The Best Supporting Actor category at the Academy Awards is always a very competitive category and this year will not be different. Last year, Jared Leto took home the statue for his work on "Dallas Buyers Club" and beat out Michael Fassbender, Jonah Hill, Barkhad Abdi, and Bradley Cooper. This year, a number of previous nominees are likely to be competing for the Oscars while some new actors will likely get nominated.

One of the biggest contenders is J.K Simmons for his role in "Whiplash." The film premiered at the Sundance Film festival back in January and it won the Grand Jury Prize. Simmons also received a lot of buzz for his role. The actor has never been nominated for an Oscar but he is known for his comic timing and for stealing scenes. This year "Whiplash" gives him a chance to explore his dramatic skills and, based on the first scenes that have been released to audiences, Simmons may very well be someone to look at.

Two actors from "Foxcatcher" could be up for the supporting category. Mark Ruffalo and Channing Tatum are said to be lead roles but it is a given that Steve Carrell will be campaigned for lead. However, early word out of Cannes is pinning Ruffalo and Tatum as strong contenders for the Oscars. Ruffalo is one of the most respected actors in the business and has been nominated only once for his work in "The Kids are All Right." Tatum has never been nominated and the role in Bennett Miller's film will show audiences his dramatic side. Expect one of the actors to be nominated this upcoming year.   

Robert Duvall has not been in the Oscar conversation for a number of years. The last time he was nominated was in 1999 for his work on "A Civil Action." Ten years later he received a lot of buzz for his work on "Get Low." However, he got snubbed and since then he has not had a lead role. Things could change with the upcoming film "The Judge" as he plays a judge accused of murder. The movie has a lot of buzz and with Warner Bros releasing it there is likely to be a huge campaign behind the film.

Meanwhile, Albert Brooks could get redemption after having been snubbed for his work on "Drive." Brooks was one of the front-runners in 2011 and won the majority of the precursor awards. However, the Academy did not go for his violent portrayal. Brooks has never been nominated and, with his new film "A Most Violent Year" getting a strong word, this could be his first chance. The question will be whether A24 actually has the money and resources to give Brooks a strong enough campaign and if the role is meaty enough for a nomination.

Paul Thomas Anderson has always been good at getting actors Oscar nominations and this year his latest film "Inherent Vice" has three juicy supporting roles. Among those are Owen Wilson who has never been nominated, Josh Brolin, who was shortlisted for his work in "Milk," and Benicio del Toro, who won in 2001 for his work on "Traffic." While there is little information on the movie, audiences will most likely have to wait to see which actor actually steals scenes.

Christopher Walken could enter into the conversation for his work on "Jersey Boys." Clint Eastwood is directing the picture and he is known for getting actors nominated as well. However, his films have lost favor throughout the past years and this one will be released in the summer, which could be too early for Oscar consideration. Nevertheless, good reviews and a great box office could help build buzz.

Other actors that could be in consideration are Ed Norton for "Birdman," Oscar Isaac for "Two Faces of January," Paul Jeeson for "Mr. Turner," Matthew Goode for "The imitation Game," and Bill Murray for "St. Vincent."