Waiting for Oscar?: The Leading Men

If you’re a “leading man” in Hollywood, more often than not you flex your biceps, you’re the good guy, your eyes twinkle at appropriate moments, and you usually smile, save the world, and get the girl. Of the current crop, I would rate the following ten as having the best chance of getting into the Best Actor category at the Oscars:

1. Hugh Jackman – the “X-Men” series keeps him the limelight but could Baz Luhrmann’s “Australia” get him nominated? He has entertained in "Kate & Leopold", "Swordfish", and "Someone Like You", with recent roles, "The Fountain" and "The Prestige", becoming more ambitious.

2. Daniel Craig – playing 007 isn’t the only string to Bond’s bow, as Mr. Craig cuts his serious acting chops in his spare time, with roles in the likes of “Munich”, "Sylvia", "Enduring Love, and “Infamous”!

3. Christian Bale – all of his forthcoming movies are big-name projects, but can he better his brilliant performance in “American Psycho” or literally waste himself away for projects like “The Machinist”?

4. Gerard Butler – his rise through Hollywood has been meteoric since “Phantom of the Opera”. But "300" and "P.S. I Love You" aren't going to trouble the Oscar ballots. Will directors Frank Darabont and Brian De Palma be his big ticket?

5. Ryan Reynolds – perhaps the next big-name leading man? Being on Scarlett Johansson’s arm may help! Parts alongside Julia Roberts and Sandra Bullock should keep him in the public eye.

6. Colin Farrell – he seems to want serious recognition, as weightier parts are replacing the action roles. Look out for “Dirt Music”. "Alexander" didn't quite connect, while "In Bruges", "The New World", and "Miami Vice" were aimed at vastly different audiences.

7. Eric Bana – you won’t believe the guy who played “Chopper” is the same star of “Munich” or “Lucky You”. He was known as a comic in Australia, and after some serious movie roles ("The Other Boleyn Girl" and "The Time Traveler's Wife") may go back to comedy in the form of Judd Apatow's "Funny People".

8. Aaron Eckhart – he has quietly put together a good career alongside many of Hollywood’s top leading ladies, ever since he stunned audiences in the controversial “In The Company of Men”. "Possession", "Your Friends and Neighbors", "Erin Brockovich", "The Pledge", "Thank You For Smoking", and "The Black Dahlia" should be seen ahead of the schmaltzy "No Reservations".

9. Ashton Kutcher – Mr. Demi Moore seems to be shedding his MTV Punk’d / “Dude Where’s My Car?” image in favour of worthy action (“The Guardian”) or mainstream comedy ("Guess Who" and "What Happens in Vegas"). Will “serious” follow?

10. Tobey Maguire – he may be “Spiderman”, but he’s been in plenty of Oscar-worthy movies. They include "Seabiscuit", "The Cider House Rules", "Wonder Boys", "Pleasantville", and "The Ice Storm".


Honourable Mention:

John Cusack

Ewan McGregor

Owen Wilson

Ben Affleck

Hugh Grant

Brendan Fraser

Bruce Willis