CHARLIZE THERON- BOMBSHELL



A one-time Oscar winner (for Monster), Theron only has one other nomination to her name in her career (2005's North Country). That isn't to say she hasn't delivered any other great performances in the years since. On the contrary, Theron has a number of fantastic turns under her belt, displaying impeccable range in a variety of genres. She became an action icon in Mad Max: Fury Road, showed off her comedic chops in Long Shot, and earned Golden Globes nods for her collaborations with Jason Reitman, Young Adult and Tully. Even though she has an Oscar already, a case can be made Theron is due for another nomination.

She might find herself in the running for her turn as Megyn Kelly in director Jay Roach's Bombshell. The picture is scheduled for release this December, and has a stacked cast that also includes Margot Robbie, Nicole Kidman, John Lithgow, and several other big names. Primarily known for comedies, Roach recently shifted into more prestigious fare by calling the shots on Trumbo, which netted Bryan Cranston an Oscar nomination in 2015. Time will tell if this Fox News exposé will find traction on the awards circuit (the subject matter is extremely timely, so it might), but if it's a hit, it should be in line for some acting nominations. Once Bombshell actually screens, Theron could become a force to be reckoned with. Her eerie transformation into Kelly looks to be a chameleon-like turn a la Monster.

CYNTHIA ERIVO - HARRIET



Playing beloved historical figures is an easy way to get into the Oscar race, and for a while it looked like Erivo would be one of the top contenders. In this biopic, she plays Harriet Tubman, the iconic abolitionist best known for her work helping free slaves through the Underground Railroad. Erivo had a big 2018 starring in films like Bad Times at the El Royale and Widows, so she seemed poised to make another leap this year. Sadly, it doesn't appear that'll be the case.

Harriet played at the Toronto International Film Festival back in September, where it received lukewarm reviews. Many feel this is a very standard film that fails to truly commemorate the incredible person at its center. It's worth mentioning Erivo is the definite standout here and was cited as giving a strong performance as Tubman. That said, it remains to be seen if that'll be enough to catapult her into the field or if she'll be left on the outside looking in. Harriet doesn't appear to be much of an Oscar player, so Erivo faces an uphill climb.

AWKWAFINA - THE FAREWELL



Awkwafina's seen her popularity rise over the past year, headlining Crazy Rich Asians and Ocean's Eight last year. Now, she's looking to break into the Oscar race with The Farewell. Hitting theaters during the summer, the film received enthusiastic reviews, praising it for deft direction and engaging performances (Awkwafina among them). The Farewell could emerge as a leading contender for distributor A24, the indie darling outfit that doesn't have much to campaign for at the outset of the season (save for Adam Sandler in Uncut Gems). Even if The Farewell is too "small" to make the Best Picture lineup, Awkwafina stands a chance at a nomination.

Her odds will improve or take a hit depending on how Little Women and Bombshell fare when those begin to screen. If either falters and Ronan or Theron isn't a sure thing, Awkwafina could slide up and take one of those spots. But should those films deliver on their on-paper potential and are clear showcases for their leading ladies, then Awkwafina may have a hard time securing enough votes to land a nomination. The field is thin this year, but it's top-heavy right now, and the bigger names will likely garner more support.

JODIE TURNER-SMITH - QUEEN & SLIM



Queen & Slim is another film yet to screen this season, but it looks like it could get in the running for some nominations if it lands with voters. The story is very timely, following an African-American couple on the run after Slim (Oscar nominee Daniel Kaluuya) shoots and kills a police officer in self-defense. Its trailers promise an emotional and hard-hitting drama about "the black Bonnie and Clyde." Queen & Slim being unseen so far makes it difficult to gauge Turner-Smith's chances, but that'll change in the near future.

Right now, Turner-Smith is in the same boat as Awkwafina. It looks like her best chance to get a nomination is if one of Little Women or Bombshell fall, opening up a slot for her to take. Of course, this is assuming Queen & Slim is a high-quality film, which remains to be seen. If it goes over well with critics, it could emerge as a late-breaker that shakes up the race.