... that not many others agree with?

This means, DO NOT use the more typical Oscar overduers like DiCaprio, Moore, and Watts, etc. I'm talking about more unconventional choices.

I remember back when Brokeback came out, I always called out on the board that I see Anne Hathaway getting an Oscar nom in the future, and I was just laughed off.

Anyway, enough of that bragging....

I think that Malin Akerman and Anna Faris have a shot, especially with their comedic work. They just need the right screenplay. (Woody Allen would do wonders for Faris, I think.)

Many also don't agree but I feel Kristen Stewart could be on her way to being a Jodie Foster-type winner. There are striking similarities between Stewart and Foster's childhood acting years, and Stewart is going down a nice road to some baitier, mature projects.

I also have a feeling that if he goes down the right road in film, Michael C. Hall could win one - he's great at balancing dramatic tics with comedic timing - as he proved in Six Feet Under and Dexter.

Maybe I'm just a fanboy of these four performers, or whatever. Doesn't matter - this is just the point of the thread.

What are some of the actors/actresses you guys personally feel have Academy potential?

I was saying Jeremy Renner 4 years ago because of the movie Dahmer. Obviously, The Hurt Locker is doing well and a nom for him is most likely in store, maybe a win.

As far as now though, and keeping on The Hurt Locker subject, Anthony Mackie. Hell he gave an Oscar worthy performance in We Are Marshall, the only reason I kept watching it.

Off the top me head, Michael Angarano, Jason Butler Harner, Colin Farrell, Kate Beckinsale, and I can totally see a member of the Apatow crew getting some kind of nomination and win in time, since apparently his movies are getting more "Oscar worthy" as they go on, someone like Rogen or Mann.

I also thought Renner was great in "Daumer", and I also like Anthony Mackie (especially in "Half Nelson").

I see a nomination in store for both of them this year, at the moment.

Colin Farrell, Kate Beckinsale and Michael Angarano seem to be on their way to at least getting a nomination in the future. Would love to Harner get some attention, but it matters on the kind of roles he gets in the future. And I only prey that Leslie Mann gets something in the future.

I would love to see Colin Farrell with a nomination(and to see him win an Oscar - his Golden Globe speech was really toching, I can't imagine his Oscar speech), as well as Christian Bale, Kate Beckinsale, Hugh Jackman, Keri Russell, Michael Sera, Kristen Stewart( she was soo natural in Adventureland) and maybe many others but this will seem strange to you - it will be interesting if Jennifer Lopez gains a nomination one day
Above all I would like to see Michelle Pfeifer, Julianne Moore and Ralph Fiennes with Oscars...they deserve Oscars...I'm getting angry when I think of the fact that Hilary Swank has 2 of them - as much as Meryl Streep...No comment

Actresses:Patricia ClarksonMaggie GyllenhaalKate BeckinsaleVera FarmigaJulianne MooreAnnette Bening
Claire Danes
Toni Collette
Tina Fey (It won't be for acting, but I think one of these days she will pick up a writing nod. Does that count?)

Actor:Jamie Bell (Given the right role,  Should have been nominated for Billy Elliot)Mark RuffaloChristian BaleJohn CusackRyan GoslingJoaquin Phoenix (Comeon,  this is the ultimate hoax, we know its gonna end soon.)Patrick WilsonDjimoun Hounsou


I am sure I will have more to come

Ever since her performance in The Notebook, I thought that Rachael McAdams had a shot at winning an Oscar. Her best performance, imo, was in Red Eye. She really put everything into that character and her situation. And I don't think anyone can deny that she created an iconic character in Mean Girls. I believe that given the right material, McAdams could easily win multiple awards.

