For the next few weeks, hecklerspray will be looking at various Oscars betting odds for 2007 in the vague hope that Tom Hanks walks onstage swearing his arse off just like he did last year to take our minds off the fact that we know all the winners anyway.
Because, face it, you do. You could stop a blind old homeless lady on the street and ask her about her thoughts on the 2007 Best Actor Oscar and she'd tell you that the nice Forest Whitaker man probably had it in the bag. The Best Actor Oscar is a close to a one-horse race as you can get this year – but what if it isn't? There are four Best Actor nominees, after all, or five if you count Will Smith. So the Best Actor Oscar race is wide open. Unless it isn't. Which it is.
Today's part two of our Oscars betting odds for the Best Actor statue, and we're focusing on Peter O'Toole and Forest Whitaker, with betting odds coming from Paddy Power…
Peter O'Toole, Venus – Remember when Ray Charles won all those Grammys for that soggy collection of half-baked duets he did? It was like he was being told "You're probably going to die soon so, here, have these." Without putting too fine a point on it, the same can probably also be said for Peter O'Toole's role in Venus. Peter O'Toole is probably one of the finest actors to have ever lived, but Oscar glory has thus far eluded him. Venus is thought to be his last shot at winning a Best Actor Oscar, so there's bound to be some sympathy votes knocking around for him. Still, nobody plays Generic Twinkly Randy Old Man like Peter O'Toole plays Generic Twinkly Randy Old Man, and most years we'd say that the Best Actor Oscar was as good as his. Perhaps not this year, though. Current Best Actor Oscar betting odds – 5/2
Forest Whitaker, Last King Of Scotland – Everything about Forest Whitaker's portrayal of Idi Amin in The Last King Of Scotland screams "Give me an Oscar" – he absolutely nails Amin, showing us the charm and showmanship Idi Amin undoubtedly had as well as the terrifying murderous paranoia. The end of The Last King Of Scotland even shows clips of the real Idi Amin, as if to say "Look! He even looks a bit like him too!" Forest Whitaker goes into the Oscars as the strong favourite to win the Best Actor prize, so let's hope he brushes up on his speech-giving skills in time – the acceptance speech he gave at the Golden Globes was like listening to a confused old lady ask a policeman if he knew where she lived. Current Best Actor Oscar betting odds – 2/7
Tomorrow – That's enough of actors who we like, what about the crappy ones? Tomorrow we'll be looking at the Razzies betting odds for Worst Actor. But if that's too long to wait – or you feel like making more money than you know what to do with – head right over to the Paddy Power Oscars betting odds page to see the latest, and best, betting odds.
Wooden Wife says
I’m getting annoyed that you have to star in a biopic these days to win an Oscar. Truman Capote… Ray Charles… the girl from Monster… now Idi Amin and Queen Elizabeth II. What happened to Oscars voters using their imaginations for once?
Sherrie says
Hi,
I just heard some bad news and i’m hoping it’s not true. I was told the Forrest Whitaker died while on the making of the moive Vantage Point. Can you clear up this lie please. I love this man as a actor he is unique and professional. I love all of his work. When I hear his name I know this is a movie I will be going to see. Can you please send me a e-mail to confirm this gossip is a lie thank you. Sherrie
toolahroolahroolah says
Yes, he is dead.
He was tragically killed trying to break up a gunfight between Clint Eastwood and Spike Lee.
Hollywood mourns.