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Christian McKay Strong Supporting Actor Contender

Posted by Sasha Stone On November - 14 - 2009

There have been rumblings about McKay’s portrayal of Orson Welles all year.  In one of his Twitter posts yesterday @stevepond wrote that McKay was “staggering” in the role and that they’ll run him in supporting “even though he dominates the movie,” he says.

Good move, though, as the Best Actor race has now officially become the most crowded category.  Supporting Actor feels open enough right now – it might come down to Stanley Tucci vs. Stanley Tucci vs. Christian McKay vs. Christopher Plummer vs. Christoph Waltz vs. Alfred Molina.  It is always a depressing truth every year to find almost triple the amount of actors to actresses in the Oscar race, both categories.

Let’s talk quickly about Supporting Actor.    By the time the Globes nominations roll out, Supporting Actor starts to feel locked up.   Though that isn’t always the case.  Matt Damon in Invictus could be a last-minute entry, and who knows who else.  It’s a fun game to play and it wouldn’t be fun if it was already all figured out.

It is looking pretty good right now for:

Christoph Waltz – owns Inglourious Basterds.
Stanley Tucci - not only a beloved actor within Hollywood, an underrated one at that, but sure to deliver another great one in The Lovely Bones, adding to his wonderful turn in Julie & Julia.
Christian McKay – take it to the bank.
Alfred Molina - it’s going to be hard to not fall in love with An Education — Molina or Peter Sarsgaard should be recognized in the supporting category – both are great.
Christopher Plummer – long, love overdue.

And then the two from The Hurt Locker, Anthony Mackie and Brian Geraghty.  Brilliant performances by both of them.  The ensemble for The Hurt Locker should see some SAG love if all goes well.  There is Woody Harrelson for The Messenger.    Jake Gyllenhaal and Sam Shepard are both going to be pushed for supporting for Brothers.  It might be silly to mention Zach Galifianakis for a supporting nod, but the reason he might not be considered has nothing to do with his work and all to do with his reputation.  If he were a “serious” actor turning in the same performance he would be a shoo-in.   It’s just that he’s a comedy guy and no one takes them seriously.  For all of the names up for consideration, check out the Gurus chart.

Your Vote for Supporting Actor

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35 Responses for "Christian McKay Strong Supporting Actor Contender"

  1. Hunter November 14th, 2009 at 9:49 am 1

    I loved Christoph Waltz in Basterds, but by all that’s holy, if there’s any justice in this world the Supporting Actor award is McKay’s to lose. What a performance! I mean, holy crap! You sit through the credits hoping for just one more minute of him.

  2. Free November 14th, 2009 at 9:50 am 2

    I’m sorry. I have to disagree about Zach Galifianakis. I don’t think it would matter if he was a serious actor or not, what he did in “The Hangover” I wouldn’t equate with an Oscar nomination.

  3. Chris Kw. November 14th, 2009 at 9:59 am 3

    I haven’t seen The Last Station. But it isn’t about Leo Tolstoy’s last year, and Plummer is playing Tolstoy. I would assume Christopher Plummer to be up for Lead Actor. Or maybe I shouldn’t assume.

  4. Daveylow November 14th, 2009 at 10:19 am 4

    Since I saw Me and Orson Welles a year ago I have felt Christian McKay should be nominated. He is so good, he deserves to win. He is definitely supporting, Zak is the lead. Plus the movie is a charmer.

  5. bambi November 14th, 2009 at 10:23 am 5

    My trio is Waltz,Mackie and Tucci (the make-believe “report” that Ronan steals the show from Tucci and the cast is bullshit because it`s her movie so she can`t steal it from actors who are only supporting her lead, like, WTF?, and Tucci just looks awesome and different from what he`s done before). McKay will be cool too because they may call Zefron to present award again and be there to support his co-star from Me and OW.

  6. OscarMovieBuff84 November 14th, 2009 at 10:30 am 6

    I still gotta wait on Netflix to send me Julie & Julia (first week of Dec) but I’m skeptical about Tucci for that film, I gotta think The Lovely Bones is his performance.

