Golden Globe Musings: Best Actor in a Motion Picture – Comedy/Musical

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:
Steve Carell (Battle of the Sexes)
Ansel Elgort (Baby Driver)
James Franco (The Disaster Artist)
Hugh Jackman (The Greatest Showman)
Daniel Kaluuya (Get Out)

After last year saw Kumail Nanjiani and his film entirely shut out, it’s hard to be certain of anything. With Bradley Cooper and Rami Malek entered in drama, the frontrunners here are Viggo Mortensen (Green Book) and Christian Bale (Vice). Robert Redford (The Old Man and the Gun) seems like a good bet too. Beyond that, it’s anyone’s guess, with a number of possibilities out there and surely more like Jonah Hill from “War Dogs” and Ewan McGregor from “Salmon Fishing in the Yemen” in past years waiting to surprise. Steve Coogan (Stan and Ollie) and John C. Reilly (Stan and Ollie) seem to be listed in drama for some reason, but either of them showing up here wouldn’t surprise me. Other possibilities include Lakeith Stanfield (Sorry to Bother You), Ryan Reynolds (Deadpool 2), Nick Robinson (Love, Simon), and Lin-Manuel Miranda (Mary Poppins Returns).

Current predictions:
Christian Bale (Vice)
Lin-Manuel Miranda (Mary Poppins Returns)
Viggo Mortensen (Green Book)
Robert Redford (The Old Man and the Gun)
Ryan Reynolds (Deadpool 2)