Wicked Leads SAG Awards Nominations Amidst Major Snubs!

The highly anticipated nominations for the 31st Screen Actors Guild Awards were announced, with the blockbuster musical *Wicked* really stealing the spotlight. With a staggering five nominations under its belt, including Best Ensemble and individual nods for stars Cynthia Erivo, Ariana Grande, and Jonathan Bailey, *Wicked* has solidified its place as a contender this awards season.

The initial plan to announce the nominations live was scrapped due to devastating wildfires raging through Los Angeles and Southern California, forcing the SAG to pivot to a press release format. This marked a notable departure from the usual live reveal, but it didn’t dampen the excitement surrounding *Wicked’s* nominations, especially as this event often hints at future Oscar prospects. Indeed, the SAG Awards have frequently been a reliable predictor of Oscar outcomes.

In addition to its ensemble nomination, *Wicked* also scored a nod for Best Stunt Ensemble. The film's arrival on the awards scene comes hot on the heels of its recognition at the National Board of Review Awards, where it received considerable acclaim in New York just the night before the SAG reveal.

Joining *Wicked* in the race for Best Ensemble are *Anora*, *Conclave*, *Emilia Perez*, and *A Complete Unknown*. The latter film made a strong showing overall, earning four nominations, including Best Male Actor for Timothée Chalamet and supporting nods for Edward Norton and Monica Barbaro.

In the highly competitive Best Male Lead category, standout nominees include Adrien Brody (*The Brutalist*), Daniel Craig (*Queer*), Colman Domingo (*Sing Sing*), Ralph Fiennes (*Conclave*), and Chalamet.

Demi Moore leads a strong group of contenders for Best Female Actor in a Leading Role with her performance in *The Substance*, competing against Erivo, breakout star Karla Sofía Gascon from *Emilia Perez*, Mikey Madison in *Anora*, and Pamela Anderson in *The Last Showgirl*.

SNUBBED STARS

Despite the excitement, several big names were notably absent from the nominee list. Angelina Jolie (*Maria*) and Nicole Kidman (*Babygirl*) were overlooked, along with critically acclaimed actresses Marianne Jean-Baptiste (*Hard Truths*) and *Golden Globe* winner Fernanda Torres (*I’m Still Here*).

*The Last Showgirl* experienced a rejuvenating moment with a surprise nomination for Jamie Lee Curtis in the Best Supporting Actress category, facing off against Barbaro, Grande, Danielle Deadwyler (*The Piano Lesson*), and Zoe Saldaña (*Emilia Perez*).

Jeremy Strong landed a nomination for his supporting turn as Roy Cohn in the Donald Trump film *The Apprentice*, but his co-star Sebastian Stan was notably snubbed in both *The Apprentice* and his celebrated role in *A Different Man*. Other nominees in the supporting male category include Bailey, Norton, Yura Borisov (*Anora*), and frontrunner Kieran Culkin (*A Real Pain*).

The absence of other anticipated performances, such as Denzel Washington (*Gladiator II*) and Guy Pearce (*The Brutalist*), further highlights the unpredictability of this year’s awards.

PREDICTIVE POWER OF THE SAGS

The SAG Awards have become a crucial barometer for the Oscars, quite often reflecting similar nominations. Historically, winners like *Oppenheimer*, *Everything Everywhere All At Once*, and *CODA* won Best Picture at the Academy Awards after their SAG success. It’s worth noting that out of the last three years, nearly all SAG winners have also triumphed at the Oscars, with the exception of Lily Gladstone last year.

Looking ahead, the Oscar landscape may closely mirror the SAG nominees, although a few missing performances might still find their way onto the Oscar list. With *The Brutalist*, despite its Golden Globe wins, lacking a SAG ensemble nomination, its Oscar chances look dim.

In tandem with the SAG nominations, the Directors Guild of America also announced their nominees, showcasing films like *Anora*, *Emilia Perez*, *Conclave*, *A Complete Unknown*, and *The Brutalist*, but leaving out *Wicked*’s director Jon M. Chu, much to the dismay of many fans.

SHOGUN CONTINUES TO DOMINATE

In the television realm, FX’s *Shogun* kept its winning streak alive with an impressive five nominations, including Best Ensemble and individual nods for Hiroyuki Sanada, Anna Sawai, and Tadanobu Asano. Other shows making waves include *The Bear*, with nominations for Jeremy Allen White, Ayo Edebiri, and Liza Colon-Zayas, *Hacks* star Jean Smart, and *The Diplomat* featuring Keri Russell and Allison Janney.

As the awards season heats up, all eyes are on the SAG Awards as they set the stage for what promises to be an electrifying Oscars race! Stay tuned, as the road to the Academy Awards has never been more thrilling!