The Oscars race is heating up as the highly anticipated nominations are set to be announced later today. With a diverse array of acclaimed films and performances in contention, movie enthusiasts are eagerly awaiting to see which stars and productions will make the cut.
One of the frontrunners is the politically-charged thriller “One Battle After Another,” starring the ever-impressive Leonardo DiCaprio. The film, directed by Paul Thomas Anderson, has been tipped to lead the pack with multiple nominations, including potential nods for DiCaprio, Teyana Taylor, Chase Infiniti, Sean Penn, and Benicio Del Toro.
In the best actor category, DiCaprio faces stiff competition from the likes of Timothée Chalamet for “Marty Supreme,” Michael B. Jordan for “Sinner,” Ethan Hawke for “Blue Moon,” and Jesse Plemons for “Bugonia.” However, some big-name Hollywood stars, such as Julia Roberts, George Clooney, Dwayne Johnson, Jennifer Lawrence, and Sydney Sweeney, may miss out on nominations this year.
The British talent pool is not as strong this year, with only Wunmi Mosaku for “Sinner” considered a potential nominee. Irish actors Jessie Buckley and Paul Mescal, on the other hand, are expected to be recognised for their roles in the screen adaptation of Maggie O’Farrell’s novel “Hamnet.”
Elsewhere, the Academy is introducing a new category for best casting, reflecting the crucial role that the selection and pairing of actors can play in the success of a film. This move, along with the planned introduction of a best stunt design category in 2028, highlights the evolving nature of the Oscars in recognising the diverse contributions to the art of filmmaking.
One of the biggest box office hits of the year, the Netflix animated film “KPop Demon Hunters,” is the frontrunner for the best animated feature award, potentially overshadowing the sequel “Zootopia 2.”
As the industry eagerly awaits the unveiling of the nominees, all eyes will be on the Academy’s efforts to ensure that its voters have actually watched the films in contention, a move aimed at improving the integrity of the prestigious awards.