There is no way that Malin Akerman will ever get an oscar nomination, she was horrible in Harold and Kumar, The Heartbreak Kid,27 Dresses, and Watchmen which have been her highest profile movies thus far. She is little more than a pretty face and a flat chest

As far as men go I can see these gentlemen recieving nods in the future:

Colin Farell - I think In Bruges has kickstarted his career again
Sacha Baron Coen - If he can ever find the right dramatic project, he's in
Peter Sarsgaard - Because he rarely disapoints, and is always a contender
Christian Bale - If he can get back to doing real character roles
Rupert Grint - He's the best of the H.P kids and has already shown promise
Jeffrey Dean Morgan - I see a supporting Actor nod in his future
Joseph Gordon Levitt - The best young actor of his generation
Jeremy Renner - A constantly solid, journeymen character actor
Eric Bana - The next time he gets a Munich callibre role he is in
Billy Crudup - See Jeremy Renner
Anthony Mackie - A young up and comer who needs a breakout mainstream role
Seth Rogen - He has been getting better and better with each new film

And women:

Zooey Deschanel - She's getting more popular and is consistently good
Rachel McAdams - I think she has yet to deliver her best performance
Leslie Mann - Like Rogen, she gets better with each new film
Kristen Stewart - A young talent who balances great work with b.o. hits
Jennifer Garner - Deceptively talented, she has grown into a great actress
Kate Beckinsale - Same goes for Beckinsale, who has been doing great work
Vera Farmiga - An excellent character actress, the next Catherine Keener?
Maggie Gyllenhaal - An amzing actress who needs lead roles in b.o hits
Anna Kendrick - Impressive work in samller films will lead to better things
Elizabeth Banks - Like Leslie Mann, Banks ages like wine
Katherine Heigle - I despise her but I bet she will bare all around 40 and get a nod

"There is no way that Malin Akerman will ever get an oscar nomination, she was horrible in Harold and Kumar, The Heartbreak Kid,27 Dresses, and Watchmen which have been her highest profile movies thus far. She is little more than a pretty face and a flat chest."

Obviously you must not understand the point of this thread.

Besides the obvious (Johnny Depp, Will Smith, Leonardo DiCaprio)

I'd like to think that every actor should have a chance to show the world what they've got and in the case of Lindsay Lohan, I think that could possibly help her revive the "career" she once had.

Her performances in "Mean Girls", "Freaky Friday", "The Parent Trap", and "A Prairie Home Companion" were all impressive but celebrity definitley got in the way of people ever taking her seriously and now that she's basically no longer looked at as an actress I think she'd have the underdog/comeback element if she ever did give a great Oscar worthy performance.

I think she just needs an Angelina Jolie "Girl Interrupted" or Anne Hathaway "Rachel Getting Married" role where she'd be able to showcase her personal tragedies through the eyes of a well complexed and layered character that somewhat resembles her persona yet takes her to a level where people wouldn't expect her to go.

Also, Anna Faris is an amausing comedic actress who IMO could do wonders in a great Woody Allen comedy or with a Goldie Hawn "Catcus Flower" role.

She just needs to have a strong director by her side.

R.I.P. Vallorie "Grandma" Perkins & Shawn "Mimi" Wiggins

Got to agree with Kevin McAdams is an amazing actress and she's been snubbed of nods for Red Eye and her best performance in The Lucky Ones in my opinion. But without a doubt save the obvious Leoish choices Joseph Gordon Levitt is the person who I think is the actor of the future and we will be seeing tons more from him. I also think we're gonna see great things from Chris Pine as well in the near future.

Kat Dennings -- Smart and sexy, but hasn't had the chance to show all her potentail/ was great in Nick & Norah

Eva Amurri -- Like the Fondas, Coppolas, and Hawns -- she could be the next daughter to win like her parent, Susan Sarandon

Jena Malone -- Already having been in Into the Wild, Pride and Prejudice, and Cold Mountain -- all she needs is a strong lead role

Blake Lively -- With upcoming films like New York, I Love You and The Private Lives of Pippa Lee she could wash away her campy Gossip Girl side.

Olivia Thirlby -- shined in Juno and Snow Angels

Liza Weil -- great supporting actress; great delivery

Zooey Deschanel -- the apple of every alternative music loving guy, with roles in 500 Days of Summer and The Good Girl its only time before she wins

Megan Fox -- could be a major success, if taken seriously; has to overcome her sexpot status

Ari Graynor -- could see her in a comedic supporting role

Christina Ricci -- this queen of indie flicks could crossover

michael cera. he good in everything i've seen him in.

