Benedict Cumberbatch’s acting career seems unstoppable. On television his fabulous turn as the enigmatic Sherlock Holmes won him numerous plaudits and audience demands for series after series. 

Benedict Cumberbatch
Benedict Cumberbatch has set to receive one of his own Oscar statues

In film the roles just keep on coming with blockbusters including Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy, The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey, Star Trek Into Darkness, 12 Years A Slave and The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug coming in quick succession since 2011.

He has also experienced success with several Emmy and BAFTA award nominations and an Olivier award win. What he has missing from his collection, however, is an Oscar. Could his latest offering in The Imitation Game as key Enigma code cracker Alan Turing be the project that heralds that little gold statue?

It is a possibility but Cumberbatch is up against some stiff competition with other big films throwing their actors into the Oscar ring.

One motion picture attracting a lot of Oscar attention is Foxcatcher which created a lot of excitement at its film premiere at the Cannes Film Festival in May.

Steve CarrellSteve Carrell [R] in 'Foxcatcher'

Based on the true story of mentally-ill millionaire, John E. du Pont, and his killing of Olympic Wrestling Champion, Dave Schultz, Steve Carrell takes on the killer’s role and has been tipped as a big Oscar contender as a result.

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Surely one of the most powerful collaborations within Oscar contention is Unbroken: screenplay by the Coen brothers and directed by Angelina Jolie. Unbroken is the story of World War II hero and Olympic track athlete, Louis ‘Louie’ Zamperini, who survived a plane crash in the Pacific Ocean, spent 47 days drifting on a raft and then a further two and a half years living in several Japanese prisoner of war camps.

Angelina Jolie
Angelina Jolie's second directoral offering, Unbroken, is tipped for Oscar success

The Wrap reported that Universal Pictures has pinned their hopes on Jolie and this offering as a big Oscar contender and Jack O’Connell’s turn as Zamperini provides the studio with the possibility of the Best Actor award.

Next page: Why Joaquin Phoenix could win the Oscar for Best Actor