    Isn’t Gyllenhall the lead in Brothers? The Danish film which it’s based on the Gyllenhall character has about 60/40% screen time. Not sure what Jim Sheridan did with it.

  7. john November 14th, 2009 at 10:40 am 7

    Thanks for pushing Mr. Galifanakis. The three leads are a huge part of why that film was so successful, and he had the scene-stealer part of the batch, His comedic timing is impeccable, there was a no-holds-barred-aspect to the performance which is essential for this sort of comedy, he embraced a character that could have been highly uncomfortable, and he played a 3-dimensional character within the confines of the necessities of the genre.

  8. Chris November 14th, 2009 at 10:43 am 8

    I would absolutely love to see Anthony Mackie sneak in. His last scene in The Hurt Locker moved me to tears.

  9. A November 14th, 2009 at 11:14 am 9

    Finally! I’m glad someone has mentioned Alfred Molina for An Education. I wasn’t a huge fan of the movie, but I was a huge fan of his acting in that movie. I laughed pretty hard at every scene he was in as did the rest of my audience.

    Peter Sarsgaard, though, should be put in lead.

  10. Devlin November 14th, 2009 at 11:45 am 10

    These are the four I feel are most likely right now (it’s still too early so it probably doesn’t mean much):

    Matt Damon, Invictus
    Alfred Molina, An Education
    Stanley Tucci, The Lovely Bones
    Christoph Waltz, Inglourious Basterds

    I see the 5th spot being fought between:

    Christian McKay, Me & Orson Welles
    Christopher Plummer, The Last Station
    Woody Harrleson, The Messenger

    Peter Sarsgaard was really good in An Education, but he may be hindered by the fact that *POTENTIAL SPOILER*…

    …his character is so unlikeable by the end of the movie, you couldn’t care less about him, or how good the actor portraying him was. *END POTENTIAL SPOILER*

    I’m not convinced about “Brothers” yet. We’re beginning to have a lot of contemporary war-themed dramas, ie The Hurt Locker, The Messenger, Brothers. I just can’t see them all being awards-caliber.

  11. E November 14th, 2009 at 12:17 pm 11

    Sherlock Holmes. Really?

    I will eat a shoe if that movie gets nominated for any major category.

  12. Hunter November 14th, 2009 at 12:34 pm 12

    @ E

    Get ready to eat some shoe.

  13. aspect ratio November 14th, 2009 at 1:14 pm 13

    If there is any justice: Timothy Spall for The Damned United.

  14. JR November 14th, 2009 at 1:20 pm 14

    I wouldn’t say Alfred Molina is a shoe-in right now. Honestly, all the praise went to Carey Mulligan. Even for those who weren’t that moved by the film (those like A.O Scott) felt the film was all about Mulligan. Not sure if Molina got that much attention, aside from what we have been giving him.

    The only sure bet for me as of now would absolutely be Christoph Waltz. Haven’t seen McKay’s performance, but he would have to blow me through the roof to convince me he deserves it more than Waltz.

    Eager to see Damon, Tucci (Lovely Bones) and Plummer.

  15. bambi November 14th, 2009 at 1:41 pm 15

    I`m jumping on Jude Law bandwaggon. He was overexposed, then disappeared (well, not from tabloids due to Sienna/nanny/random model-shaggin` and baby-makin`) and now is about to make a big comeback. And we know how much Hollywood loves comebacks.

  16. Pablo November 14th, 2009 at 1:43 pm 16

    I dont really get the love for The Hurt Locker. I find it heartfelt and deep at some points, but other parts are boring and extremely slow.

    The movie may have lovers as well as Renner and the editing is fabulous. Beyond that i dont see anything for it. A SAG nom? Give me a break. Tons of movies are far better this year. Love for the war “heroes” wont do.

    The 4 in the list are almost locked. Only one spot to be filled by almost anyone, must probably Matt Damon.

  17. Chris November 14th, 2009 at 1:45 pm 17

    I am starting to get a sense that Sherlock Holmes might be the big x factor this season and not Avatar. I don’t think Sherlock will do anything crazy like win BP but I bet it gets a lot of nominations.

