You just never know what -- or who -- the Academy will nominate. "Blue is the Warmest Color," about a lesbian relationship between a teenager and a slightly older art student, won the Palme d'Or at Cannes and could end up with a surprise nomination for the best picture Oscar.
Predicting the Oscars: Wild card roundup —
You just never know what -- or who -- the Academy will nominate. "Blue is the Warmest Color," about a lesbian relationship between a teenager and a slightly older art student, won the Palme d'Or at Cannes and could end up with a surprise nomination for the best picture Oscar.
Sundance Selects
"Iron Man 3," which was both financially successful and well-reviewed, could get a best picture nomination. Blockbusters have done so before: "Star Wars," "Raiders of the Lost Ark" and "Inception" all nabbed nods.
Predicting the Oscars: Wild card roundup —
"Iron Man 3," which was both financially successful and well-reviewed, could get a best picture nomination. Blockbusters have done so before: "Star Wars," "Raiders of the Lost Ark" and "Inception" all nabbed nods.
Marvel
Director Paul Greengrass ("Captain Phillips") received a directing nomination for 2006's "United 93."
Predicting the Oscars: Wild card roundup —
Director Paul Greengrass ("Captain Phillips") received a directing nomination for 2006's "United 93."
Jasin Boland/Columbia Pictures
Ryan Coogler, just 27, has received raves for his direction of "Fruitvale Station."
Predicting the Oscars: Wild card roundup —
Ryan Coogler, just 27, has received raves for his direction of "Fruitvale Station."
Jerod Harris/Getty Images For TheWrap
In "Inside Llewyn Davis," Oscar Isaac plays the sometimes unpleasant title character, a folksinger who is dealing with a partner's suicide, a colleague's pregnancy and the struggle for musical success.
Predicting the Oscars: Wild card roundup —
In "Inside Llewyn Davis," Oscar Isaac plays the sometimes unpleasant title character, a folksinger who is dealing with a partner's suicide, a colleague's pregnancy and the struggle for musical success.
CBS Films
Steve Coogan remains better known in Great Britain, where he's played the popular Alan Partridge in several TV series, but in America he's just done occasional character parts. "Philomena" gives him one of his meatiest roles.
Predicting the Oscars: Wild card roundup —
Steve Coogan remains better known in Great Britain, where he's played the popular Alan Partridge in several TV series, but in America he's just done occasional character parts. "Philomena" gives him one of his meatiest roles.
Alex Bailey/The Weinstein Company
You know Meryl Streep. You know she's won a warehouse full of awards, including three Oscars (to go along with another 14 nominations). But given the competition, her performance in "August: Osage County" might not do it this year.
Predicting the Oscars: Wild card roundup —
You know Meryl Streep. You know she's won a warehouse full of awards, including three Oscars (to go along with another 14 nominations). But given the competition, her performance in "August: Osage County" might not do it this year.
Claire Folger/WEINSTEIN COMPANY
Julia Louis-Dreyfus was widely praised for her performance as a romance-seeking massage therapist in "Enough Said." It could earn her an Oscar nomination.
Predicting the Oscars: Wild card roundup —
Julia Louis-Dreyfus was widely praised for her performance as a romance-seeking massage therapist in "Enough Said." It could earn her an Oscar nomination.
Fox Searchlight Pictures
Matthew McConaughey's great 2013 included well-reviewed performances in "Mud," "Dallas Buyers Club" and -- though brief -- "The Wolf of Wall Street." Could the latter nab him a best supporting actor bid?
Predicting the Oscars: Wild card roundup —
Matthew McConaughey's great 2013 included well-reviewed performances in "Mud," "Dallas Buyers Club" and -- though brief -- "The Wolf of Wall Street." Could the latter nab him a best supporting actor bid?
Mary Cybulski/Paramount Pictures
Michael Fassbender and Sarah Paulson play a plantation-owning husband and wife in "12 Years a Slave." Though the movie has many strong performances, there might not be enough space for the Academy Awards to give the two of them nominations.
Predicting the Oscars: Wild card roundup —
Michael Fassbender and Sarah Paulson play a plantation-owning husband and wife in "12 Years a Slave." Though the movie has many strong performances, there might not be enough space for the Academy Awards to give the two of them nominations.
Francois Duhamel/Fox Searchlight Pictures
Jennifer Garner's performance as a supportive doctor in "Dallas Buyers Club" may earn Mrs. Ben Affleck a best supporting actress nomination.
Predicting the Oscars: Wild card roundup —
Jennifer Garner's performance as a supportive doctor in "Dallas Buyers Club" may earn Mrs. Ben Affleck a best supporting actress nomination.
ANNE MARIE FOX/Focus Features
Sally Hawkins plays Ginger, stepsister to Cate Blanchett's troubled Jasmine, in "Blue Jasmine." The part is less showy than Blanchett's, but could earn Hawkins a supporting actress nod.
Predicting the Oscars: Wild card roundup —
Sally Hawkins plays Ginger, stepsister to Cate Blanchett's troubled Jasmine, in "Blue Jasmine." The part is less showy than Blanchett's, but could earn Hawkins a supporting actress nod.
Sony Pictures Classics