The Marvel Cinematic Universe is full of Oscar winners and nominees. From young stars like Florence Pugh Hollywood veterans like Alfre WoodardThe MCU is a who’s who of quality actors at this point. Such is the breadth of the MCU’s top-tier cast that every Academy Awards ceremony these days features at least a couple of Oscar nominees who are also MCU alums. And this year is no different. In fact, there are so many former or current MCU stars up for Oscars this year that we had to split it into two groups – actors and actresses. First of all, actresses.
Lashana Lynch — “Bob Marley: One Love”
Lashana Lynch is one of the performers on this list who is building her fame. She won the 2022 BAFTA Rising Star Award and also starred in the film No Time to Die. In the MCU, she plays Maria Rambeau, best friend Brie LarsonCarol Danvers (aka Captain Marvel) and mother Teyonah ParrisMonica Rambeau. Lynch originated the role in Captain Marvel and then reprized the role as Rambeau’s version in Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness. She’ll reprise her role as Rambeau in the upcoming Miracle, one of two hot projects she’s releasing this year. The other is her Oscar potential, Bob Marley: One Love. Lynch will play Rita Marleywife Bob Marley, in this biopic of the iconic singer. Interestingly, it looks like Lynch will be campaigning for Best Supporting Actress. However, she is not currently among our intended nominees in this category: Da’Vine Joy Randolph (“Remains”) Emily Blunt (“Oppenheimer”) Daniel Brooks (“The color purple”), Taraji P. Henson (“The color purple”) and Jodie Foster (“Nyad”). Lynch has never been nominated for an Oscar before, but the category is up in the air, especially after Lily Gladstone (“Killers of the Flower Moon”) received the award for Best Actress. Almost everyone has access here, including Lynch.
Florence Pugh — “Oppenheimer”
Pugh is another British actress recording tracks in Hollywood. She plays Elena Belova (sister Scarlett Johansson(Natasha Romanoff, aka Black Widow) in the MCU and first appeared as the character in Black Widow before appearing in three episodes of Hawkeye. Pugh will reportedly return to the role in the upcoming film Thunderbolts. This year, however, Pugh is playing a starring role. Christopher Nolanbiopic Oppenheimer as Jean Tatlock, romantic partner J. Robert Oppenheimer (Cillian Murphy). Pugh doesn’t have a huge role, but she definitely makes the most of what she’s given. However, Blunt is the star of the series in terms of supporting actresses. So Blunt is among our presumptive Best Supporting Actress nominees, while Pugh is not. However, as I said, this category is anyone’s guess, so who’s to say that both Pugh and Blunt won’t be able to get there, especially if voters choose Oppenheimer. Plus, we already know that the academy likes Pugh—she was nominated in the category in 2020 for Little Women.
Julia Louis-Dreyfus – “You hurt my feelings”
The Gold Derby favorite is here. Julia Louis-Dreyfus will co-star alongside Pugh in Thunderbolts, and Louis-Dreyfus will reprise her role as Valentina Allegra de Fontaine after previously turning in stunning performances as the character in Black Widow, The Falcon and The Winter Soldier” and “Black Panther: Wakanda Forever” (seriously, for such a small role she’s one of the most watched in the MCU). Louis-Dreyfus delivers a different kind of brilliant performance in You Hurt My Feelings, a small drama in which Louis-Dreyfus plays a writer who discovers her husband doesn’t like her latest book. She’s never been nominated for an Oscar before, and she’s also not among our projected Best Actress nominees: Emma Stone (“Poor things”), Sandra Hüller (“Anatomy of a Fall”) Carey Mulligan (“Owner”), Barrino fantasy (“The Color Purple”) and Gladstone (“Killers of the Flower Moon”). However, Louis-Dreyfus is an 11-time Emmy Award winner, so we know bands like her. It feels like Louis-Dreyfus will get an Oscar bid at some point, she just needs the right project and voters will support it. This could be it.
