The 97th Oscars ceremony is set to captivate audiences worldwide on Sunday, March 2, 2025. Taking place at the iconic Dolby Theatre at Ovation Hollywood, the event will air live on ABC and stream on Hulu, starting at 7 p.m. ET. Viewers in more than 200 territories will witness the celebration of cinematic excellence as the Academy unveils its prestigious awards.
This year's best actor category boasts a remarkable lineup of nominees: Timothée Chalamet, Adrien Brody, Sebastian Stan, Colman Domingo, and Ralph Fiennes. Each nominee has delivered a performance that resonated deeply with audiences and critics alike, making this category one of the most anticipated.
Timothée Chalamet has earned his nomination for his portrayal of Bob Dylan in "A Complete Unknown." The role demanded a delicate balance of reverence and creativity, a challenge Chalamet embraced with gusto. Reflecting on the responsibility of playing such an iconic figure, Chalamet remarked:
"People when they respect and love an icon of culture like Bob Dylan, like Willy Wonka, they get extremely protective, 'cause they don't want to see a young ignorant mess it up." – Timothée Chalamet
Chalamet's commitment to authenticity paid off, as he confidently added:
"It was intimidating, but if I can speak over-confidently, we did it justice. We are now the humble bridge to the 1960s and to Bob Dylan." – Timothée Chalamet
Adrien Brody's nomination comes from his leading role as László Tóth in the critically acclaimed epic "The Brutalist." The film's intricate portrayal of its characters required particular attention to linguistic details. Director Brady Corbet explained the meticulous editing process that involved Respeecher technology:
"This was a manual process, done by our sound team and Respeecher in post-production. The aim was to preserve the authenticity of Adrien and Felicity's performances in another language, not to replace or alter them and done with the utmost respect for the craft." – Brady Corbet
Brody expressed his gratitude for being part of such an artistic endeavor:
"To find a protagonist like this character and a film that's so creative and artistic and relevant is very challenging. And it takes a movie of this magnitude to even have the potential to be received like this, and I just was so — I feel very blessed and moved to have even have been a part of this." – Adrien Brody
Sebastian Stan's portrayal of Donald Trump in "The Apprentice" has earned him his first Oscar nomination. The film explores Trump's early years as a businessman, focusing on his relationship with Roy Cohn, played by Jeremy Strong. Stan's depiction has stirred conversations about truth and portrayal:
"It might be because the truth hurts, and there is something truthful to the movie, one of them probably being that, you know, he doesn't like anyone else taking credit for the way he is." – Sebastian Stan
Stan's nomination is a testament to his skill in navigating complex characters and historical narratives.
Colman Domingo returns as a nominee for his role as John "Divine G." Whitfield in "Sing Sing." Last year, he received acclaim for his portrayal of Bayard Rustin in "Rustin," showcasing his versatility across diverse roles. Domingo emphasized the importance of hopeful storytelling:
"It's such an incredibly hopeful film, and I think we need that — especially where we are right now in the world." – Colman Domingo
Domingo's work continues to inspire audiences with narratives of resilience and empowerment:
"We need stories about people who feel like they can overcome insurmountable odds." – Colman Domingo
Ralph Fiennes rounds out the nominees with his performance as Lawrence in "The English Patient." Fiennes' portrayal adds depth and nuance to the film's exploration of identity and memory.
