I think he was pretty much a lock regardless, that was such a trans-formative role for him.
IMO, that was one of the best acting jobs of all-time. Jared Leto too. Growing up in that area, he was dead on for that Texas urban cowboy type, and he just nailed the pain and realization of his mortality. The way he became a leader and advocate was just natural.
I wouldn't have even been mad if it won Best Picture as it was one of those really transcendent movies. I saw both movies(DBC and 12 Years) back to back, and was honestly surprised at how people have been going at 12 Years for being a slave movie. That was definitely not your typical Hollywood take on slavery. The fight in the black characters on that movie was
. They didn't take shyt and fought back. But you could really feel the atmosphere of distrust and uncertainty that I think we take for granted these days. When Solomon was walking through the forest you could feel that fear that you would just be killed and disposed of without a damn care in life.