The American is tipped to win the individual award despite a mixed reception for Bohemian Rhapsody.
Star of Bohemian Rhapsody Rami Malek is now third favourite to land the Best Actor award at the 2019 Oscars. His performance in the Freddie Mercury biopic has attracted major interest from punters, attracting 51% of bets on the Best Actor market in the last week.
Originally priced at 10/1, bookies have since slashed odds on the 37-year-old American scooping the prize at the 91st Academy Awards to as short as 4/1 (best price 5/1) after the movie was released in UK cinemas in October.
Bradley Cooper is the current market leader, odds-on at a best price of 8/13 for his role in A Star is Born. Christian Bale follows him, a pre-emptive 11/4 shout for his unbelievable transformation into Dick Cheney in Vice, due to hit US screens in December.
Though receiving mixed reviews from critics, the Queen epic Bohemian Rhapsody seems to have gone down far better with the public. The movie itself is way out at 50/1 to land the Oscar for Best Picture.
However, Malek’s starring role as the band’s frontman has delighted plenty of moviegoers. Having already picked up awards for his part in Netflix series Mr. Robot, his spookily precise portrayal of the rock legend has resulted in many observers tipping him to land the ultimate accolade at the Oscars next February.
Oddschecker spokesperson George Elek: “Unlike A Star is Born, the Queen biopic has not received rave reviews in the press, but the same cannot be said for the Malek's performance as front-man Freddie Mercury. This individual gong could be the film's best chance of Oscar success.”
