Earring” seemed to offer her a double Oscar nod possibility in 2003, but look out for “Mary, Queen of Scots” in 2009.

5. Cameron Diaz – “Being John Malkovich” and “Gangs of New York” showed the former model wanted to get rid of the looks to get the roles. Once the “Charlie’s Angels” / “Shrek” / light comedy period ends, will she seek out the award-friendly work again?

6. Kirsten Dunst – she walks the line between “Spider Man” blockbusters and interesting directors. Perhaps a worthy performance as a relief worker in the Middle East in “Sweet Relief” (2009) will attract Oscar attention?

7. Katherine Heigl – she’s in Hollywood’s glare at the moment thanks to “Grey’s Anatomy” on TV, and “Knocked Up” / “27 Dresses” in the cinemas. Can she attract the big roles?

8. Sandra Bullock – small roles in “Crash” and “Infamous” aside, there have been many a comedy and thriller starring Miss Bullock since she raced onto our screens in “Speed” in 1994.

9. Demi Moore – once a star always a star? She still looks great, and it’s a long time since “Striptease” and “GI Jane”. Maybe supporting roles in “Bobby” and “Mr. Brooks” are a sign of things to come? “Passion of Mind” is still her best performance.

10. Meg Ryan – British fans will remember her odd interview at the hands of Michael Parkinson. The ‘90s were kind to Meg, but maybe Diane English’s “The Women” will get her back on track?