The Best Supporting Actor race is always a bit mercurial in the early stages but this year it seems positively volatile. The “unknown” factor is always pronounced when you can't draw a lot of conclusions based on role, etc., but in general this year, it seems like this race could go a number of different ways. Naturally, that's exciting.
The supporting categories tend to be fertile ground for character actors to take root, and there are certainly more than a fair share of those in the mix (with the frontrunner being a prime example). There are major stars turning heads in smaller roles and even stars waiting to be born once audiences finally see their film.
So click on through the gallery story below to see what we're thinking here at HitFix. At the end of the day, like a number of acting fields this year, it's an interesting cross-section of roles but one mostly lacking in ethnic diversity. Same as it ever was, perhaps.
What are your thoughts on the Best Supporting Actor Oscar race? Have your say in the comments section and feel free to vote in our poll!