American Hustle Leads Early Predictions

Russell’s American Hustle Lead the Pack

Over at Gold Derby, predictions are already rolling in for next year’s Oscars, and David O. Russell’s American Hustle now appears to be the early favourite. His drama set in the 1970s stars Bradley Cooper, Jennifer Lawrence, Robert Di Niro, Christian Bale, and Amy Adams – all five won nominations for his previous two efforts Silver Linings Playbook and The Fighter. However it is Best Picture in which this film is currently expected to win, with August: Osage County in second place.

But Meryl Streep has an early lead over Oprah Winfrey for Supporting Actress, with many tipping the Oscar stalwart to win her fourth statue. The Weinsteins dropped her to Supporting in order to campaign co-star Julia Roberts as the lead, but it is Cate Blanchett who is currently favoured for her performance in Blue Jasmine. While Leonardo DiCaprio looks in good shape to compete for his first ever Oscar in about his millionth collaboration with Scorsese. The Wolf of Wall Street is a film many are watching and should also crop up in other big categories, while Tom Hanks is way out ahead to win Supporting Actor as Walt Disney in Saving Mr. Banks.

The two writing awards have been earmarked for American Hustle and August: Osage County and, unsurprisingly, David O. Russell is the favourite for Best Director. It is not often that Best Director and Best Film are split, but it has happened more in the last twenty years than previously, so though it is natural to give both awards to the same film this is by no means a given. And we must also remember the Oscars are still six and a half months away, so until the film’s come out our predictions and speculation are based on nothing but hearsay and hype.

But Gold Derby is always a great place to go for up to the minute insights on which films are hot (or not), and who is leading the popularity stakes. And as it stands right now, we could some very disappointed Weinsteins, and I wouldn’t like to be at that after party.