With the resumption of filming and the reopening of cinemas in the United States after the health restrictions linked to the pandemic, the potential candidates are legion for these most prestigious awards in Hollywood.

"Last year, we had very independent Oscars ... This year, it's the return of great cinema, great studio films", analyzes a member of the Academy of Oscars, who requested the anonymity.

“The race is very open,” adds Pete Hammond, editorial writer for the specialized site Deadline.

This is particularly the case in the flagship category of the Oscar for best feature film which this year will have a total of ten films in the running under new regulations.

This was already the maximum allowed in recent years, but usually the jury selected no more than eight or nine.

"Dune", a big-budget science fiction film by Denis Villeneuve, should easily win a nomination in this category and that of best director.

It should also be retained in a myriad of technical categories (photography, special effects, sound, etc.)

American actress Zendaya Coleman, French-American actor Timothee Chalamet, Swedish actress Rebecca Ferguson and Canadian director Denis Villeneuve pose for the premiere of the film "Dune" at the Grand Rex in Paris on September 6, 2021 Christophe ARCHAMBAULT AFP/Archives

"In fact, I think it could be the film with the most nominations," predicts the member of the Academy.

Even if it did not ignite the box office, "Belfast", a film by Kenneth Brannagh inspired by his youth in the Northern Irish violence of the 1960s, seduced Hollywood and should be there.

Deemed superfluous by some, Steven Spielberg's remake of "West Side Story" was still well received for its technical prowess and choreography.

While it may not match the 1961 original, which remains the most awarded musical film in Oscar history, it has a good chance of being in the selection because "it's still of this sacred Steven Spielberg", estimates in his predictions Mark Johnson, of the specialized site Awards Daily.

"It's a risky bet but I think it will be in the nominations" for the best feature film, adds Pete Hammond.

American actress Rachel Zegler arrives for the premiere of Steven Spielberg's "West Side Story" at the El Capitan Theater in Los Angeles on December 7, 2021 VALERIE MACON AFP/Archives

"The Power of the Dog", broadcast on Netflix, appears to be one of the other great vintages of the 2022 vintage.

Its director, the New Zealander Jane Campion, could go down in history as the first woman to win two nominations for the Oscar for best director, 28 years after "The Piano Lesson".

Nearly 9,500 members of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, which awards the Oscars, are expected to vote this year.

- A superhero in the running?

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The ultra-commercial blockbusters of which Hollywood has the secret could also carve out a place of choice in the nominations this Tuesday.

"Spider-Man: No Way Home" and the latest James Bond, "Dying Can Wait", were the only ones to attract crowds to cinemas comparable to those before Covid-19.

"We reward the experience on the big screen. And + Spider-Man + almost saved the cinema on its own last year", notes the Oscar voter interviewed by AFP.

Due to the pandemic, the 2021 edition of the Oscars had awarded low-budget films that the general public had often barely heard of and popular films could have an ace up their sleeve this year.

The Oscar voter, however, doubts his peers will hold 'Spider-Man' up for Best Feature nominations, despite grossing nearly $1.8 billion worldwide.

Aside from the precedent set by "Black Panther" a few years ago, "I'm not sure the members of the Academy are ready" to choose a superhero movie, he says.

"The Williams Method", about the childhood of champions Serena and Venus Williams with Will Smith in the role of the father trainer, as well as "Don't Look Up: Cosmic Denial" with Leonardo DiCaprio and Meryl Streep, also have their chances.

On the actor side, Will Smith is once again one of the favorites, neck and neck with Benedict Cumberbatch for his role as a tormented cowboy in “The Power of the Dog”.

The competition is even fiercer among actresses.

Nicole Kidman ("Being the Ricardos") and Lady Gaga ("House of Gucci") dominate in the predictions, but Jessica Chastain ("In the eyes of Tammy Faye"), Olivia Colman ("The Lost Daughter"), Kristen Stewart ("Spencer") or even Penelope Cruz ("Madres Paralelas") are strong competitors and there are only five places to take...

The award ceremony for this 94th edition is scheduled for Hollywood on March 27.

© 2022 AFP