Oscars 2010: the Academy Award nominees' lunch

Let us begin at the top table, with the self-crowned 'king of the world'. James Cameron looks to be heading for a second best-director statuette with Avatar, although this may be as close to Oscar as he actually gets
Photograph: Gabriel Bouys/AFP/Getty Images

Why? Because Cameron faces a stern challenge from ex-wife Kathryn Bigelow. Here she is, towering over the film's star, Jeremy Renner. Come Oscar night, she could similarly cast Cameron in the shade
Photograph: Kyle Rover/Rex Features

Also in the running for best director is Quentin Tarantino. His Inglourious Basterds trails one place behind Avatar and The Hurt Locker with a grand total of eight nominations
Photograph: Gabriel Bouys/AFP/Getty Images

One of which is for this man. This time last year, Christoph Waltz was best known as a mainstay of Germany's soap opera circuit. Today he is the favourite to win the best supporting actor award for his turn as the lip-smacking Nazi who outfoxes Brad Pitt
Photograph: Nina Prommer/EPA

Over in the best actor category, Jeff Bridges must fancy his chances for his turn as a broken-down old boozer in the country-western saga Crazy Heart. Insiders are saying that the Oscar is his for the taking
Photograph: Kyle Rover/Rex Features

If so, this spells bad news for his fellow nominees, including Colin Firth, who is surely in with a shout with his acclaimed performance in Tom Ford's A Single Man ...
Photograph: Steve Granitz/WireImage.com

... and Morgan Freeman, who impersonates Nelson Mandela in Clint Eastwood's Invictus. This, by the way, is not him in character
Photograph: Gabriel Bouys/AFP/Getty Images

And what of the actresses? Bookies' favourite this year seems to be Sandra Bullock, for her turn in The Blind Side
Photograph: Mario Anzuoni/Reuters

Only a fool, however, would bet against Meryl Streep. She picked up her 16th Oscar nomination for her performance in Julie & Julia. Academy voters, it's fair to say, love Meryl Streep
Photograph: Gabriel Bouys/AFP/Getty Images

But let us not discount the dark horses. Here are British actor Carey Mulligan and writer Nick Hornby, both of whom are nominated for their work on An Education. Hornby is the one on the right
Photograph: Nina Prommer/EPA

Other possible surprises could spring from the Precious camp. Director Lee Daniels gets the celebrations in early alongside his star, Gabourey Sidibe
Photograph: Mario Anzuoni/Reuters

Phew. Can we sit down and eat yet, or are there still more of these fabulously successful Hollywood types we still have to meet? It transpires that there are. It's Maggie Gyllenhaal (nominated for Crazy Heart) and husband Peter Saarsgard, who is not nominated for An Education. Does this mean he has to eat in the kitchen or something?
Photograph: Gabriel Bouys/AFP/Getty Images

And now blocking the way (and the sign) to the nominees' lunch stands Vera Farmiga, who is nominated for her turn in Up in the Air and wants to tell you all about it
Photograph: Mario Anzuoni/Reuters

The lunch is cold, the champagne has turned flat and there is still no obvious way to reach your table. But that's fine, because what gathering would be complete without Ivan and Jason Reitman, the father and son team behind Up in the Air?
Photograph: Nina Prommer/EPA