Here’s what SAG wins could mean Oscar night
Chances are good that Larson, DiCaprio take home statues.
As soon this award season started to look predictable, here come the Screen Actors Guild Awards to keep pundits guessing a little while longer.
With only the Directors Guild Awards to come before voting begins for the Academy Awards Feb. 12, the SAG winners shored up some categories, while others became more of a wild card than ever.
Here’s what the SAGs portend for the Oscars Feb. 28: ‘SPOTLIGHT’ STILL HAS A CHANCE The critically acclaimed journalism drama was the best-picture front-runner before The Reve
nant and The Martian won the two big prizes at the Golden Globes and The Big Short became a favorite after winning top honors from the Producers Guild. In addition to a Critics’ Choice win, nabbing the outstanding-cast SAG honor helps Spotlight’s case, though winners in the category have snagged best picture only 10 out of 20 times. The good news? Birdman did it last year. BUT ‘THE BIG SHORT’ IS PROBABLY NOT SWEATING The PGA Award recently has been the best indicator of Oscar glory, with the last eight best-picture winners also taking home its top film prize. At this point, it looks as if Big Short and Spotlight are going neck-and-neck into the Oscars, with The Martian and
The Revenant hanging around as
dark horses. WELCOME TO THE ‘BRIE AND LEO’ SHOW After wins at the Golden Globes, Critics’ Choice Awards and now at SAGs, Room star Brie Larson and The Revenant’s Leonardo DiCaprio are prohibitive favorites to win best actress and best actor, barring some out-of-nowhere upset. More likely, it’s time for them to start clearing shelf space for new golden home décor. KATE WINSLET VS. ALICIA VIKANDER, ROUND 4 Vikander’s The Danish Girl role snagged her supporting-actress wins at the Critics’ Choice and SAG ceremonies, while Winslet garnered a Globe victory for Steve
Jobs. Vikander could have a bit of an edge heading into Oscar voting, though she and Winslet may split votes and allow Carol star Rooney Mara or The Hateful
Eight’s Jennifer Jason Leigh to sneak in and steal the category. SUPPORTING ACTOR GOES TO … WHO KNOWS? Sylvester Stallone gets snubbed by the SAGs, and then he wins a Golden Globe and garners an Oscar nod for Creed. Idris Elba gets snubbed by the academy, and then he wins a SAG actor trophy — one of two for the night — for Beasts of
No Nation. Ladies and gentlemen, here is your official Wildest Oscar Category of 2016. It’s anyone’s game, though Stallone, Mark Rylance ( Bridge of Spies) and Christian Bale ( The Big Short) are strong contenders. And that probably means Tom Hardy ( The Revenant) will win.