The Screen Actors Guild is a good prognosticator for the Oscars. The voting body of the SAG is very similar to the one which chooses the acting categories within the Academy. With all that being said, a few surprises emerged from today’s announcement of the nominees for the 26th SAG Awards. First things first, the big winners for Best Ensemble cast were “The Irishman,” “Once Upon A Time in Hollywood, “Jojo Rabbit,” and “Bombshell.” These are movies that will now be considered as frontrunners to compete for Best Picture as they officially have the support of the industry’s vast acting voting body.
“Bombshell” seems to have struck a chord with industry voters as it not only garnered an Ensemble cast nod, but its three lead actress all got nominated: Nicole Kidman, Charlize Theron, and Margot Robbie. The Roger Ailes biopic is being released this coming Friday.
However, SAG didn’t connect with the lead performance of the current Best Picture front runner, a film that’s 3 1/2 hours long, and in which a seven-time Oscar nominee is in practically every scene? You don’t need to guess, but Robert De Niro’s performance in “The Irishman,” which was supposed to be a lock for a Best Actor nomination, was snubbed by SAG. De Niro’s work in “The Irishman” is subdued and subtle and could have easily been regarded as less-than-exceptional by some SAG voters, but it’s inconceivable to think that the Academy would also snub De Niro’s incredible performance as well.
Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Leading Role
CHRISTIAN BALE / Ken Miles – “FORD v FERRARI”
LEONARDO DiCAPRIO / Rick Dalton — “ONCE UPON A TIME… IN HOLLYWOOD”
ADAM DRIVER / Charlie Barber – “MARRIAGE STORY”
TARON EGERTON / Elton John – “ROCKETMAN”
JOAQUIN PHOENIX / Arthur Fleck – “JOKER”
Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Leading Role
CYNTHIA ERIVO / Harriet/Minty – “HARRIET”
SCARLETT JOHANSSON / Nicole Barber – “MARRIAGE STORY”
LUPITA NYONG’O / Adelaide Wilson/Red – “US”
CHARLIZE THERON / Megyn Kelly – “BOMBSHELL”
RENÉE ZELLWEGER / Judy Garland – “JUDY”
Snubs: Saoirse Ronan (“Little Women”) Awakwfina (“The Farewell”)
Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Supporting Role
JAMIE FOXX / Walter McMillian – “JUST MERCY”
TOM HANKS / Fred Rogers – “A BEAUTIFUL DAY IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD”
AL PACINO / Jimmy Hoffa – “THE IRISHMAN”
JOE PESCI / Russell Bufalino – “THE IRISHMAN”
BRAD PITT / Cliff Booth – “ONCE UPON A TIME… IN HOLLYWOOD
Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Supporting Role
LAURA DERN / Nora Fanshaw – “MARRIAGE STORY”
SCARLETT JOHANSSON / Rosie – “JOJO RABBIT
NICOLE KIDMAN / Gretchen Carlson – “BOMBSHELL”
JENNIFER LOPEZ / Ramona – “HUSTLERS”
MARGOT ROBBIE / Kayla Pospisil – “BOMBSHELL”