Folks, we’re almost to the point when the cards are on the table. There’s hardly little left to see, the precursors have barely begun, and it’s November. So, should we know more about the awards season? It appears that the season is in a constant state of stagnation here in 2024, right? When things change, they change rapidly, yet for the time being, anything is still conceivable. However, a new rival has emerged, threatening to upend the contest. What about the film? Wicked. Today, I’ll discuss the movie’s Oscar chances, which appear to be much higher than they were a few weeks ago.
Wicked is a high-profile Broadway adaption, directed by Jon M. Chu as a prequel to The Wizard of Oz. Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande star, and the supporting cast includes Jonathan Bailey, Ethan Slater, Bowen Yang, Marissa Bode, Peter Dinklage, Michelle Yeoh, and Jeff Goldblum.
For those who are uninformed, here is the plot synopsis:
Misunderstood because to her green skin, a young woman named Elphaba forms an odd but meaningful friendship with Glinda, a student with an unwavering desire for popularity. Following an encounter with the Wizard of Oz, their friendship comes to a crossroads as their lives diverge dramatically.
The picture was only recently released, and the early viewing were virtually entirely positive. Take those with a grain of salt, particularly these days. I saw Gladiator II a few weeks ago after the initial screening a few days before recommended an all-time classic. Of course, that was obvious hyperbole, but I ended up viewing a solid film that did not deserve the hype (though it is still deserving of praise). So, I’ll admit that I’m a little wary here, especially given how enthusiastic some people are over the original material.
If all goes well, the film might be a serious contender for Best Picture. Along with that, Best Director (Chu), Best Actress (Erivo), Best Supporting Actress (Grande), Best Adapted Screenplay, and a slew of technical categories might be in play. How do I believe it will perform? Well, I’ll find out more on Tuesday, when I watch Wicked for myself. On the one side, musicals have recently battled with the Academy. Oscar, on the other hand, truly appreciates it when it’s done well. If the rumours are true, this might be a huge hit with voters this holiday season.
After Wicked, it’ll simply be A Complete Unknown. That may still be a while off, so Wicked has some time to prepare. Anora, The Brutalist, Conclave, and Emilia Pérez appear to be the frontrunners for Best Picture, although another great contender could emerge. The field surely has room for more significant players, as aside from Dune: Part Two, there’s nothing that appears to be a lock to make the starting lineup.
Of course, my previous predictions article (found here) is still available for your review, and you can see some of the modifications I’ve made since the festival season. The next step for me is to see the remaining two. Then it will be prelude season before you realise it. Stay tuned for the actual movement.
As always, you can find my latest attempt at advance Oscar predictions right here on Awards Radar. The changes are coming, and will continue to come, as the autumn celebrations end and the first precursors begin. Stay tuned for additional updates once the season kicks off.
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