And there’s 13 of them…

When Disney announced the list of Oscar categories in which it would promote Avengers: Endgame, there was a wave of surprise regarding the absence of a best actor pitch. Robert Downey Jr’s final outing as Iron Man, at least in the context of the timeline, would seemingly not be propelled into the Oscar conversation.

Well, that has all changed overnight as Disney has now revealed another “For Your Consideration” list, featuring a total of 13 Endgame actors. It’s an ensemble list for an ensemble movie.

In case you missed it, the suggested nominees are for best supporting actor;

• Robert Downey Jr – (Iron Man)
• Chris Evans – (Captain America)
• Mark Ruffalo – (Hulk)
• Chris Hemsworth – (Thor)
• Jeremy Renner – (Hawkeye)
• Josh Brolin – (Thanos)
• Paul Rudd – (Ant-Man)
• Don Cheadle – (War Machine)

And in the best supporting actress pitch;

• Scarlett Johansson – (Black Widow)
• Gwyneth Paltrow – (Pepper Potts)
• Zoe Saldana – (Gamora)
• Karen Gillan – (Nebula)
• Brie Larson – (Captain Marvel)

Now, this is a mighty list for a mighty movie, but a lot of these suggestions are not just fourth quarter Hail Mary plays – they are bafflingly left-field and simply running against impossible odds. And Disney ultimately knows it.

Brie Larson, for example, is a superb actress and her work as the lead in March’s Captain Marvel was a strong performance. But suggesting that her Endgame showing, in which she had little more than a handful of lines, is worthy of a best actress pitch is simply a waste of time. I’ve got more chance of flying to the moon than Larson has of picking up a best supporting actress nomination and that is in no way a criticism of her efforts in Endgame – she simply does not have enough screen time.

It’s a similar story with Paltrow, Saldana and Cheadle. Meanwhile, the likes of Rudd, Renner and Ruffalo all have individually strong scenes and noteworthy moments, but too few to mount an Oscar campaign on the back of.

As for Josh Brolin, Infinity War was Thanos’ movie. Brolin missed out on an Oscar nod there so a reaction from the Academy to his Endgame outing would be bizarre. It simply won’t happen.

These suggestions are nothing more than Disney throwing the names into the ring as to avoid offending big name agents and actors. They can’t be serious pitches, and they aren’t, but the overall list does lose some credibility by having those more outlandish entries.

If I’m narrowing the list down to a realistic scale, three names remain.

Best supporting actor;

• Robert Downey Jr – (Iron Man)
• Chris Hemsworth – (Thor)

Best supporting actress;

• Scarlett Johansson (Black Widow)

These were the standout performances of the movie. All three had key roles in the context of the film, showed their acting chops in emotional moments. Sure, Gillan delivered her best portrayal of Nebula yet and Evans was once again superb as Captain America, but neither delivered outstanding efforts when compared to their previous performances in the respective roles.

Johansson was brilliant as Black Widow, showing so vividly how the character was lost post-snap. The peanut butter sandwich scene was one of my favourite in the entire film and its because Johansson steals the moment. It’s a case study for anyone who scoffs at the idea that Marvel movies do not deserve a seat at the table in best actor studies.

And I’m aware that some people were not happy with the treatment of Thor in the movie, specifically the commentary on PTSD and depression. But those arguments miss the fact that it takes those moments to build to his later realisation that he “is still worthy.”

It takes a frank chat with his mother and a catch-up with Mjolnir to realise it, but it demonstrates that depression, mistakes and failure do not define us, or make us any less worthy as individuals. Hemsworth delivers the message perfectly, with an entertaining balance of humour and heart.

However, it’s Downey Jr’s final outing as Iron Man – the hero that provided the springboard success and the foundations of the MCU – that has generated the biggest conversation to date. His performance was his best yet as Tony Stark, but I still think Hemsworth’s edges RDJ.

An academy award for RDJ’s contribution to the MCU as a whole is certainly justified, but one that is uniquely issued for his Endgame contribution risks overlooking the arguably stronger performances from others.

Perhaps that’s why Downey Jr himself initially poured cold water on Disney’s plans to pitch him for an Oscar.

Regardless, nominations are possible – an Oscar win for any of these names, however, in what is shaping to be a hugely competitive race is the longest of long shots.