Rachel McAdams – “Are you here, God?” It’s me, Margaret”
Rachel McAdams played Christine Palmer, the lover Benedict CumberbatchDoctor Strange, both in Doctor Strange and the sequel, Multiverse of Madness. This year she starred in the film Are You There, God? It’s Me, Margaret,” a touching film about a young girl who discovers new places and people after her family moves from the city to the suburbs. McAdams is nominated for Best Supporting Actress, which suits her very well. This is the kind of film and role that could lead to a nomination in this weaker category. McAdams likes it here too—she was nominated for Best Supporting Actress in 2016 for “Spotlight.” McAdams, like Pugh and Lynch, could take advantage of this shaky situation this year.
Annette Bening – “Nyad”
Annette Bening, perhaps the most established actress on this list in terms of status and longevity, at one point won an Oscar after coming close several times. She was nominated for Best Supporting Actress in 1991 for The Grifters and then received three Best Actress nods—in 2000 for American Beauty, 2005 for Being Julia and in 2011 for “The Kids Are All Right.” She lost in all four cases. This year, she will be vying for her fifth lead role in the biopic Nyad, which tells the story of Diana NyadIncredible swim from Cuba to Florida at 60 years old. She’s not one of our five presumptive nominees, but only by a small margin. She’s on a cliff and can definitely get out. In the MCU, she starred in Captain Marvel as Mar-Vell/Dr. Marvel. Wendy Lawson, and also as the Supreme Intelligence, who took the form of Lawson.
Scarlett Johansson — “Asteroid City”
Johansson is the biggest MCU veteran on this list. In total, she starred in nine films as Natasha Romanoff/Black Widow: Iron Man 2, The Avengers, Captain America: The Winter Soldier, Avengers: Age of Ultron, Captain America: Civil War. “Avengers: Infinity War”, “Captain Marvel”, “Avengers: Endgame” and “Black Widow”. She received two Oscar nominations in 2020—one for Best Supporting Actress for Jojo Rabbit and one for Best Actress for Marriage Story. Johansson is one of the amazing actors this year. Wes Anderson“Asteroid City” is about a writer who travels to Asteroid City for a stargazing event, only to have his worldview changed. Johansson makes her biggest impact as Midge Campbell, actress and mother Grace EdwardsDina and Mercedes Ford, the actress who plays Campbell. It’s a stunning double move on Johansson’s part, and she too, with her star power, could make the Best Supporting Actress list this year, even though she’s not currently among our projected nominees.
Tilda Swinton – “Murderer”
Tilda Swinton actually won the Best Supporting Actress award in 2008 for Michael Clayton. This year she will be another key supporting player, playing the role of a killer in David Fincher“The Killer” starring Michael Fassbender like a hitman caught up in an international manhunt. It’s the same story here. Swinton, who always makes such a strong impression with her distinctive style, could be the beneficiary of that popular Best Supporting Actress category, although she’s not one of our projected nominees either. Swinton appeared as Doctor Strange’s mentor, the Ancient One, in Doctor Strange and Avengers: Endgame. Even in the MCU, she uses her ethereal, otherworldly qualities to great effect.
Natalie Portman — “May December”
Last but not least, Natalie Portman, who plays Jane Foster, is the love interest. Chris HemsworthThis is Thor in Thor, Thor: The Dark World and Avengers: Endgame. Jane Foster then became the Mighty Thor in Thor: Love and Thunder. Portman has great Oscar history, as well as MCU history. In 2011, she won the award for Best Actress for Black Swan, beating out Bening. In 2017, she was nominated again in this category for “Jackie,” and in 2005, she also received a nomination for Best Supporting Actress for “Closer.” However, she could be back in the Best Actress race this year. Todd Haynes“May December.” In the film, Portman plays an actress who visits an infamous couple to research a film based on their controversial (and illicit) past. Portman isn’t one of our likely candidates, but like Bening, she feels like a real contender. Will both actresses be able to fight each other like they did in 2011? Let’s get a look.
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