Director Alejandro G. Iñárritu, who won the best directing Oscar last year for “Birdman” (also named best picture), is a front-runner for the same prize this year after taking home the Golden Globe last Sunday.
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Lenny Abrahamson (“Room”) comes in at 2-1, followed by Tom McCarthy (“Spotlight“) at 3-1, Adam McKay (“The Big Short”) at 5-1, and George Miller (“Mad Max: Fury Road“), at a somewhat surprising 7-1.
The Oscars, chosen by the 6,000 members of the Academy of Motion Pictures Arts and Sciences, can have up to 10 best picture nominees, but voters selected just eight. The behind-the-camera talent of “The Revenant” get Oscars. Other nominees were: The Big Short; Bridge of Spies; Brooklyn; Mad Max; The Martian; Room and Spotlight.
Ridley Scott’s sci-fi epic “The Martian” landed seven nominations, including best picture, but no best director nod for Scott.
Previous Oscar winners Cate Blanchett and Jennifer Lawrence returned to the best actress race, which has no obvious front-runners.
Best Actor nominees included DiCaprio, Bryan Cranston, Matt Damon, Michael Fassbender and Eddie Redmayne.
As will Jennifer Jason Leigh, Rooney Mara, Rachel McAdams, Alicia Vikander and Kate Winslet for Best Actress in a Supporting Role.
Although, Indian film “Court” couldn’t make it to the Best Foreign Language Film category, the movies which are contending in the top five include “Son of Saul”, “Mustang”, “A War”, “Embrace of the Serpent” and “Theeb”.
He arrived in the United Kingdom earlier this week though in anticipation for the European unveiling of his Oscar-nominated film, held in Leicester Square.
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Academy president Cheryl Boone Isaacs has since redoubled efforts to diversify the academy’s membership, and slated Chris Rock to host this year’s February 28 ceremony.
