73rd Writers Guild of America Awards Nominations Announced

The Writers Guild of America has announced the nominations for the 73rd Writers Guild of America Awards. While these nominees are generally a solid indicator for the two Screenplay categories at the Academy Awards, only screenplays written under the WGA’s strict guidelines are eligible for their annual awards.

While Oscar heavyweights Nomadland, Minari, Mank, and The Father are expected to reap screenplay nominations from the Academy, they were all deemed ineligible by the WGA. Animated films are also not eligible, which ruled out Soul and possibly even Wolfwalkers. Failing to nab a WGA nomination due to ineligibility didn’t stop eventual Oscar screenplay winners like The Pianist, 12 Years a Slave, Django Unchained, and Birdman, so it’s hardly a death knell.

However, the surprising snubs of eligible films like Da 5 Bloods, First Cow, I’m Thinking of Ending Things, and Never Rarely Sometimes Always is a huge blow to their Oscar campaigns, particularly when something so left-field like The White Tiger snuck in. This continues a difficult run for Spike Lee, whose Da 5 Bloods screenplay was ignored by both the Golden Globes and the Critics Choice Awards. A nom from the WGA would have put his campaign back on track. Alas, it was not to be.

The inclusion of News of the World in the Adapted nominees is a major boost for its Oscar chances. I’ve long believed News of the World is going to be the under-the-radar contender that “overperforms” on Oscar nomination morning, and a WGA nom certainly suggests that could be a possibility. Likewise with Borat Subsequent Moviefilm. The Academy acknowledged its predecessor with a nomination. They could certainly do the same for its sequel.

Original Screenplay nominees Judas and the Black Messiah and Sound of Metal continue to pick up steam as the weeks roll along, and their acknowledgment by the WGA proves they’re both genuine Oscar contenders. The latter likely faces a tougher challenge to make it into the Academy’s top five, but never say never.

As for Promising Young Woman, The Trial of the Chicago 7, Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom, and One Night in Miami, you can essentially lock them in for Oscar nominations come March 15. Below are the full nominations for 2020. The winners will be announced on March 21.

ORIGINAL SCREENPLAY
Judas and the Black Messiah, Screenplay by Will Berson & Shaka King, Story by Will Berson & Shaka King and Kenny Lucas & Keith Lucas
Palm Springs, Screenplay by Andy Siara, Story by Andy Siara & Max Barbakow
Promising Young Woman, Written by Emerald Fennell
Sound of Metal, Screenplay by Darius Marder & Abraham Marder, Story by Darius Marder & Derek Cianfrance
The Trial of the Chicago 7, Written by Aaron Sorkin

ADAPTED SCREENPLAY
Borat Subsequent Moviefilm, Screenplay by Sacha Baron Cohen & Anthony Hines & Dan Swimer & Peter Baynham & Erica Rivinoja & Dan Mazer & Jena Friedman & Lee Kern, Story by Sacha Baron Cohen & Anthony Hines & Dan Swimer & Nina Pedrad, Based on Characters Created by Sacha Baron Cohen
Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom, Screenplay by Ruben Santiago-Hudson, Based on the Play Written by August Wilson
News of the World, Screenplay by Paul Greengrass and Luke Davies, Based upon the Novel by Paulette Jiles
One Night in Miami, Screenplay by Kemp Powers, Based on the Stage Play “One Night in Miami” by Kemp Powers
The White Tiger, Screenplay by Ramin Bahrani, Based on the Book “The White Tiger” by Aravind Adiga

DOCUMENTARY SCREENPLAY
All In: The Fight for Democracy, Written by Jack Youngelson
The Dissident, Written by Mark Monroe and Bryan Fogel
Herb Alpert Is…, Written by John Scheinfeld
Red Penguins, Written by Gabe Polsky
Totally Under Control, Written by Alex Gibney