I would say...

Drew Barrymore - Heard she gave a great performance in Grey Gardens
Sandra Bullock - think she is absolutely amazing in 28 Days

oh to add to my list...Dakota Fanning...she is great in The Secret Life Of Bees & Fragments...I think she will have a great adult career

Excellent choices so far...

Joseph Gordon Levitt -- actor who loves acting. on his way to getting a gold statue, if not for 500 Days of Summer, for the upcoming Nolan film : Inception; also great in The Lookout and Mysterious Skin.

Paul Dano -- with a BAFTA nomination already under his belt, there is no doubt that the Oscars will soon take notice.

Michael Cera -- king of the indie teen comedy genre, all he needs is a comedy that will be broad enough for Acadmey voters.

Emile Hirsch -- out right snubbed for Into The Wild and overlooked for Milk, Hirsch is an amazing actor who is well deserving of some recongition.

James Franco -- with James Dean and Milk shows that Franco is more than a piece of meat but a raw/emotional actor.

Steve Zahn -- always the sidekick and never the star, but with atttention from Rescue Dawn -- things could change.

Shia Labeouf -- if he could stray away from the blockbusters, he could have stronger career.

Rainn Wilson -- loose lipped comedic actor -- just needs the right role.

Steve Carell -- needs to keep doing what he's doing -- the Oscars will come around , he's already a voting member.

Will Ferrell -- needs more roles like Stranger Than Fiction.

The strongest and most solid performance that i've seen so far this year was Peter capaldi's in the movie "In the loop" i can smell some oscar buzz for him and for the writer of this brilliant movie

I agree with whoever said Vera Farmiga will be the next Catherine Keener. Loved her in "Nothing But the Truth."

I see big potential for Billy Crudup. Not in "Public Enemies" types of roles, but something else. Can't quite pin the tail on that donkey.

I hope Kristen Thomson (the nurse in "Away From Her") gets a good juicy supporting role soon.

Stockard Channing also needs another role as good as "Six Degrees of Separation" or "The Business of Strangers" (robbed) that could put her in the spotlight again.

Those are just a few that come to mind

I really think KRISTEN STEWART will have a great career. And I can totally see the parallelism between her and Jodie Foster (and Foster even played her mom in Panic Room ha!). She has a natural grace on screen, she's interesting, she's not f***ing up her career constantly, and she seems like the kind of actress who will stretch herself artistically as she gets older.

JOSEPH GORDON-LEVITT. nothing really left to say about him, but yes, he is brilliant and one of the best actors working today.
HUGH DANCY is very good too, and his role in Adam is just another stepping stone to a great career (even if he doesn't get nominated this year).

I'm not really on the SHIA LA BEOUF train. I think he's fine, but I think he's the same in every. single. movie.

ZOOEY DESCHANEL is fantastic too, and I could see an Oscar in the future for her once she strays away from the quirky, indie-type girls that she has excelled at.

Curious to see what ROBERT PATTINSON does with his career. I can see him having a career similar to RYAN GOSLING (who's one of the best young actors working today too), or he could eventually just fade into oblivion.

And I think with the right role KIRSTEN DUNST could win an Oscar. She's been in the business for awhile, and she has the chops. I thought she was brilliant in Marie Antoinette.

Lisa Kudrow should get nominated sometime. She was wonderful in The Opposite of Sex, Wonderland, Happy Endings, Kabluey and of course The Comeback!!!

I think Rachel McAdams, Johnny Depp, Leonardo DiCaprio, Amy Adams, Sarah Michelle Gellar, Keira Knightley, Naomi Watts, Anne Hathaway going someday for Oscar!

I think Kristin Chenoweth could win an Oscar with the right role. Her stage and tv work is phenomenal and though her previous film work is pretty spotty (RV, Bewitched) she could do great things in a movie musical. Dolly Parton said she had her in mind for a movie based on her life. I think that could go really great or really really terrible depending on the creative team...

She could absolutely win for Wicked. She's rumored to be working a deal on it but I don't see that happening. The movie wont be made anytime soon and she's really to old to play the role. But she would be amazing in it.