Oscars 2016: Best Actor Update

Hello, Bloggers, it was just announced that Demolition will be pushed into an April release date which means we can all take Jake Gyllenhaal off our Best Actor predictions list. (Man, what is it going to take for him to get that elusive 2nd Oscar nod?) Since I had him on my update predictions list, I will once again update my current prediction in that category.

Michael Caine, Youth
Leonardo DiCaprio, The Revenant
Michael Fassbender, Steve Jobs
Tom Hiddleston, I Saw The Light
Eddie Redmayne, The Danish Girl

With Gyllenhaal out, I think Michael Caine could sneak in. One reason is that he is both a veteran and Oscar royalty as he has 2 Oscars for Best Supporting Actor for Hannah And Her Sisters and The Cider House Rules. He also has Lead Actor nods for Alfie, Sleuth, Educating Rita, and The Quiet American. Plus, he has the rare distinction of being nominated for every decade from the 60's to the 00's. So they might not resist the opportunity to give him his first nod in the 10's if the film strikes a chord with voters. Although, we could see Gyllenhaal as a dark horse for Southpaw where he physically transforms himself despite the film's mixed reception and summer release. Voters love when actors check that box.

If I had to pick a winner as of now, it'd be either DiCaprio or Fassbender. DiCaprio is because of the real-life person/overdue factor since he currently has a 0-5 record and Fassbender because of the real-life factor as well as the fact that he is in an Aaron Sorkin film and even though his lead actors never win, that could change here. He also has the films Macbeth and potentially The Light Between Oceans to keep him fresh in voters minds.

There is talk that Redmayne could go back-to-back a la Tom Hanks. It makes sense given the topical nature of the film about a transgendered woman and Tom Hanks won his two Oscars for playing a gay man in '93 and a disabled man in '94. If Redmayne repeated for his similar roles, it would happen in reverse. There is also the fact that he is a thirsty campaigner since out of all the Actor nominees last year that were on the awards trail, he was the most aggressive. But I'm holding out hope that they can maybe see through all that and give it to Leo or Fassy!

So those are my updated Best Actor predictions as of now. Whether you agree or disagree, please feel free to write your thoughts in the comments section. Thanks for reading!