The anticipation surrounding the Academy Awards is reaching a fever pitch as the Oscar nominations are set to be announced later today. This year’s awards season is particularly exhilarating because there is no clear frontrunner for the coveted Best Picture category. Blockbusters such as **Wicked** and **Dune: Part Two** are vying for recognition against a range of intriguing indie films including **Emilia Pérez**, **Conclave**, **A Complete Unknown**, **The Brutalist**, and **Anora**. The nominations will be unveiled at 13:30 GMT.
Originally scheduled for last week, the nomination announcement was postponed due to the extension of the voting period, affected by the wildfires in Los Angeles. The ceremony honoring the nominees will unfold on March 2, with U.S. comedian **Conan O’Brien** set to host, promising a night filled with glitz and glamour.
With the nominations, audiences can expect a unique blend of established stars and fresh faces. This year’s film landscape features two significant musicals, several major pop star turns, and the presence of actors connected to the acclaimed series **Succession**. All these elements enhance the narrative complexity of this year’s awards, including the notable rise of comeback queens in the film industry.
Among the standout narratives this year are notable entries in the Best Actress category like **Demi Moore**, who plays the lead in **The Substance**, a story centered around a woman who trades her body for a younger one. The affection for **Pamela Anderson** is growing, particularly for her poignant portrayal in **The Last Showgirl**, where she depicts an aging Las Vegas performer, already garnering nominations from the SAG and Golden Globes. **Marianne Jean-Baptiste** is also in contention with her role in Mike Leigh’s **Hard Truths**, marking a significant moment nearly 30 years after her first Oscar nomination.
The Best Actor category also showcases exciting contenders, including **Adrien Brody**, returning with **The Brutalist** after a long hiatus since his last nomination for **The Pianist** in 2003. Notable mentions also include **Timothée Chalamet** for his portrayal of **Bob Dylan** in **A Complete Unknown**, and **Colman Domingo** for his emotional role in **Sing Sing**. Additionally, **Sebastian Stan** is a dual threat this year with performances in both **The Apprentice**, playing a young **Donald Trump**, and in **A Different Man** as an aspiring actor undergoing a physical transformation.
Pop stars are making a considerable impact this year, particularly with **Ariana Grande** in **Wicked** as Glinda, and **Selena Gomez** in **Emilia Pérez**. **Gomez** plays the wife of a Mexican drug lord undergoing a gender transformation, marking a significant milestone as she potentially moves towards Oscar recognition. However, the competition is fierce with other actresses such as **Zoe Saldaña**, who is perceived as a frontrunner in the Best Supporting Actress category due to her strong performances in successful franchises.
The outstanding achievements in the **Succession** cast stand out particularly in the Best Supporting Actor category where **Kieran Culkin**, known for his wicked portrayal of Roman Roy, is expected to earn a nomination for **A Real Pain**, alongside his co-star **Jeremy Strong**, who is receiving acclaim for his performance in **The Apprentice** as lawyer **Roy Cohn**. Their shared screen presence has led to speculation about the category being particularly competitive.
As the nominations approach, discussions around the likely picks continue, especially in terms of which films fit within the parameters of Academy voters’ preferences. The Best Picture category remains particularly challenging to parse this year due to the varied success of films at pre-Oscars festivals and praise from critics across different events. Films like **The Brutalist**, **Emilia Pérez**, **Conclave**, and others will likely benefit from the preferential voting system, which encourages a broader selection of winners.
Watchers of the Oscar nominations can tune in live at 13:30 GMT on the BBC News live page, Academy’s website, and social media channels as the excitement unfolds. This year’s array of films signals an engaging battle for honors, as genre diversity meets the rich tapestry of storytelling.
