The Greatest Showman #807 - Nomination

In 2002, the fierce competition for the Oscar winner was so intense that it could be likened to a battlefield. It was the closest race in the decade following the millennium. While competition remained strong in subsequent years, none matched the intensity of that particular year—until this year.

Amid the overall chaos of the awards season, the race for Best Actor has become even more heated. The nominees for the Oscar for Best Actor this year are: Jean Dujardin for The Artist, George Clooney for The Descendants, Brad Pitt for Moneyball, Gary Oldman for Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy, and... Renly Hall for Crazy Love! These are this year's top five Best Actor contenders.

The biggest surprise wasn't Leonardo DiCaprio's loss, but rather the omission of Ryan Gosling. After a stellar awards season, Gosling still fell short of a nomination, especially after the release of his third-season project. Despite his critical acclaim, he missed his second Oscar nomination, causing quite a stir.

Another shock came from Gary Oldman. Many were stunned to learn that Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy marked Oldman's first-ever Oscar nomination. The film hadn't garnered much attention until it triumphed at the British Film and Television Arts Awards, securing a Best Actor nomination along with the screenplay nod that pushed it past The Help.

Oldman has long been regarded as one of the best, most solid, and understated actors in the industry, delivering countless unforgettable performances over nearly 20 years. His contributions to film are immense, and this first nomination proves the Academy's recognition of his dedication. His history, filled with hard work and excellence, solidifies him as a top contender for the award.

Of the five nominees, Jean Dujardin is undoubtedly the least well-known. Before The Artist this year, he was almost unheard of in the industry. Even in France, among the Caesar Award winners, he had never clinched any major accolades. However, The Artist changed everything, turning him into a household name. After winning Best Actor at Cannes, Dujardin's journey to the top continued, earning him a spot among the Oscar contenders. Aside from missing out on a Screen Actors Guild nomination, his path to the Oscars was clear. His success has been nothing short of a dark horse victory.

The Artist is also a contender for Best Picture, which has undoubtedly helped elevate Dujardin's standing. The Weinstein Brothers are keen to push him for the Best Actor title, and even George Clooney, a fellow nominee, has shown his support. These two actors, with their similar temperaments and styles, quickly bonded, sharing a mutual respect that may benefit Dujardin in the long run.

Objectively speaking, George Clooney and Brad Pitt are the strongest contenders for this year's Best Actor. Though Renly Hall and Michael Fassbender were initially seen as major threats, the tide has shifted as the Oscars approach.

The Descendants and Hugo have emerged as dominant forces in the race for nominations, with Clooney maintaining a strong presence at key critics' circles and film guilds. Clooney, often referred to as Hollywood's "President," is one of the most beloved actors in the industry. His previous Best Supporting Actor win in 2005 has already secured him a place in the Academy's heart. This year marks his third nomination for Best Actor, and his momentum is undeniable.

Brad Pitt, on the other hand, has experienced a long journey to the Oscars. After the box office failure of Troy in 2004, Pitt made his move with films like Babel, The Assassination of Jesse James, The Curious Case of Benjamin Button, and Inglourious Basterds, all of which earned critical acclaim. Yet, the Oscar eluded him. Moneyball this year, along with his involvement in The Tree of Life, has solidified Pitt's best chance in over 15 years.

When it comes to popularity, prestige, and critical acclaim, Pitt is Clooney's closest rival. Their head-to-head battle for Best Actor is set to be the most exciting spectacle of the Oscars, and it will undoubtedly be the focus of much public and industry attention.

While Clooney and Pitt lead the pack, Gary Oldman's career achievements cannot be ignored. His reputation and experience make him a serious contender, while Dujardin's meteoric rise and charm make him an intriguing possibility. But it is Renly Hall, with his youthful energy, who could be the biggest wildcard.

At just 22, Renly's presence in the race for Best Actor is an anomaly, much like Ryan Gosling's exclusion in 2006. But Renly's situation is unique. His performances in Crazy Love and Anti-Cancer Me have both received critical acclaim, and the fear of vote-splitting, as seen with the Golden Globes, was realized in the Oscars. Crazy Love secured the nomination, while Anti-Cancer Me was left behind, reminiscent of Leonardo DiCaprio's experience in 2006 when his nominations were split between Blood Diamond and The Departed. Despite this, Renly's Crazy Love nomination shows that the Academy recognized his exceptional work.

Renly's age, while seen as a disadvantage in some circles, is also his greatest asset. His talent and hard work have led to an unprecedented second consecutive nomination at such a young age. This is something no other actor in the field can boast of. It calls to mind the rise of Marlon Brando in his youth.

Renly Hall, along with fellow Generation Y nominees like Michelle Williams, Rooney Mara, and Jonah Hill, represents the new wave of talent in Hollywood. While this year's younger generation hasn't fully taken over the Academy, Renly's achievements show a promising future.

The key now is how Focus Films will manage the Academy's public relations. With all the factors at play, Renly Hall's second Oscar nomination positions him as one of the most interesting contenders. His talent, combined with his youth and the concentrated support for his role in Crazy Love, makes him the most likely spoiler in the race for Best Actor.

As the official nominations for the 84th Academy Awards have been announced, the competition for Best Actor has entered a new phase. The chaos is far from over, but the excitement has only just begun.

For Renly, though, the Oscars are not his primary focus right now. After completing the filming of Edge of Tomorrow in London, the crew has returned to Leavesden for post-production. Warner Bros. is eager to meet the summer release schedule, though delays could happen at any moment. The cast and crew, now in the busiest part of the awards season, are hard at work.

But Renly, ever the exception, chose a different path. Instead of joining the others, he headed to Berlin, where a new chapter awaits.