We’re likely headed for a precursor season where Ludwig Göransson (Oppenheimer) and the late Robbie Robertson (Killers of the Flower Moon) battle it out to become the frontrunner for the Oscar for Best Original Score. While Göransson is a previous Oscar winner and Oppenheimer might end up sweeping, Robertson is a formidable competitor, particularly after his passing in August and this standing as his final work.
For what it’s worth, Robertson was the victor at the Hollywood Music in Media Awards where he faced off against Göransson for the first time. Then again, it’s not the most reliable predictor for the Oscar race, so don’t read too much into it just yet. Consider them both locks for nominations and the unveiling of the Oscars shortlist on December 21 will give us a better indication as to which three composers may join them.
BEST ORIGINAL SCORE PREDICTIONS:
1. Oppenheimer – Ludwig Göransson (Universal Pictures)
2. Killers of the Flower Moon – Robbie Robertson (Paramount Pictures / Apple Original Films)
3. Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse – Daniel Pemberton (Sony Pictures)
4. Poor Things – Jerkin Hendrix (Searchlight Pictures)
5. The Zone of Interest – Mica Levi (A24)
IN CONTENTION
Asteroid City – Alexandre Desplat (Focus Features)
Barbie – Mark Ronson and Andrew Wyatt (Warner Bros.)
The Boy and the Heron – Joe Hisaishi (GKIDS)
The Color Purple – Kris Bowers (Warner Bros.)
Elemental – Thomas Newman (Disney)
Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny – John Williams (Walt Disney)
Past Lives – Christopher Bear and Daniel Rosen (A24)
The Society of the Snow – Michael Giacchino (Netflix)
Wish – David Metzger (Disney)
Wonka – Joby Talbot (Warner Bros)
