Early Oscar Favorites: Best Supporting Actor and Actress

Here's Best Supporting Actor and Actress.

Best Supporting Actor

At this point, there are two or possibly three names that can count on nominations, and they are Oscar-winner and Academy favorite Christian Bale for his stellar turn in the finance drama "The Big Short," Mark Rylance for his scene-stealing turn in "Bridge of Spies" and Idris Elba for his brutal turn in the drama "Beasts of No Nation." From there, it could be a number of people, including Michael Shannon in the critical favorite "99 Homes," Jacob Tremblay in "Room," Paul Dano in "Love and Mercy," Tom Hardy in "The Revenant," Sylvester Stallone in "Creed" and a pair from "Spotlight," Mark Ruffalo and Michael Keaton, both of whom were nominated last year. Stallone is gaining sentimental support for his winning turn as Rocky Balboa in "Creed" while Shannon received both Globe and SAG noms for his turn, and for now, I'm going with those for the final two slots.

For sure:
Christian Bale, "The Big Short"
Mark Rylance, "Bridge of Spies"
Idris Elba, "Beasts of No Nation"

And likely:
Sylvester Stallone, "Creed"
Michael Shannon, "99 Homes"


Best Supporting Actress

The two names you will for sure hear as nominees in this category are Alicia Vikander for "The Danish Girl" and Rooney Mara for "Carol," though it doesn't come without some controversy. They're both being promoted in this category, though both are clearly lead performances, with their studios feeling they have better chances in this category. It happens regularly - J.K. Simmons won Supporting Actor last year for what was a lead performance in "Whiplash" (and likewise Kate Winslet won Best Actress in 2008 for a supporting turn in "The Reader") - so it's not a surprise it's happening again, though the Globes put both ladies in the lead category, where they rightfully belong, but don't expect the Academy to follow.

There are two other certain nominees in this category, (ironically) Kate Winslet for her stellar turn in "Steve Jobs" and Jennifer Jason Leigh, stealing scenes in Tarantino's overlong Western "The Hateful Eight." The final slot could be a number of ladies: Jane Fonda for her minutes-long, hammy turn in "Youth," Helen Mirren as Hollywood legend Hedda Hopper in "Trumbo," Joan Allen in "Room," Rachel McAdams in "Spotlight" or Vikander again in "Ex Machina" (she's had a great year, appearing in several films). I'm going with Fonda or Mirren, with an ever-so-slight edge to Fonda, though I'd rather see Mirren or McAdams personally.

For sure:
Rooney Mara, "Carol"
Alicia Vikander, "The Danish Girl"
Kate Winslet, "Steve Jobs"
Jennifer Jason Leigh, "The Hateful Eight"

With the final slot likely going to:
Jane Fonda, "Youth"