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Vote: Which Oscar nominee would make the best American Ninja Warrior?

They can act. But can they Ninja?

By Nikki Lee
92nd Oscars Nominees Luncheon - Arrivals Photo by Kevin Winter/Getty Images

The 2020 Oscars will air this weekend, Sunday, February 9. With no American Ninja Warrior episodes on to see instead, sure, go ahead and tune in.

The Leading Role nominees are hotly debated each year. To be honest, I’ve seen three of the movies these actors were nominated for, so I’m not qualified to actually give an opinion on their performances.

But Ninja Warrior, that I can talk about! Both nominated groups contain impressive names of skilled thespians. That’s nice and all, but, can they Ninja?

Just for fun, let’s debate and vote on which actor in each of the two categories would make it the farthest on an American Ninja Warrior course. Who’s got the acting chops and the Ninja skills?

(Don’t see the polls below? Just share your thoughts in the comments section!)

Actress in a Leading Role

  • Cynthia Erivo, Harriet
  • Scarlett Johansson, Marriage Story
  • Saoirse Ronan, Little Women
  • Charlize Theron, Bombshell
  • Renée Zellweger, Judy

Scarlett Johansson has all that Marvel Universe, “Black Widow” training. Charlize Theron impressed people with her stunts in “Atomic Blonde” not too long ago, right? Saoirse Ronan always seems determined and resourceful to us. That could come in handy on the course. We doubt Renée Zellwger is a slouch in the gym either.

Then again, Cynthia Erivo can do THIS after not working out for “the last month or two.”

Poll

Which Oscar nominee would make it the farthest on American Ninja Warrior?

This poll is closed

  • 29%
    Cynthia Erivo
    (29 votes)
  • 54%
    Scarlett Johansson
    (54 votes)
  • 6%
    Saoirse Ronan
    (6 votes)
  • 5%
    Charlize Theron
    (5 votes)
  • 5%
    Renée Zellweger
    (5 votes)
99 votes total Vote Now

Actor in a Leading Role

  • Antonio Banderas, Pain and Glory
  • Leonardo DiCaprio, Once Upon a Time in Hollywood
  • Adam Driver, Marriage Story
  • Joaquin Phoenix, Joker
  • Jonathan Pryce, The Two Popes

Remember “The Mask of Zorro”? Antonio Banderas had to have lightning quick reflexes in that flick. That’s always helpful when it comes to obstacles. Adam Driver certainly honed his skills to play Kylo Ren in “Star Wars.” We have this weird feeling Leonardo DiCaprio would somehow just charm his way down the course. If Joaquin Phoenix was half as dedicated to training for Ninja Warrior as he was in preparing for “Joker,” he’d definitely have a chance.

Don’t count out Jonathan Pryce. When you’ve got as much experience committing to your craft as he does, there’s no role you can’t embody. We all know strategy is just as important as skill when it comes to Ninja!

EE British Academy Film Awards 2020 - Red Carpet Arrivals Photo by Gareth Cattermole/Getty Images

Poll

Which Oscar nominee would make it the farthest on American Ninja Warrior?

This poll is closed

  • 15%
    Antonio Banderas
    (15 votes)
  • 33%
    Leonardo DiCaprio
    (33 votes)
  • 37%
    Adam Driver
    (37 votes)
  • 12%
    Joaquin Phoenix
    (12 votes)
  • 3%
    Jonathan Pryce
    (3 votes)
100 votes total Vote Now

So, who you got? Who’d make the best American Ninja Warrior?

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