Oscar 2015 Predictions, Best Actor: Eddie Redmayne Will Likely Beat Michael Keaton for 'The Theory of Everything'

By Francisco Salazar Feb 11 2015, 12:39 PM EST

This year the Best Actor race is among the most competitive categories at the 2015 Academy Awards. The list of nominees includes only one previous nominee and four newcomers.

Of the five performances, four of the characters portrayed are based on real-life people and four of the performances come from Best Picture nominees.

The winner of the category will join Matthew McConaughey ("Dallas Buyers Club"), Daniel Day-Lewis ("Lincoln"), Jean DuJardin ("The Artist"), Colin Firth ("The King's Speech"), and Jeff Bridges ("Crazy Heart").

Steve Carell - "Foxcatcher"

This is the first Academy Award nomination for Carell.

The actor is best known for his comic performances in "The 40-Year-Old Virgin," "The Way Back" and "Crazy Stupid Love." He was also in the Best Picture nominee "Little Miss Sunshine." The role in "Foxcatcher" is a change of pace for Carell, as it is a completely transformative performance that is not only physical, but also a dramatic role that audiences have never seen Carell in. However, when the film opened critics were not thrilled. As a matter of fact, he failed to win a single precursor and the film itself never took off. Additionally, Carell's performance comes from the only non-Best Picture nominee in the category. If Carell's work had come out another year, it would have won. However, this year he will have to walk away with the nomination.

Bradley Cooper - "American Sniper"

Cooper received his third consecutive nomination for his work on Clint Eastwood's war drama.

The actor was previously nominated for "Silver Linings Playbook" and "American Hustle," and he joined the likes of Spencer Tracy, Richard Burton and Jack Nicholson, among others, who received three nominations in a row. Cooper's addition to this list was the big surprise as his performance was not nominated for SAG, BAFTA, Critics' Choice or the Golden Globe. Cooper's work was also ignored with critics' circles. While some pundits say he could surprise and win due to the success "American Sniper" is having, it's doubtful, especially after most of the other awards have come to a consensus. Cooper will have to wait another year for Oscar victory to come.

Benedict Cumberbatch - "The Imitation Game"

Cumberbatch received his nomination for the Morten Tyldum film. The actor is best known for his portrayals in "Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy," "12 Years a Slave" and "Atonement." Originally expected to be a front-runner in the Oscar race after its premiere at Telluride, the performance never generated enough traction. As a matter of fact, the film did not take off even though it was nominated at every major awards show and had a strong marketing pull from the Weinstein Company. Cumberbatch's work has also received backlash by critics. As a result, this may not be his year but it will definitely not be his last nomination, especially with the resume of work he has coming up.

Michael Keaton - "Birdman"

The actor is receiving his first nomination at the Academy Awards. Keaton is best known for his work on "Beetlejuice," "Batman" and "Night Shift." Throughout the season, Keaton has been hailed as "The Comeback Kid" and has been winning awards including the Golden Globe and the Critics' Choice. However, in the past few weeks he has lost steam, especially after a huge loss at the BAFTA and the Sag awards. Pundits still have hope that his performance will regain the buzz and that he will eventually win the Oscar, especially if "Birdman" wins Best Picture. However, it all depends on his film and if the support continues strong among industry groups.

Eddie Redmayne - "The Theory of Everything"

Redmayne received his first nomination for the Oscars. The actor was previously seen in "Les Miserables" and "My Week with Marilyn." If Keaton has a fierce competitor, it is Redmayne -- especially after he won the SAG, the Golden Globe and the BAFTA. His performance was also ranked as the Best Performance of the Year by Variety. Redmayne did not get the accolades by the critics' circle, but his recent winning streak coupled with the fact that he plays a real life character (and the Academy also loves characters with illness) could make up the formula to win the Oscar. This may sound as if Redmayne's work is overrated, but it is far from it and the actor should definitely be considered the front-runner.