Jessica Chastain Goes Lead for Zero Dark Thirty

I think that this is a big piece of news if Kathryn Bigelow's newest film Zero Dark Thirty is as popular with the Academy as her previous effort. Since the full trailer debuted for Zero Dark Thirty, it appeared to most of us that Jessica Chastain played a bigger role than previously thought. Our suspicions are correct, as it has been announced that she is going for lead actress, which mixes up my Best Actress and Best Supporting Actress predictions. I think that her status as a hot ticket in Hollywood, and her acting abilities will play well, and if the film is a hit I think she can easily break into this Best Actress race despite some big names and performances. Names like Emmanuelle Riva and Quvenzhane Wallis have to overcome language barriers and issues with authenticity of the performance (both of which are crap, but unfortunately are real hurdles), and neither have the star power of Marion Cotillard (who also has to overcome a language barrier although she already has once before). Kiera Knightley and Naomi Watts are both previous nominees, but both of their films will turn off some voters. So in the end I think there is a place for Chastain, and despite conventional wisdom, I think I am going to include her in my predictions which now stand as (Thanks to AwardsDaily for the Photo!):

Best Actress

Jessica Chastain "Zero Dark Thirty"

Marion Cotillard "Rust & Bone"
Jennifer Lawrence "Silver Linings Playbook"
Emmanuelle Riva "Amour"
Quvenzhane Wallis "Beasts of the Southern Wild"

Best Supporting Actress
Amy Adams "The Master"
Sally Field "Lincoln"
Anne Hathaway "Les Miserables"
Helen Hunt "The Sessions"
Kerry Washington "Django Unchained"