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2018 Oscar Nominations: What to Expect 2018 Oscar Nominations: ‘The Shape of Water’ Leads With 13 Nominations
(about 4 hours later)
• The nominations for the 90th Academy Awards will be announced at 8:22 a.m. Tuesday. The Oscars will be handed out on March 4. • The nominations for the 90th Academy Awards were announced Tuesday. The Oscars will be handed out on March 4.
• “Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri” and “The Shape of Water” have won top honors at various awards shows, but no film has emerged as a clear Oscar favorite. • “The Shape of Water” received 13 nominations, including for best picture.
• Will the #MeToo movement affect the nominations? Could a nomination for James Franco cause backlash? • “Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri” and “Dunkirk” emerged as strong Oscar contenders.
• Netflix is hoping to snag its first best picture nomination courtesy of “Mudbound.” “The Shape of Water,” a low-budget fantasy about a mute janitor who falls in love with an imprisoned sea creature, became 2017’s most decorated film on Tuesday, receiving 13 nominations from Oscar voters, one fewer than the record for the most in Academy Awards history.
Campaigning for the 90th Academy Awards has been going on in Hollywood for five months, with films falling over themselves to claim the cultural zeitgeist. But the contentious revenge drama “Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri” also emerged as a very strong contender, receiving seven Oscar nominations, including one for best picture. “Dunkirk” received eight nominations, including best picture.
“Get Out” is about racism and cultural appropriation, the film’s get-out-the-vote team says, but also (in this #MeToo moment) about the abuse of power. “Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri” sees itself as the most topical — it’s got a woman demanding attention on a sexual predator, red state anger and commentary about racist policing. (It also has its detractors.) Others say the crown should go to “The Post,” with its depiction of a woman coming into her own as a leader and taking a stand against the kind of attacks on journalists that resonate today. And don’t forget “The Shape of Water,” about outcasts and monsters, or “Lady Bird,” with its nuanced mother-daughter relationship and self-confident central character. The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences allows the best picture category to have as many as 10 or as few as five nominees, depending on how the organization’s 8,400 members spread their support. (There were nine last year.) This time around nine movies were nominated. Rounding out the category were “Call Me by Your Name,” “Darkest Hour,” “Get Out,” “Lady Bird,” “Phantom Thread” and “The Post.”
But no contender has yet rallied unconditional support. Will one snare enough Oscar nominations to establish itself as the film to beat when the awards are handed out on March 4? Campaigning for the 90th Academy Awards has been going on in Hollywood for five months, with films falling over themselves to claim the cultural zeitgeist. “Get Out” is about racism and cultural appropriation, the film’s get-out-the-vote team says, but also (in this #MeToo moment) about the abuse of power. “Three Billboards,” which won the top prize at the Screen Actors Guild Awards on Sunday, sees itself as the most topical: it features a woman demanding attention be placed on a sexual predator, red state anger and commentary about racist policing. Others say the crown should go to “The Post,” with its depiction of a woman coming into her own as a leader and taking a stand against the kind of attacks on journalists that resonate today.
“Three Billboards” is in the best position. It won the top prize at the Screen Actors Guild Awards on Sunday. But “The Shape of Water” won the highest Producers Guild honor on Saturday, a recognition that often predicts the best picture winner at the Oscars. And don’t forget “Lady Bird,” with its nuanced mother-daughter relationship and self-confident central character.
The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences allows the best picture category to have as many as 10 or as few as five nominees, depending on how the organization’s 8,400 members spread their support. (There were nine last year.) All of the aforementioned films have a good shot to get in, along with “Dunkirk” and “Call Me by Your Name.” That’s seven. Prognosticators see “I, Tonya,” “The Florida Project,” “Darkest Hour,” “Mudbound” and “The Big Sick” as fighting for the remaining slots. The nominations meant the end of the road for hopefuls like “Detroit,” “All the Money in the World,” “Wind River” and “Wonder Woman,” all of which campaigned for votes. (They can always hope for an envelope mix-up.)