  18. sheryl November 14th, 2009 at 2:00 pm 18

    Isn’t it a bit premature to vote on Brothers and Sherlock? These haven’t even been released yet. From the previews, the preformances appear outstanding, but it’s still not enough to make a decision on. Of those released, Chris Walz is a standout, hands down.

  19. jorge November 14th, 2009 at 2:17 pm 19

    i think the really big chance to get nominated in brotheres is natalie portman, but jake still has a good chance, i cant see tobey at the oscars….

  20. JR November 14th, 2009 at 2:20 pm 20

    Sherlock Holmes? really?

    See, this is the problem with having ten Best Picture nominees. Now everybody is looking for that blockbuster film to get nominated because they feel AMPAS owns them one for The Dark Knight (I know ppl who feel this way). If that turns out to be the case, I hardly believe that film will be Sherlock Holmes.

    Remember Funny People? Everyone and their mother was putting that film out there as if it had a chance. Then the film was released and people realized it was far from awards worthy. I feel the same will happen to Sherlock Holmes.

    Really, I’m more confident about Avatar.

  21. kim November 14th, 2009 at 2:33 pm 21

    I’m on the Jude Law bandwangon ! Word out of the the screening of Sherlock Holmes say that it is great ! Love suprises

  22. Aaron November 14th, 2009 at 2:45 pm 22

    I really don’t see Christian McKay pulling off a nomination. Sorry. How many people will actually see this movie?

    Christoph Waltz, Stanley Tucci (for either Lovely Bones or Julie & Julia, probably the former) are locks in my opinion. Matt Damon is looking good (he’s had a good year, and Clint Eastwood pulls out great performances from his actors).

    The other two will probably be Christopher Plummer (long overdue actor in a technically lead role getting a push in supporting) and I’d say Alfred Molina (cause he was just so good in that movie).

    I’m really excited about Brothers. Buzz appears to be building for this, and if so, Jake Gyllenhaal will end up being a strong possibility. On a side note, I’d also love it if Natalie Portman pulled out a strong, lead performance. I love all the actors involved in that movie.

  23. Marble_Plum November 14th, 2009 at 3:42 pm 23

    The movie’s about Orson Welles. Biographers and actors will appreciate the performance enough to really consider it.

  24. Joschi November 14th, 2009 at 5:00 pm 24

    Globe and Bafta to Waltz
    Oscar and SAG to Tucci
    that’s what i think

  25. The Natural November 14th, 2009 at 6:49 pm 25

    Uh, Paul Schneider anyone? What a shame nobody’s talking about his awards-worthy performance.

  26. Free November 14th, 2009 at 7:22 pm 26

    If you’re talking about Schneider in BRIGHT STAR, I enjoyed him immensely, but I wouldn’t be upset if he wasn’t nominated. Really, no one, not even Ben Whishaw, wowed me in that film like Abbie Cornish did.

  27. Carson Dyle November 14th, 2009 at 9:22 pm 27

    Bah. Peter Capaldi for In the Loop. Even Waltz can’t match that performance.

    Sadly, we do not live in a just world, and Capaldi will get no kudos whatsoever.

  28. Brooke November 14th, 2009 at 9:56 pm 28

    There is no way in holy hell that this guy will get a nomination. No way, No how.

  29. Rhett B November 14th, 2009 at 10:18 pm 29

    From memory, you can’t be nominated twice in the same category I believe. If this is so, then Stanley Tucci will only be nominated for one role as supporting actor.

  30. babalabalu November 14th, 2009 at 10:28 pm 30

    Lol, Waltz slaughtered everyone else. Nearly 50%.

  31. DaneM November 14th, 2009 at 10:55 pm 31

    I’d be thrilled to see Christopher “waltz” away on Oscar night with a statue for Best Supporting Actor. He knocked it out of the park.

  32. evilfred November 14th, 2009 at 11:53 pm 32

    Paul Schneider was brilliant in Bright Star. Pretty too :)

  33. Biggles November 15th, 2009 at 8:06 am 33

    Have we forgotten about the several hilarious roles in “In the Loop?” That is still I think my favorite film I’ve seen all year. I REALLY hope it doesn’t fade away this season.

