Happy Oscar Noms Day to all the nominees! And to all the bitterly disappointed Almost Nominees! Here are the most notable inclusions and omissions among this year’s crop.
See the full list of Oscar nominations here.
Surprise: “I’m Still Here”
The Brazilian drama by director Walter Salles (“Central Station”) deservedly popped up in the Best Picture category, after already scoring noms for Best International Film and Best Actress (Fernanda Torres). Most experts were expecting its Best Picture slot to go to “Sing Sing,” “A Real Pain” or “September 5.”
Snub: Margaret Qualley
The bold and very game actress from “The Substance” could not quite ride that film’s coattails all the way to nomination morning, missing out on a Supporting Actress nod.
Surprise: Sebastian Stan
The actor had been in the awards conversation all season — in fact, he won the Golden Globe earlier this month for another lead performance, in “A Different Man.” His role as pre-president Donald Trump in “The Apprentice” was tarred as too controversial, yet it scored with the Academy, edging out SAG nominee Daniel Craig for “Queer.”
Snub: Daniel Craig
And speaking of Daniel Craig. Though nominated for both the Golden Globe and SAG Award, the former 007 was left out of the Academy’s Best Actor lineup for his vulnerable, heartbroken role as a gay man wandering through Mexico City in “Queer.”
Snub: “Wicked” for Best Adapted Screenplay
The juggernaut Broadway adaptation scored 10 nominations, but unexpectedly did not receive a nod for its screenplay by Winnie Holzman and Dana Fox, sometimes considered a necessity in order to win Best Picture.
Snub: Edward Berger
The director of “Conclave,” and an Oscar recipient two years ago for “All Quiet on the Western Front,” didn’t match his Golden Globe and Directors Guild nominations with a spot in the Best Director category.
Snub: Denzel Washington
The beloved legend and Academy favorite – he’s been nominated nine times for acting – didn’t make the cut this time for his devious, charming role in Ridley Scott’s sequel “Gladiator II.”
Snub: “Challengers”
The Italian director Luca Guadagnino impressed with two movies in 2024: both the aforementioned “Queer” and the hit tennis-circuit love-triangle “Challengers,” which some had expected to inch into the Best Score, Best Song or Best Film Editing categories.
Snub: Marianne Jean-Baptiste, Angelina Jolie, Nicole Kidman, Pamela Anderson, Zendaya, Tilda Swinton, June Squibb
The Best Actress race was so packed in 2024 that any of these exceptional, brave, gutsy, complex performances could have easily made the final five in another year.
Snub: “Will and Harper”
The Academy’s Documentary branch continued its recent tradition of preferring very good international features about social issues, but snubbing features considered too mainstream, such as this road movie about Will Ferrell and his friendship with Harper Steele.
The post 10 Biggest Oscar Snubs and Surprises: From Sebastian Stan to ‘Challengers’ to ‘I’m Still Here’ appeared first on TheWrap.
