Hollywood, California – James Franco in 127 Hours. Sandra Bullock in Gravity. Robert Redford in All Is Lost. They have one thing in common: being the only (or mostly the only) actor in a full-feature movie. Hollywood appears to be picking up more and more on this trend because of, among other reasons, financial benefits — having to pay only one actor instead of multiple actors and extras.

Recognizing the trend, the Academy of Motion Pictures Arts and Sciences announced a major change in its Oscar nomination rules, effective with the 2013 acting awards.

Actors and actresses featured in single actor films, or being the only one in at least 50% of the entire film, can now be nominated for BOTH best actor/actress and supporting actor/actress. With the new rules, it is now possible for an actor or actress to win two awards in any given Oscar season — both as best actor/actress and best supporting actor/actress.

In justifying the new rules, the Academy said that in films with single actors or actresses,
“they are basically interacting with themselves and that takes some acting ablity; so they need to be recognized for such great skill.”

Will we see Sandra  Bullock nominated for Best Actress and Supporting Actress, and Robert Redford for Best Actor and Supporting Actor?