That likely means the end of the road for hopefuls like “All the Money in the World,” “Wind River” and “Wonder Woman.” (They can always hope for an envelope mix-up.) Frances McDormand, a four-time nominee and a winner for “Fargo” in 1997, was nominated for her lead performance in “Three Billboards.” She has already won Golden Globe and Screen Actors Guild trophies for the role. Joining her were Saoirse Ronan for “Lady Bird,” Sally Hawkins for “The Shape of Water,” Margot Robbie (“I, Tonya”) and Meryl Streep (“The Post”).
Expect a best actress nomination for Frances McDormand, a four-time nominee and a winner for “Fargo” in 1997. She has won Golden Globe and Screen Actors Guild trophies for her lead performance in “Three Billboards.” Joining her will undoubtedly be Saoirse Ronan for “Lady Bird” and Sally Hawkins for “The Shape of Water.” Gary Oldman’s performance as Winston Churchill in “Darkest Hour” landed him a best actor nod. He was joined in the category by Timothée Chalamet (“Call Me by Your Name”), Daniel Kaluuya (“Get Out”), Daniel Day-Lewis (“Phantom Thread”) and Denzel Washington (“Roman J. Israel, Esq.”). James Franco (“The Disaster Artist”) was notably left out. Mr. Franco’s inclusion would have put the academy in an uncomfortable spot; at least five women have accused him of inappropriate or sexually exploitative behavior, allegations his lawyer has disputed. Representatives for Mr. Franco have referred reporters to his statements on late-night shows.
Gary Oldman’s performance as Winston Churchill in “Darkest Hour” will almost assuredly land him a best actor nod. Hollywood will be shocked if Timothée Chalamet (“Call Me by Your Name”) and James Franco (“The Disaster Artist”) fail to join him in the best actor category. Mr. Franco’s inclusion, however, would put the academy in an uncomfortable spot; at least five women have accused him of inappropriate or sexually exploitative behavior, allegations his lawyer has disputed. Representatives for Mr. Franco have referred reporters to his statements on late-night shows.
Many academy voters have long insisted that art should be separated from the artist — that the Oscars should be about assessing the caliber of work and that concerns about offscreen behavior should be cleaved away. Just last year, voters overlooked Casey Affleck’s past settlements with women who accused him of sexual harassment to name him best actor.Many academy voters have long insisted that art should be separated from the artist — that the Oscars should be about assessing the caliber of work and that concerns about offscreen behavior should be cleaved away. Just last year, voters overlooked Casey Affleck’s past settlements with women who accused him of sexual harassment to name him best actor.
But that stance has been harder to maintain as women have come forward in recent months to accuse men like Harvey Weinstein, Brett Ratner and James Toback of sexual misconduct. Many of these men — Mr. Weinstein, most notably — used the Oscars as a shield. The academy kicked him out in October.But that stance has been harder to maintain as women have come forward in recent months to accuse men like Harvey Weinstein, Brett Ratner and James Toback of sexual misconduct. Many of these men — Mr. Weinstein, most notably — used the Oscars as a shield. The academy kicked him out in October.
What kind of impact could the #MeToo movement and the Time’s Up initiative have on the nominations? Mr. Franco is one person to watch, as is Meryl Streep, who plays the newspaper publisher Katharine Graham in “The Post.” Ms. Streep has been criticized in some quarters for her assertion that she hadn’t known about allegations involving Mr. Weinstein. If voters snub “The Florida Project” it could be because of harassment claims against one of that film’s producers, Andrew Duncan, who stepped down from his independent production company in December while denying wrongdoing.
In wake of the #OscarsSoWhite backlash in 2015 and 2016, the academy mounted an effort to double female and minority membership. But even after two years of the initiative, the academy remains 72 percent male and 87 percent white.In wake of the #OscarsSoWhite backlash in 2015 and 2016, the academy mounted an effort to double female and minority membership. But even after two years of the initiative, the academy remains 72 percent male and 87 percent white.
