The Oscar nominations are Thursday. Here's what to look for

In the context of Devastating wildfires in Los Angeles which touched the heart of the film industry, for nominations 97th Academy Awards Going ahead Thursday morning after a couple of delays.

The Academy of Motion Pictures Arts and Sciences will announce the nominations Thursday at 8:30 a.m. ET through a wide array of platforms, including Oscar.com, Oscars.org, the Academy’s social network sites, ABC’s “Good Morning America “. Like on Disney+ and Hulu. Bowen Yang and Rachel Sinnott will read the nominations.

The Oscar nominations were originally scheduled for January 17. But after wildfires raged through Pacific Palisades, Altadena and other areas around Los Angeles on Jan. 7, leaving behind historic devastation, the academy extended its voting window and was twice postponed. Announcement of nominations

Many in the film industry are under fire, with some calling for the Academy to cancel the Oscars altogether. Academy leaders have argued that the March 2 ceremony should go ahead as a symbol of their economic impact on Los Angeles and resilience for the industry. Organizers have vowed that this year’s awards will “celebrate the work that unites us as a global film community and recognize those who have fought so bravely against wildfires.”

“We will reflect on recent events while highlighting the strength, creativity and optimism that Los Angeles and our industry share,” Academy Chief Executive Bill Cramer and President Janet Yang said in an email to members Wednesday. Appreciates.”

But Hollywood’s awards season has been mostly business as usual. Serious difficulties due to firewhich keep burning. The Film Academy has canceled its annual nominees luncheon. Other events have been postponed or cancelled. On Wednesday, Kramer and Yang said the original song nominees would not be performing this year. Conan O’Brienwhose Pacific Palisades home was spared from the fire, is hosting.

Here are some things to watch for on Thursday:

How wide open is it?

Usually by this point, one or two films have emerged as clear favorites for Best Picture. Not so this year. Four films have been nominated for the top award by Producer GuildDirectors Guild and Screen Actors Guild: “Anora,” “Conclave,” “Emilia Perez” and “A Complete Unknown.”

He is likely to join Golden Globe winner “The Brutalist,” musical blockbuster “Wicked” and sci-fi sequel “Deon: Part Two” on Thursday. Among the 10 films in the category, that leaves the expected slots for “A Real Pain” and “The Substance.” The last spot could go to the prison drama “Sing Sing,” the journalism drama “September 5” or the POV shot “Knuckle Boys.”

Of all of them, Netflix contender “Emilia Pérez” could get the most nominations, and, possibly, set a new high mark for non-English-language films.

Who is left in the best actress?

As is often the case, Best Actress is highly competitive. Most prognosticators expect nominations for Demi Moore (“The Substance”), Cynthia Erivo (“Wicked”), Mikey Madison (“Anora”) and Karla Sofía Gascón (“Emilia Pérez”). Whoever gets fifth place could go to Fernanda Torres (“I’m Still Here”), Marianne Jean-Baptiste (“Hard Truths”) or Pamela Anderson (“The Last Showgirl”). And that still leaves Nicole Kidman (“Baby Girl”) and Angelina Jolie (“Maria”).

Who can make history?

Gascón, the star of Jacques Audiard’s “Emilia Pérez,” is set to become the first openly transgender actor to be nominated for an Oscar. Gascón, who plays a male drug lord in the film, and the woman he impersonates, both speak passionately and earnestly. About the possibility of making Oscar history Trans rights are at risk at the same time.

“If it happens, I’ll be very grateful,” Gascon said last fall. “It would be a beautiful thing. But if it doesn’t happen, whatever. I’ll go back to my old life. I’ll do my grocery shopping. I’ll play with the cats. I’ll see my family. Hoo I may do other jobs and people will like those jobs.

With Trump now in office, will ‘The Apprentice’ be nominated?

One of the most daring films of 2024, “The Apprentice,” dramatized the early years of President Donald Trump’ Appearances in New York Real Estate sponsored by attorney Roy Cohen. Both Sebastian Stan (who plays Trump) and Jeremy Strong (Cohen) are borderline contenders for Best Actor and Best Supporting Actor, respectively. Trump has called the people involved in the film “human scum”.

Will the best directors be men again?

For most of the Oscars’ history, the Best Director category has been all-male. This has changed somewhat in recent years, with wins Jane Campion (“The Power of the Dog”) and Let’s cry (“Nomadland”). But this year sees another all-male ensemble of Audiard (“Emilia Perez”), Sean Baker (“Anora”), Edward Berger (“Conclave”), Brady Corbett (“The Brutalist”) and James Mangold (“One Whole”). may. unknown”).

There are two possible female contenders. Payal Kapadia (“We perceive all as light”) and Corelli Forget (the “Substance”). Also in the mix is a pair of big-budget filmmakers. June M. Cho (“wicked”) and Denis Villeneuve (“Devon: Part Two”).