Oscars 2023 Best Actor nominees: Austin Butler, Colin Farrell, Brendan Fraser eyeing glory

At Oscars 2023, gunning for Best Actor in a Leing Role honour are Austin Butler for Elvis, Colin Farrell for  Banshees of Inisherin, Brendan Fraser for Whale, Paul Mescal for Aftersun and Bill Nighy for Living. Here is taking a look at ir prospects at scoring a win at Acemy Awards. It will be a first-time Oscar win for any of five nominated actors.

Austin Butler
For: Elvis

With 27 nominations, 4 breakthrough performance trophies and coveted Golden Globe and BAFTA awards for Best Actor to his name, Austin Butler is an absolute frontrunner for this top Oscars accole. Elvis was indeed Butler's breakthrough performance - he mittedly "didn't sleep for about two years", preparing for this role of a lifetime. Elvis received a 12-minute standing ovation at Cannes last year. It is also nominated in 7 or categories at Oscars 2023.

Colin Farrell
For: Banshees of Inisherin

For his earnest portrayal of Praic attempting to fix a long-standing friendship, Farrell bagged Golden Globes Award for Best Actor in a Motion Picture Musical or Comedy. He however did miss out on a Critics' Choice and BAFTA win. Banshees of Inisherin however, is a much celebrated film and may just walk away with a surprise victory in one of major competitive categories, including Best Actor.

Brendan Fraser
For: Whale

Fraser's heart-wrenching performance of an obese, reclusive man looking for redemption brought him back to mainstream cinema. Fraser won a Critics' Choice award for his role of Charlie. He missed out on a BAFTA and Golden Globe for same. Whale is very evidently underdog of this list, waiting on a big Acemy Award win.

Paul Mescal
For: Aftersun

A far's portrait through a growing daughter's eyes forms premise of this poignant film. Aftersun has largely flown under rar at awards ceremony.Though it stood nominated for 3 Critics' Choice Awards, it managed to claim none. However, it did make it to National Board of Review's Top 10 movies. With a sole nomination at  Acemy Awards for Mescal, it awaits a potential win.

Bill Nighy
for: Living

With 1 Golden Globe, 2 Critics' Choice and 3 BAFTA nominations, Living stands acknowledged by awards circuit, albeit with no major victories yet. Bill Nighy beautifully captures pursuit of purpose when time is short, for which he stands as part of this coveted list. Living is also nominated under Best apted Screenplay at Oscars.

Who will win top acting honour at Oscars 2023? Viewers will find out on March 13 (IST).