  34. Stephen Holt November 15th, 2009 at 8:44 am 34

    I know Christian McKay. And he is an actor who has spent a CAREER playing Orson Welles all over the British Isles and not just in this movie. He has a one-man show on OW which played in NYC about three years ago and we spent a lot of time together chatting about Welles and yes, he’s obsessed.

    He started his show at the Edinburgh Festival a number of years before that, so he’s been honing his Welles’
    impersonation/performance which culminates in this film since forever, really.

    He lives and breathes OW and since he was soooo convincing on the stage, I’m not surprised that he’s equally convincing in the movie.

  35. David November 17th, 2009 at 2:19 am 35

    I’ve been lucky enough to see this film and I fully agree – Christian McKay is excellent.

    Did you know he is using the film’s Twitter account at the moment?? I think Orson would agree as he was always one for using media to his advantage…

    All his Tweets end with “CM”. There’s a link to the Twitter account on the film’s website, and link to the website on my name.


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  • Contender Tracker

    Best Picture
    Up in the Air
    Nine
    The Hurt Locker
    An Education
    Precious: Based on the Novel
    Push by Sapphire

    A Serious Man
    Inglourious Basterds
    Up

    Julie & Julia
    Star Trek
    District 9
    Bright Star
    Where the Wild Things Are
    A Single Man

    Best Actor
    Jeff Bridges, Crazy Heart
    Colin Firth, A Single Man
    George Clooney, Up in the Air
    Matt Damon, The Informant!
    Jeremy Renner, The Hurt Locker
    Viggo Mortensen, The Road
    Ben Foster, The Messenger
    Michael Stuhlbarg, A Serious Man
    Michael Sheen, The Damned United

    Best Actress
    Gabby Sidibe, Precious
    Carey Mulligan, An Education
    Meryl Streep, Julie & Julia
    Abbie Cornish, Bright Star
    Helen Mirren, The Last Station
    Michelle Monaghan, Trucker

    Best Supporting Actor
    Christoph Waltz, Inglourious Basterds
    Alfred Molina, An Education
    Stanley Tucci, Julie & Julia
    Peter Sarsgaard, An Education
    Robert Duvall, Crazy Heart
    Peter Capaldi, In the Loop
    Zach Galifianakis, The Hangover
    Anthony Mackie, The Hurt Locker
    Brian Geraghty, The Hurt Locker

    Best Supporting Actress
    Mo'Nique,Precious
    Anna Kendrick,Up in the Air
    Maggie Gyllenhaal, Crazy Heart
    Julianne Moore, A Single Man
    Melanie Laurent, Inglourious Basterds
    Vera Farmiga, Up in the Air
    Samantha Morton, The Messenger
    Emma Thompson, An Education
    Cara Seymour, An Education

    Best Director
    Jason Reitman, Up in the Air
    Lee Daniels, Precious
    Kathryn Bigelow, The Hurt Locker
    Lone Scherfig, An Education
    Quentin Tarantino, Inglourious Basterds
    Joel and Ethan Coen, A Serious Man
    Neill Blomkamp, District 9
    Spike Jonze, Where the Wild Things Are
    Tom Ford, A Single Man
    Jane Campion, Bright Star

    Best Original Screenplay
    Mark Boal, The Hurt Locker
    Joel and Ethan Coen, A Serious Man
    Jane Campion, Bright Star
    Quentin Tarantino,Inglourious Basterds
    Michael Haneke,White Ribbon
    Bob Peterson, Pete Docter,Up
    Scott Neustadter, Michael H. Weber, 500 Days of Summer

    Best Adapted Screenplay
    Jason Reitman, Sheldon Turner, Up in the Air
    Nick Hornby, An Education
    Spike Jonze, Dave Eggars, Where the Wild Things Are
    Peter Morgan, The Damned United
    Geoffrey Fletcher, Precious: Based on the Novel Push by Sapphire
    Scott Burns, The Informant!
    Tom Ford, A Single Man

