‘Wicked’ Tops SAG Awards Nominations

 "Wicked" had a difficult night at the Golden Globes, only winning the award for cinematic and box office achievement.

‘Wicked’ Leads SAG Awards Nominations as ‘The Brutalist’ and Angelina Jolie Fall Short

The highly anticipated Screen Actors Guild (SAG) Awards nominations were announced on Wednesday, with the film adaptation of the Broadway hit “Wicked” emerging as the frontrunner. The musical secured five nominations, including the coveted Outstanding Performance by a Cast award, along with nods for lead actress, supporting actor and actress, and stunt ensemble.

In contrast, “The Brutalist,” which dominated the Golden Globes, received just one nomination, and Angelina Jolie was notably absent from the nominees for her role in “Maria.”

Top Contenders for SAG Awards

Following “Wicked,” the Bob Dylan biopic “A Complete Unknown” earned four nominations, while “Emilia Perez,” a standout at the Golden Globes, received three. Also receiving three nominations were “Anora,” a Cannes favorite, and the papal thriller “Conclave.”

These five films will compete for the prestigious Outstanding Cast in a Motion Picture award. However, “The Brutalist” failed to make the list, only securing a nomination for Adrien Brody, who recently won a Golden Globe for his performance.

Why SAG Nominations Matter for the Oscars

The SAG Awards are decided by Hollywood actors, a group that represents the largest voting bloc in the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, which determines the Oscars. Because of this, the SAG winners often provide a strong indication of who might triumph on Oscar night.

Jolie’s omission from the SAG nominations for her portrayal of opera legend Maria Callas in “Maria” could signal trouble for her Academy Awards campaign.

Lead Acting Categories: Erivo, Moore, Brody, and Chalamet Among Nominees

For Lead Actress, Cynthia Erivo (“Wicked”) will go head-to-head with:

• Demi Moore (“The Substance”), the Golden Globe winner

• Pamela Anderson (“The Last Showgirl”)

• Karla Sofia Gascon (“Emilia Perez”)

• Mikey Madison (“Anora”)

Noticeably absent from this category were Nicole Kidman (“Babygirl”) and Fernanda Torres (“I’m Still Here”), both of whom had been widely praised for their performances.

In the Lead Actor category, Adrien Brody (“The Brutalist”) will face tough competition from:

• Ralph Fiennes (“Conclave”)

• Timothée Chalamet (“A Complete Unknown”) for his portrayal of Bob Dylan

• Daniel Craig (“Queer”)

• Colman Domingo (“Sing Sing”)

“Wicked” Rebounds After Mixed Golden Globes Performance

Despite a disappointing night at the Golden Globes, where it only won for Cinematic and Box Office Achievement, “Wicked” made a strong comeback with its SAG nominations. Both Ariana Grande and Jonathan Bailey earned individual acting nods.

Television Nominations & Ceremony Details

The SAG Awards also recognize television performances, with the historical Japanese drama “Shogun” leading the pack with five nominations following its success at the Emmys and Golden Globes.

The SAG Awards ceremony is set to take place on February 23 in Los Angeles and will stream live on Netflix for the second consecutive year. However, the in-person announcement of the nominations was canceled due to the devastating wildfires in the Los Angeles area.

Critics Choice Awards Postponed Due to Wildfires

The Critics Choice Awards, originally scheduled for Sunday, have been postponed due to the ongoing wildfires. Organizers confirmed the delay to AFP on Wednesday.

Directors Guild (DGA) Nominations Announced

Also on Wednesday, the Directors Guild of America (DGA) revealed its nominees for Best Director, which include:

• Sean Baker (“Anora”)

• Jacques Audiard (“Emilia Perez”)

• Edward Berger (“Conclave”)

• Brady Corbet (“The Brutalist”)

• James Mangold (“A Complete Unknown”)

One major snub was Jon Chu, who was left out despite directing “Wicked.”

The DGA Awards will be held on February 10.