We’re nearly halfway through 2022, but if you’re thinking about best picture nominees, don’t bother.
Studios have for years held back on opening awards contenders until late in the year, hoping to have the bright shiny new object Academy members see just before voting. Right now, very few titles have an early best picture buzz.
TOP GUN: MAVERICK & ELVIS (pictured) both just had glitzy premieres at Cannes. MAVERICK got a great five-minute standing ovation and ELVIS’s 10 minutes of applause was the festival’s longest.
Both titles have what it takes to compete for BP, including lots of awards marketing money, but they also bring a lot of popcorn movie baggage. MAVERICK’s growing buzz that it’s Tom Cruise’s best work ever must offset its tentpole image. ELVIS must sing loudly at the boxoffice & with critics.
There’s also THE BATMAN, a global mega-hit with $770M+ that reportedly cost $200M. Mega-budgets & comic book roots are now mega-negatives with the Academy’s far-flung members when it comes to BP nods.
The indie action-comedy EVERYTHING EVERYWHERE ALL AT ONCE could land a BP nom. It’s a surprise hit with $76M+ globally, 95% fresh with RT critics & reportedly cost just $25M. There’s just one problem — Academy voters don’t usually embrace action or comedy for BP.