John Malkovich has surged as a leading contender for a 2027 Best Actor nomination following strong Venice and festival buzz for his performance in Martin McDonagh’s *Wild Horse Nine*, shifting trader sentiment away from earlier frontrunners. Matt Damon’s turn in Christopher Nolan’s *The Odyssey* retains solid industry support as a major studio vehicle, while Andrew Scott’s festival acclaim in *Elsinore* positions him as another strong possibility. Tom Cruise’s campaign for *Digger* has cooled after mixed-to-negative early reviews of the Alejandro G. Iñárritu film, despite praise for his work. Robert Pattinson in *Primetime* and Anthony Ippolito in *I Play Rocky* also draw mentions amid a competitive field. Key upcoming catalysts include additional fall releases, critics’ awards, and guild nominations that will clarify momentum before January voting.