It's still very early to be predicting who could be taking home Academy Awards for this year. Many of the likely nominees for the biggest categories haven't even been released yet. But speculations have already been made for months. And as time has gone on, subjective as awards may be, some consistent names have shown up.

Lady Gaga is receiving much attention

Pop singer Lady Gaga, real name Stefani Germanotta, has been grabbing headlines for her acting prowess. She previously won a Golden Globe for her first major acting turn in "American Horror Story: Hotel".

The Irish Independent reports that she is a front-runner for a Best Actress Oscar nod. It would be for the new version of "A Star Is Born." The film is a contender for several other nominations, including Best Picture, Best Director and Best Actor for Bradley Cooper and Best Supporting Actor for Sam Elliott.

"First Man," the Neil Armstrong biopic, is likely to receive a number of nominations. The possibilities include Ryan Gosling as Armstrong and Claire Foy as his wife. Foy recently won an Emmy for playing Queen Elizabeth II in "The Crown." Foy's successor on the series, Olivia Colman, could be nominated for playing a different royal. In "The Favourite," Colman plays Queen Anne. Colman and her co-stars Emma Stone and Rachel Weisz are all potential nominees.

Another royal drama, "Mary Queen of Scots," is thought to be an early contender. It is based on the rivalry between cousins Queen Mary of Scotland and Queen Elizabeth I of England. Stars Saoirse Ronan and Margot Robbie could each be nominated.

"Can You Ever Forgive Me?" stars Melissa McCarthy as a real-life historian-turned-forger.

"Green Book" is based on the true story of a bouncer and black pianist traveling through the 1960s South. "Roma," directed by Alfonso Cuaron, documents the life of a Mexican family during the 1970s. "Widows" features a group of women plotting a heist after their husbands are killed. "If Beale Street Could Talk," tells the story of a woman trying to clear her wrongfully-convicted husband's name.

All of these films are considered strong contenders for many categories, including Best Picture.

Many performances have been praised

Cast members of many of the previously named films are likely to receive nods. Glenn Close has been nominated six times but has never won. Yahoo indicates that she is a contender for Best Actress for "The Wife." Former winners Nicole Kidman ("Destroyer"), Julia Roberts ("Ben Is Back"), and Charlize Theron ("Tully") could all be nominated again.

A possible Best Actor nominee is Willem Dafoe as Vincent Van Gogh in "At Eternity's Gate". Another is Steve Carell as a father trying to help his troubled son in "Beautiful Boy." Robert Redford, who recently announced his retirement, may get a nod for "The Old Man and the Gun".

Michelle Yeoh ("Crazy Rich Asians") and Timothee Chalamet ("Beautiful Boy") are among the names mentioned for the supporting categories.
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