Blanchett's Oscar buzz

After years of snubs and near misses, screen goddess Katharine Hepburn may finally help Cate Blanchett win that elusive Oscar.

Hollywood is buzzing about Blanchett's portrayal of Hepburn in the Martin Scorsese-directed The Aviator, a film about eccentric billionaire Howard Hughes.

It's the type of industry talk that can push the Australian actress all the way to the podium and a best supporting Oscar at February's 77th Academy Awards ceremony.

With Nicole Kidman's performance in Birth losing steam, and Naomi Watts' best Oscar chance to be released in the US in late December, Blanchett emerged as a top hope to claim an Academy Award.