In the latest development of Hollywood’s awards season, the Screen Actors Guild SAG Awards have set the stage for an electrifying contest, especially between the box office sensations “Barbie” and “Oppenheimer,” each securing four nominations. Termed “Barbenheimer” by fans and critics alike, this rivalry is heating the cinematic landscape, presenting a glimpse into potential Academy Awards outcomes.
“Barbie” and “Oppenheimer” are poised to compete for the prestigious SAG award for the best movie cast, alongside other notable films like “The Color Purple,” “Killers of the Flower Moon,” and “American Fiction.” These nominations hold significant weight as actors constitute the largest voting group for the Oscars, making the SAG Awards a critical predictor for the ultimate film industry accolades in March.
Christopher Nolan’s “Oppenheimer,” a gripping portrayal of the atomic bomb’s creation, is already riding high from its recent success at the Golden Globes, where it clinched five awards, including Best Movie Drama. However, “Poor Things,” another Globe winner for best movie musical or Comedy, was omitted from SAG’s cast category, though its stars Emma Stone and Willem Dafoe received nods for their performances.
In the best actress category, the competition intensifies with Emma Stone (“Poor Things”) facing off against “Barbie” lead Margot Robbie, Lily Gladstone (“Killers of the Flower Moon”), Annette Bening (“Nyad”), and Carey Mulligan (“Maestro”).
The best actor category sees Cillian Murphy, portraying J. Robert Oppenheimer, vying against Bradley Cooper (“Maestro“), Paul Giamatti (“The Holdovers”), Jeffrey Wright (“American Fiction”), and Colman Domingo (“Rustin”). Notably absent from this list is Leonardo DiCaprio of “Flower Moon.”
“Oppenheimer” also scored nominations for supporting roles by Robert Downey Jr. and Emily Blunt, while “Barbie” garnered additional recognition for Ryan Gosling’s portrayal of Ken and its stunt performers.
In television, “Succession” leads the nominations, reflecting its Golden Globe triumph for best TV drama. Other series like “Ted Lasso,” “The Bear,” and “The Last of Us” also emerged as strong contenders, each with four nominations.
The SAG Awards, to be held in Los Angeles on February 24 and streamed live on Netflix, will not only highlight this year’s cinematic excellence but also honor legendary artist Barbra Streisand with a lifetime achievement award.