    Best Editing

    Chris Innis, Bob Murawski, The Hurt Locker
    Sally Menke, Inglourious Basterds
    Dana E. Glauberman,, Up in the Air
    Joel and Ethan Coen,, A Serious Man

    Best Cinematography
    Greig Fraser,Bright Star
    Robert Richardson,Inglourious Basterds
    Roger Deakins, A Serious Man
    Christian Berger, White Ribbon
    Bruno Delbonnel,Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince
    Barry Ackroyd, The Hurt Locker

    Best Art Direction

    Where the Wild Things Are
    Julie & Julia
    Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince
    Bright Star
    Inglourious Basterds
    White Ribbon
    District 9
    A Serious Man

    Best Sound Mixing

    Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince
    District 9
    Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen
    The Hurt Locker
    Star Trek

    Best Sound Editing

    District 9
    Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen
    Star Trek
    Up

    Best Costume Design
    Janet Patterson, Bright Star
    Jany Temime,Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince
    Anna B. Sheppard,Inglourious Basterds
    Mary Zophre, A Serious Man
    Colleen Atwood, Public Enemies
    Consolata Boyle,Cheri

    Best Original Score
    Carter Burwell, Karen O,Where the Wild Things Are
    Carter Burwell,A Serious Man
    Michael Giacchino,Up
    Alexandre Desplat, Cheri
    Elliot Goldenthal, Public Enemies

    Best Foreign Language Film (submissions)

    Letters from Father Jacob, Finland
    White Wedding, South Africa
    A Prophet, France
    Dawson, Isla 10, Chile
    Nobody to Watch Over Me, Japan
    Prince of Tears, Hong Kong
    No puedo vivir sin ti, Taiwan
    Kelin, Kazakhstan
    Mother, Korea
    The White Ribbon, Germany
    Silent Army, The Netherlands


    Best Documentary Feature

    The Beaches of Agnes
    Burma VJ
    The Cove
    Every Little Step
    Facing Ali
    Food, Inc.
    Garbage Dreams
    Living in Emergency
    The Most Dangerous Man in America
    Mugabe and the White African
    Sergio
    Soundtrack for a Revolution
    Under Our Skin
    Valentino
    Which Way Home


    Best Animated Feature
    Up
    The Princess and the Frog
    Coraline
    The Fantastic Mr. Fox
    A Christmas Carol
    Mary and Max
    Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs
    Ponyo


    Best Visual Effects
    Star Trek
    District 9
    A Christmas Carol
    Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince
    Transformers


    Best Makeup

    Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince
    District 9

    Best Song

    Best Live Action Short

    Best Animated Short

    Best Documentary Short

    China’s Unnatural Disaster: The Tears of Sichuan Province
    The Last Campaign of Governor Booth Gardner
    The Last Truck: Closing of a GM Plant
    Lt. Watada
    Music by Prudence
    Rabbit a la Berlin
    Tell Them Anything You Want: A Portrait of Maurice Sendak
    Woman Rebel

  • Ampas Breakdown

    Actors-1,222
    Producers-462
    Executives-436
    Sound-411
    Writers-388
    Art Directors-373
    Directors-375
    Public Relations-370
    Members at Large-254
    Shorts/Feature Ani-335
    Visual Effects-272
    Music-233
    Editors-227
    Cinematographers-197
    Documentary-145
    Makeup-115
    Total Voting Members -approx 6,000
  • Tuesday, December 1, 2009: Official Screen Credits forms due

    Monday, December 28, 2009: Nominations ballots mailed

    Saturday, January 23, 2010: Nominations polls close 5 p.m. PT

    Tuesday, February 2, 2010: Nominations announced 5:30 a.m. PT, Samuel Goldwyn Theater

    Wednesday, February 10, 2010: Final ballots mailed

    Monday, February 15, 2010: Nominees Luncheon

    Saturday, February 20, 2010: Scientific and Technical Achievement Awards presentation

    Tuesday, March 2, 2010: Final polls close 5 p.m. PT

    Sunday, March 7, 2010: 82nd Annual Academy Awards presentation