Ladbrokes Sees The Aviator, Jamie Foxx and Martin Scorsese As Strong Favorites To Win Hollywood Oscars

Ladbrokes Sees The Aviator, Jamie Foxx and Martin Scorsese As Strong Favorites To Win Hollywood Oscars

NEW YORK, Jan. 25 /PRNewswire/ -- Through its American spokesperson, Ladbrokes Limited, the world's most famed London-based odds makers, today announced that Jamie Foxx is the strongest favorite for best actor since Russell Crowe received a golden statuette for Gladiator in 2000. Ladbrokes sees the odds at 1/4.

Two other major contenders are "The Aviator" for Best Picture with odds of 4/5 and as Best Director for the same film, Martin Scorsese, which Ladbrokes quotes at 4/6.

Ladbrokes chief odds-maker and spokesperson Warren Lush commented, "While last year 'Lord of the Rings' was the front runner in a host of categories, this year the majority of the categories are harder to call. Once again, however, global interest in the Oscars increases every year and we already know from the early ground swell that the growth pattern will continue."

Mr. Lush further noted that while "The Aviator" is the favorite it faces strong competition from "Million Dollar Baby." "Its looks hard to call and appears to be the most open contest for Best Picture since 1998 when "Saving Private Ryan" and "Shakespeare in Love" fought to the finish," Mr. Lush said.

Hillary Swank is the Ladbrokes favorite to win Best Actress for "Million Dollar Baby." "There's emotional support for Hillary Swank who won an Oscar in 1999 for "Boys Don't Cry," according to Mr. Lush.

British actor Clive Owen is the 7/4 favorite for Best Supporting Actor for his performance in" Closer."

For her performance in "Closer" Natalie Portman heads the Ladbrokes list at 6/4 for Best Supporting Actress. Giving her competition Cate Blanchett in The Aviator with 2/1.

A summary of the six major categories for Ladbrokes odds is as follows:

Best Actor
1/4 Jamie Foxx-Ray
5/1 Leonardo DiCaprio- The Aviator
8/1 Johnny Depp- Finding Neverland
25/1 Don Cheadle- Hotel Rwanda
12/1 Client Eastwood- Million Dollar Baby

Best Actress
1/1 Hillary Swank- Million Dollar Baby
2/1 Annette Bening- Being Julia
3/1 Imelda Staunton- Vera Drake
14/1 Catalina Sandino Moreno- Maria Full of Grace
14/1 Kate Winslet- Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind

Best Supporting Actor
7/4 Clive Owen- Closer
2/1 Thomas Haden Church- Sideways
7/2 Jamie Foxx- Collateral
6/1 Alan Alda - The Aviator
7/1 Morgan Freeman- Million Dollar Baby

Best Supporting Actress
6/4 Natalie Portman- Closer
2/1 Cate Blanchett- The Aviator
5/1 Laura Linney- Kinsey
5/1 Virginia Madsen- Sideways
7/1 Sophie Okonedo- Hotel Rwanda

Best Director
4/6 Martin Scorsese- The Aviator
6/2 Client Eastwood- Million Dollar Baby
10/1 Taylor Hackford- Ray
12/1 Alexander Payne- Sideways
25/1 Mike Leigh- Vera Drake



Source: Ladbrokes Limited

CONTACT: Robert W. Bloch for Ladbrokes Limited, +1-212-755-8047, or
London, Warren Lush or Ladbrokes Limited, +44-208-515-5440, or cell,
+44-7947-307899

NOTE TO EDITORS: For interviews and further information, Mr. Lush can be reached in London from the USA by dialing 011-44-208-515-5440 and his cell number is 011-44-7947-307899.

-------
Profile: intent