Rami Malek Now Odds-On Favorite to Win Best Actor After SAG Awards Victory

• Rami Malek’s Academy Awards odds shortened from +125 to -250 following his victory at the SAG Awards
• Malek is now the odds-on favorite to win the Oscar for Best Actor
• Is there any value in betting on Christian Bale or Bradley Cooper?

“Ay-oh!” Queen fans everywhere are on the edge of their seats waiting for Rami Malek to win a Best Actor Academy Award for his role as Queen front-man, Freddie Mercury, in the star-turning feature Bohemian Rhapsody.

Malek’s top contender in this year’s race is none other than Hollywood heavy-hitter Christian Bale, whose transformative performance as Dick Chaney in Vice has also impressed audiences and critics alike.

2019 Academy Awards Best Actor Odds

Malek is Soaking up the Spotlight

And, a tight race it has been between the two character actors! Malek has seen his 2019 Academy Awards odds ebb and flow dramatically thanks to his success at the Golden Globes and SAG Awards, where he picked up Best Actor trophies.

Malek seems to be reveling in his time in the spotlight, smiling on red carpets everywhere, and he’s really enjoying the success that Rhapsody has brought him. Previously known as a television star in the cult favorite Mr. Robot, this outing on the big screen has been massive for Malek’s career, and the Academy is likely to recognize just that.

Thank you to the Academy for recognizing the work of so many from the cast and crew who made all of this possible. I have absolutely treasured playing Freddie Mercury and I am so profoundly humbled and thrilled to honor him this way.

— Rami Malek (@ItsRamiMalek) January 22, 2019

It is likely that Malek is going to win the award. For the past few years, the Academy has been celebrating career actors in this category such as Gary Oldman and Leonardo DiCaprio. It’s been a solid half decade since fresh-faced newcomer Eddie Redmayne won, and the Academy is overdue in crowning a budding film star.

It’s been a solid half decade since fresh-faced newcomer Eddie Redmayne won, and the Academy is overdue in crowning a budding film star.

Bale Deserves Consideration

Bale is a strong contender, having previously lost in this category for his role in American Hustle and also a win in the Best Supporting Actor category. It’s no doubt that Bale has the acting chops to score a win, and that his Vice performance was a knockout. But Malek has the edge with a popular, fan favorite film and an iconic, lovable performance that resonated with many demographics.

Naturally, the category is rounded out with a trio of other great performances, most notably Bradley Cooper in A Star is Born. But neither Cooper, Viggo Mortensen, or Willem Dafoe have managed to scoop other award ceremonies this season, leaving it a neck and neck battle between Malek and Bale. Does the Academy want to see a superstar singer or a politician rewarded in this year’s Best Actor race?

Whose Name Will Be Announced on Oscars Night?

Wait for Malek to strut his stuff, Freddie Mercury style, near the end of the ceremony while “Bohemian Rhapsody” the song plays him toward the podium.

Pick: Malek (-250)