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Joaquin Phoenix is the early favourite to win the best actor Oscar in 2020 for playing the Joker, according to Oddschecker .
The Joker' s inclusion at two prestigious film festivals – it will hold its world premiere at the Venice Film Festival later this month before screening at the Toronto International Film Festival – is rare for a comic book-based film, fuelling speculation it will be a major awards season contender.
At the time of writing, Phoenix is tipped to win at odds of 9/4, with Tom Hanks at 3/1 for A Beautiful Day in the Neighbourhood , Taron Egerton at 10/3 for Rocketman and Antonio Banderas at 7/2 for Pain and Glory.
The bookies have currently got Netflix divorce drama Marriage Story , starring Scarlett Johansson and Adam Driver, in the top spot for best picture at odds of 5/1. Quentin Tarantino’s Once Upon a Time in Hollywood is in close second at 6/1.
Oscars 2019: Best behind-the-scenes photos of celebrity guestsShow all 15 1 /15Oscars 2019: Best behind-the-scenes photos of celebrity guests Oscars 2019: Best behind-the-scenes photos of celebrity guests Julia Roberts The actor took a candid selfie backstage with her close friend Paul Rudd, writing on Instagram: "Ran into this fella. My pal Paul- he is an original. #Oscars91 #actualfriends".
Instagram/@juliaroberts
Oscars 2019: Best behind-the-scenes photos of celebrity guests Emilia Clarke The 'Game of Thrones' actor posted a selfie while on her way to the ceremony, writing in the caption: "Blondes have more fun eh?! Well I will see about that this fine #oscar2019 evening..... let the good times roll".
Instagram/@emilia_clarke
Oscars 2019: Best behind-the-scenes photos of celebrity guests Miley Cyrus The singer posted a photograph of herself ahead of the Oscars x Vanity Fair after party, which she attended alongside husband Liam Hemsworth. She wore a plunging black sequin gown by Saint Laurent complete with a thigh-high slit and accessorized the look with Bulgari jewellery.
Instagram/@mileycyrus
Oscars 2019: Best behind-the-scenes photos of celebrity guests Spike Lee The 'BlacKkKlansman' director posted a triumphant snap of his award for 'Best Adapted Screenplay' alongside his sparkling gold trainers, which neatly matched the statuette. Lee captioned his post: "BOOMSHACKSLACKA".
Instagram/@officialspikelee
Oscars 2019: Best behind-the-scenes photos of celebrity guests Lupita Nyong'o The 'Black Panther' star might not have walked down the red carpet before the awards ceremony, but she did offer fans a behind-the-scenes sneak preview of her chosen gown, which was a stunning white feathered number by Oscar de la Renta.
Instagram/@lupitanyongo
Oscars 2019: Best behind-the-scenes photos of celebrity guests Alex Rodriguez The revered basketball player posed alongside Jennifer Lopez during the ceremony, writing in the corresponding caption: "Mirror mirror on the wall. Who’s got the hottest date of them all?!"
Instagram/@arod
Oscars 2019: Best behind-the-scenes photos of celebrity guests Gabrielle Union The American actor wore a deep crimson satin gown by Valentino for Vanity Fair's famous Oscars after party, giving her 12.2m Instagram followers a sneak preview of the final look.
Instagram/@gabunion
Oscars 2019: Best behind-the-scenes photos of celebrity guests Awkwafina Showing that no celebrity is immune to the lures of fan girling, the American rapper posted a photograph of herself posing alongside 'Big Little Lies' star Laura Dern on the Oscars red carpet, writing: "Freaking out - I love u @lauradern !!"
Instagram/@awkwafina
Oscars 2019: Best behind-the-scenes photos of celebrity guests Tracee Ellis Ross The American actor was captured taking a selfie on the night of the ceremony alongside her musician mother Diana Ross and brother Evan, and his wife, Ashee Simpson, both of whom are also singers. She captioned the image, "NIGHT OUT WITH THE FAM".
Instagram/@traceeelisross
Oscars 2019: Best behind-the-scenes photos of celebrity guests Gemma Chan The 'Crazy Rich Asians' star gave her fans a preview of her Oscars gown by posting this snap on Instagram, revealing her billowing fuchsia Valentino gown, which she paired with Bulgari jewellery.
Instagram/@gemma_chan
Oscars 2019: Best behind-the-scenes photos of celebrity guests Jennifer Hudson The singer and actor posed for a selfie while inside the ceremony alongside friend Walter 'Wally' Bean.
Instagram/@iamjhud
Oscars 2019: Best behind-the-scenes photos of celebrity guests James McAvoy The 'Split' actor took a mirror selfie, presumably inside the bathroom at the Dolby Theatre, revealing his white shirt that had been covered in celebrity autographs, including ones from Frances McDormand and Michael B Jordan. "Went to the Oscars. Presented. Got mugged by sharpie wielding celebrities," he wrote. "#thuglebrity I’m sure my shirt is going to be defaced by more of these entitled graffiti mentalists as the night goes on."
Instagram/@jamesmcavoyrealdeal
Oscars 2019: Best behind-the-scenes photos of celebrity guests Michael B Jordan The 'Black Panther' star posted a candid photograph of him and his mother on Instagram ahead of the Oscars. "My mama about to make me have to fight somebody she looking so pretty," he wrote in the caption.
Instagram/@michaelbjordan
Oscars 2019: Best behind-the-scenes photos of celebrity guests Selma Blair The American actor posed for a selfie at the Oscars x Vanity Fair after party with renowned TV producer Shonda Rhimes.
Instagram/@selmablair
Oscars 2019: Best behind-the-scenes photos of celebrity guests Jason Momoa The 'Game of Thrones' actor posed alongside his co-star, Emilia Clarke, on the night of the awards, posting the snap on Instagram alongside the caption: "So proud of you @emilia_clarke I love u with all my heart Aloha Drogo" in reference to his character's name, Khal Drogo.
Instagram/@prideofgypsies
Oddschecker is not currently listing the odds for best actress winners, but strong contenders are Penelope Cruz for Pain and Glory, Nicole Kidman for Fair and Balanced , Helen Mirren for The Good Liar and Saoirse Ronan for Little Women.
The nominations will be announced closer to the ceremony, which will take place on Sunday 9th February 2020.
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