Golden Globe Musings: Best Actor in a Supporting Role in a Motion Picture

Golden Globe nominations for this year will be announced in just a few weeks, so here’s a survey of the contenders and the most likely predictions at this time. Weigh in with your thoughts, and let me know if I’ve left off anything important. A reminder that the Globes are wildly unpredictable and that it is still a bit early to gauge the reception or awards potential of a number of the so-called “contenders” at this point.

Last year’s nominees:
Alan Arkin (Argo)
Leonardo DiCaprio (Django Unchained)
Philip Seymour Hoffman (The Master)
Tommy Lee Jones (Lincoln)
Christoph Waltz (Django Unchained)

Last year, this category was overwhelming filled with veteran nominees, and that’s not the case this year. Instead, watch out for recently-honored actors with just one or two nominations to their name. Michael Fassbender (12 Years a Slave) seems like a solid bet, and Bradley Cooper (American Hustle), Jeremy Renner (American Hustle), and Jonah Hill (The Wolf of Wall Street) are right behind him vying for a spot, if their films succeed and their ensembles doesn’t prove to be too crowded. Jared Leto (Dallas Buyers Club) and Daniel Bruhl (Rush) might earn their first nominations for strong turns opposite equally strong leading actors. George Clooney (Gravity) and James Gandolfini (Enough Said) are better bets to be recognized in the lead races, but could also end up here. Harrison Ford (42) is one veteran that Globe voters might go for, and another highly-respected actor should have no trouble being recognized, especially because of his other big film role this year, Tom Hanks (Saving Mr. Banks).
Current predictions:
Michael Fassbender (12 Years a Slave)
Tom Hanks (Saving Mr. Banks)
Jonah Hill (The Wolf of Wall Street)
Jared Leto (Dallas Buyers Club)
Jeremy Renner (American Hustle)