Wicked may have been 2024's musical juggernaut film, but it seems the controversial musical Emilia Pérez may wind up being this award season's darling.
Nominations for the British Academy Film Awards (BAFTA) were released January 15, and Wicked is notably absent from the Best Film category, while Pérez is one of the most nominated films of the year, including Best Film.
In all, Pérez picked up 11 nominations, including Film Not in The English Language, Director for Jacques Audiard, Adapted Screenplay for Audiard, Leading Actress for Karla Sofía Gascón, Supporting Actress for Selena Gomez and Zoe Saldaña, Cinematography, Editing, Makeup and Hair, and Original Score, in addition to the Best Film slot.
Not to fear, however, dear Ozians: Wicked wasn't left totally empty handed. The film brought in seven nominations, including a Leading Actress nod for Cynthia Erivo, a Supporting Actress nod for Ariana Grande, and Costume Design, Makeup and Hair, Production Design, Sound Design, and Special Visual Effects nods.
Other notable nominations connected to the theatresphere include a quintuple header in the Lead Actor category, with four Broadway alums facing off: Timothée Chalamet for A Complete Unknown, Colman Domingo for Sing Sing, Ralph Fiennes for Conclave, and Sebastian Stan for The Apprentice.
Tony winner Jeremy Strong brought in a Supporting Actor nomination for his work in The Apprentice, Saoirse Ronan took in a Leading Actress nomination for The Outrun, and Kieran Culkin, soon to return to Broadway in Glengarry Glen Ross, received a Supporting Actor nomination for his performance in A Real Pain.
Sing Sing, the film based on the revolutionarily theatrical rehabilitation program at the high security prison, took in 2 nominations in addition to Domingo's: Clarence Maclin received a Supporting Actor nod, and the film received an Adapted Screenplay nomination.
Lastly, Denzel Washington, soon to return to Broadway in Othello, has remained snubbed by the BAFTA committee. While Washington has received two Academy Awards, two Golden Globe Awards, a Screen Actors Guild Award, and a Tony Award as well as nominations for a Grammy Award and two Primetime Emmy Awards, he has never been nominated for a BAFTA, and his performance in 2024's Gladiator 2 did not break the spell. At least he has the auxiliary 2007 BAFTA Los Angeles Britannia Award honoree spot to fill its rightful spot on his mantle.
To see the full list of BAFTA nominees, visit BAFTA.org.