Oscar Countdown: No lack of future greats to consider

The 2010 Academy Awards take place this Sunday.

Time to start guessing who'll win next year!

Okay, maybe it's a little early.

But it's never too soon to take a look at some of the best unheralded talent in movies: those actors and actresses who have never been nominated and might not be considered A-list (or even well-known), but could stand a chance to take home that golden baldie one day.

So even if you don't know their names quite yet, take note.

The 2011 Oscars are only a year away.

MEN

Jamie Bell: He first made waves as a teen, starring in “Billy Elliot” (2000), but he has proved himself a passionate, charismatic adult in movies like “King Kong” (2005), “Defiance” (2008) and even “Jumper” (2008), showing that a great actor can be engaging even in a terrible movie.

Jeffrey Wright: Long considered among the best of his generation, Wright has made a career of transforming completely for every role, be it as a violent Puerto Rican drug dealer (“Shaft,” 2000), a blues pioneer (“Cadillac Records,” 2008) or the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. (“Boycott,” 2001).

Mark Strong: Understated and character-driven, this English actor has had a long string of quietly powerful roles (check him out as Hani in “Body of Lies,” stealing scenes from Leonardo DiCaprio and Russell Crowe). He has recently been getting bigger parts, too — he was the main villain in 2009's “Sherlock Holmes” — so look for him in coming blockbusters.

Chiwetel Ejiofor: Long name, serious actor. You might recognize his face from his many supporting roles (“Inside Man,” “American Gangster,” “2012”), but you should also know he might be one of the most skilled actors in the world. For proof, see him in “Redbelt,” “Kinky Boots,” “Children of Men” or on his home turf: the London stage.

Andrew Garfield: Virtually unknown in America, Garfield has made a name in England with a few standout roles, especially as the lead in “Boy A” (2007, award-worthy in itself) and the “Red Riding” trilogy (2009), a dark series following a serial killer in '70s and '80s England. Soon he'll appear in “The Social Network,” a movie about the founding of Facebook. Which, yes, sounds terrible, but give it a chance.

Michael Fassbender: He'll be quite famous quite soon, and he has the chops to back it up: He played English officer Lt. Archie Hicox in “Inglourious Basterds,” starred in the gripping indie “Hunger” in 2008 and wowed critics in the British film “Fish Tank,” all of which have made him a valuable commodity.

Also on the rise: Ben Foster, Anthony Mackie, Garrett Hedlund and Columbus Short.

WOMEN

Kerry Washington: Ten years into her career, Washington has had a number of good supporting roles (in movies like “Ray,” “The Last King of Scotland” and “Lakeview Terrace”) but hasn't cracked mainstream consciousness yet. Her lead role in “Night Catches Us,” set in post-Black Power movement Philadelphia, garnered attention at the Sundance Film Festival this year, so that may soon change.

Emily Blunt: She's been pretty much the best part of any movie she's been in for several years, starting with “The Devil Wears Prada,” so her time in the sun will be here momentarily. “The Young Victoria” last year put her in the early running for an Oscar nomination, and she is only 27. Great things await.

Anika Noni Rose: You might recognize her as “the other Dreamgirl” after her turn with Jennifer Hudson and Beyoncé in “Dreamgirls.” She also became the voice of the first black Disney princess as Tiana in “The Princess and the Frog,” and she had a regular role on the HBO series “The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency.” With the right role, she'll get the broad acclaim she deserves.

Zoe Saldana: Last year was a big one for Saldana, but she's still probably most famous for a movie in which her face didn't appear. Her computer-assisted role as Neytiri in “Avatar” wasn't the best means for exposure, but she provided the most powerful performance in the film. Her role as Uhura in the “Star Trek” revamp didn't hurt either. This relative veteran may finally start getting her due.

Dakota Fanning: She's 16 now and has been famous since childhood, but she's currently making a point of acting circles around her peers in more adult roles. A brief but enlightening (as in, “Wow, she's way better than the main characters”) appearance in the latest “Twilight” movie, as well as her coming part in “The Runaways,” about the all-female 1970s rock band, guarantee that her grown-up years will match the promise of her youth.

Claire Danes: Don't call it a comeback. Danes was another young star with talent (starting with “My So-Called Life” on ABC), and she has quietly been busy backing up the 1990s hype. Her latest performances in “Me and Orson Welles” and the HBO biopic “Temple Grandin” have gotten critics talking, but she is actually just being consistent. Serious awards may not be far off.

Also on the rise: Alice Braga, Mila Kunis, Nicole Beharie and Gemma Arterton.

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