2015 Oscar Predictions: Best Supporting Actor

By Peter Knegt | Indiewire Mon Oct 20 15:11:00 EDT 2014

"Whiplash"

Here are our early predictions for the Best Supporting Actor race, which had a few strong contenders for some time now in the likes of J.K. Simmons (who won raves for his performance in Sundance standout "Whiplash), Mark Ruffalo (as close to a sure thing as we have here for "Foxcatcher"), Ethan Hawke (who could get his second acting nomination -- and fourth nod overall -- for "Boyhood") and Edward Norton, who is getting "best in show besides Keaton" reviews for "Birdman." All these four all in?

Well, there's a lot still to come, including Albert Brooks ("A Most Violent Year"), John Goodman ("The Gambler"), and Tom Wilkinson and Tim Roth (both "Selma"). It's almost as crowded as best actor so it's hard to say anyone is safe just yet.

Check out our predictions in other categories here.

Best Bets From What We've Seen:
1. J.K. Simmons, "Whiplash"
2. Edward Norton, "Birdman"
3. Mark Ruffalo, "Foxcatcher"
4. Ethan Hawke, "Boyhood"

The Big Threats To Join Them (or Maybe Take One Out):
5. John Goodman, "The Gambler"
6. Miyavi, "Unbroken"
7. Tom Wilkinson, "Selma"
8. Albert Brooks, "A Most Violent Year"
9. Christoph Waltz, "Big Eyes"

They Could Rise, But Only If All Those Threats Fall:
10. Josh Brolin, "Inherent Vice"
11. Robert Duvall, "The Judge"
12. Neil Patrick Harris, "Gone Girl"
13. Alec Baldwin, "Still Alice"
14. Paul Jesson, "Mr. Turner"