Snubs, perceived or real, for “The Big Sick” and “Get Out,” each centered on an interracial couple, could prompt pushback, as could the exclusion of “Mudbound,” a Netflix movie about black and white farmers in rural Mississippi in the 1940s. Minority actors vying for nominations include Daniel Kaluuya (“Get Out”), Hong Chau (“Downsizing”), Mary J. Blige (“Mudbound”) and Octavia Spencer (“The Shape of Water”). There are no Hispanic contenders. “Get Out,” centered on an interracial couple, received four nominations, including for best picture and best actor. Actors of color who received nominations included Mr. Kaluuya, Mr. Washington, Mary J. Blige (“Mudbound”) and Octavia Spencer (“The Shape of Water”).
Perhaps to make up for that absence, the academy invited four Latina actresses — Michelle Rodriguez, Salma Hayek, Zoe Saldana and Rosario Dawson — to help announce the nominees on Tuesday morning. Also invited to participate were six other women (Michelle Yeoh, Molly Shannon, Priyanka Chopra, Rebel Wilson, Gal Gadot, Tiffany Haddish) and one man (Andy Serkis). Hollywood’s best shot at showing that it is serious about inviting more women and people of color into its rarefied top ranks may come from the directing category. Greta Gerwig, who directed and wrote “Lady Bird,” and Jordan Peele, the African-American director and writer behind “Get Out,” were each recognized in the director and original screenplay categories.
Hollywood’s best shot at showing that it is serious about inviting more women and people of color into its rarefied top ranks may come from the directing category. In particular, pundits will be watching to see if two filmmakers — Greta Gerwig, who directed and wrote “Lady Bird,” and Jordan Peele, the African-American director and writer behind “Get Out” — receive directing (and screenwriting) nominations. The Mexican director Guillermo del Toro snagged a nomination for willing “The Shape of Water” into existence; he won at the Golden Globes. Paul Thomas Anderson (“Phantom Thread”) and Christopher Nolan (“Dunkirk”) were also nominated.
The Mexican director Guillermo del Toro is almost guaranteed a slot for willing “The Shape of Water” into existence; he won at the Golden Globes. Most prognosticators assign the fifth nomination to Martin McDonagh (“Three Billboards”), which would squeeze out Steven Spielberg (“The Post”).
The academy’s old guard has resisted a push by Netflix to join the best picture club, arguing that, since Netflix only gives its films token releases in theaters, its offerings should be better considered by Emmy voters. Netflix has doggedly campaigned for Oscars, though, and last year won the documentary short prize for “The White Helmets.”The academy’s old guard has resisted a push by Netflix to join the best picture club, arguing that, since Netflix only gives its films token releases in theaters, its offerings should be better considered by Emmy voters. Netflix has doggedly campaigned for Oscars, though, and last year won the documentary short prize for “The White Helmets.”
This year, Netflix is hoping for its first best picture nomination for “Mudbound,” which could also receive attention in the supporting actress and adapted screenplay categories. Netflix also has two documentaries vying for nominations: “Icarus,” about Russian doping in sports; and “Strong Island,” about the 1992 murder of a young black man. This year, Netflix is hoping for its first best picture nomination for “Mudbound.” That didn’t happen, but the film received attention in the cinematography, adapted screenplay and original song categories, in addition to Ms. Blige’s nomination. Netflix also has two documentaries vying for the Oscar: “Icarus,” about Russian doping in sports, and “Strong Island,” about the 1992 murder of a young black man.
For its part, Amazon has aggressively pushed “The Big Sick” as a best picture contender, despite the academy’s aversion to comedies. But Amazon is already ahead of Netflix in its campaign to be taken seriously by the film establishment. Amazon, which has allowed its films to play extensively in theaters before appearing online, won three Oscars last year. Two were for “Manchester by the Sea” and one for “The Salesman,” a foreign film. For its part, Amazon has aggressively pushed “The Big Sick,” nominated for best original screenplay, as a best picture contender, despite the academy’s aversion to comedies. But Amazon is already ahead of Netflix in its campaign to be taken seriously by the film establishment. Amazon, which has allowed its films to play extensively in theaters before appearing online, won three Oscars last year. Two were for “Manchester by the Sea” and one for “The Salesman,” a foreign film.