Variety's Awards Circuit is home to the official predictions for the upcoming Oscars from Film Awards Editor Clayton Davis. Following Academy Awards history, buzz, news, reviews and sources, the Oscar predictions are updated regularly with the current year's contenders in all categories. Variety's Awards Circuit Prediction schedule consists of four phases, running all year long: Draft, Pre-Season, Regular Season and Post Season. Eligibility calendar and dates of awards will determine how long each phase lasts and will be displayed next to revision date.
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2021 GOLDEN GLOBE PREDICTIONS:
BEST ACTOR IN A MOTION PICTURE (COMEDY OR MUSICAL)
UPDATED: Jan. 1, 2021
AWARDS COMMENTARY:
Sacha Baron Cohen hopes to mirror his win for 2006’s “Borat” with a follow-up for its popular sequel. It could manifest itself into a tight race for best actor which failed to materialize the last time around. Jamie Dornan is the type of celebrity that the HFPA loves to invite to their ceremony and despite reviews for John Patrick Shanley’s “Wild Mountain Thyme,” he could be a safe bet. Can either of the “Hamilton” boys make the cut? It’ll be close and then there’s still Will Ferrell who could pop up for “Eurovision Song Contest.” 2010 was the last time that not a single Golden Globe nominee in this category produced an Oscar nominee (Paul Giamatti was the winner for “Barney’s Version”). Could that repeat again this year?
AND THE PREDICTED NOMINEES ARE:
Sacha Baron Cohen"Borat Subsequent Moviefilm" (Amazon Studios)
GLOBES HISTORY: 3 nominations, 1 win (2006's "Borat: Cultural Learnings of America for Make Benefit Glorious Nation of Kazakhstan")ROLE: Borat Sagdiyev–DIRECTOR: Jason WolinerSYNOPSIS: A satire on Trump’s America that follows a Kazakh journalist who’s sent to America to deliver a gift from his government to Vice President Mike Pence. Along the way, his worldview is turned upside down and steadfast beliefs are challenged by his teenage daughter.
STARRING: Sacha Baron Cohen, Maria Bakalova
Dev Patel"The Personal History of David Copperfield" (Searchlight Pictures)
GLOBES HISTORY: 1 nomination (2016's "Lion")ROLE: David Copperfield
–DIRECTOR: Armando IannucciSYNOPSIS: A modern take on Charles Dickens's classic tale of a young orphan who is able to triumph over many obstacles.STARRING: Dev Patel, Hugh Laurie, Tilda Swinton, Peter Capaldi, Gwendoline Christie
Andy Samberg"Palm Springs" (Hulu/Neon)
GLOBES HISTORY: 1 nomination, 1 win (FOX's "Brooklyn Nine-Nine" in 2014)ROLE: Nyles
–DIRECTOR: Max BarbakowSYNOPSIS: When carefree Nyles and reluctant maid of honor Sarah have a chance encounter at a Palm Springs wedding, things get complicated as they are unable to escape the venue, themselves, or each other.STARRING: Andy Samberg, Cristin Milioti, J.K. Simmons, Peter Gallagher, Meredith Hagner, Camila Mendes, Tyler Hoechlin
Jamie Dornan"Wild Mountain Thyme" (Bleecker Street)
GLOBES HISTORY: Never nominatedROLE: Anthony
–DIRECTOR: John Patrick ShanleySYNOPSIS: Rosemary is set on winning Anthony’s love. Anthony, stung by his father’s plan to sell the farm in Ireland to his American cousin, is finally jolted into pursuing his dreams.STARRING: Jamie Dornan, Emily Blunt, Christopher Walken, Jon Hamm
Leslie Odom, Jr."Hamilton" (Disney Plus)
GLOBES HISTORY: Never nominatedROLE: Aaron Burr–DIRECTOR: Thomas KailSYNOPSIS: The real life of one of America's foremost founding fathers and first Secretary of the Treasury, Alexander Hamilton. Captured live on Broadway from the Richard Rodgers Theater with the original Broadway cast.STARRING: Lin-Manuel Miranda, Leslie Odom, Jr., Phillipa Soo, Daveed Diigs, Renée Elise Goldsberry, Jonathan Groff, Christopher Jackson, Okieriete Onaodowan, Anthony Ramos, Jasmine Cephas Jones, Ariana DeBose
NEXT IN LINE:
Will Ferrell"Eurovision Song Contest: The Story of Fire Saga" (Netflix)
GLOBES HISTORY: 2 nominations (2005's "The Producers" and 2006's "Stranger than Fiction")ROLE: Lars Erickssong
–DIRECTOR: David DobkinSYNOPSIS: When aspiring musicians Lars (Will Ferrell) and Sigrit (Rachel McAdams) are given the opportunity of a lifetime to represent their country at the world's biggest song competition, they finally have a chance to prove that any dream worth having is a dream worth fighting for.
STARRING: Will Ferrell, Rachel McAdams, Pierce Brosnan, Dan Stevens, Mikael Persbrandt, Olafur Darri Olafsson, Graham Norton, Melissanthi Mahut, Demi Lovato
Michael Angelo Covino"The Climb" (Sony Pictures Classics)
GLOBES HISTORY: Never nominatedROLE: Mike
–DIRECTOR: Michael Angelo CovinoSYNOPSIS: A look at the friendship between two guys that spans over many years.
STARRING Michael Angelo Covino, Kyle Marvin, Gayle Rankin, Judith Godrèche
Lin-Manuel Miranda"Hamilton" (Disney Plus)
GLOBES HISTORY: 2 nominations (2018's "Mary Poppins Returns" and 2016's "Moana" in original song)ROLE: Alexander Hamilton–DIRECTOR: Thomas KailSYNOPSIS: The real life of one of America's foremost founding fathers and first Secretary of the Treasury, Alexander Hamilton. Captured live on Broadway from the Richard Rodgers Theater with the original Broadway cast.STARRING: Lin-Manuel Miranda, Leslie Odom, Jr., Phillipa Soo, Daveed Diigs, Renée Elise Goldsberry, Jonathan Groff, Christopher Jackson, Okieriete Onaodowan, Anthony Ramos, Jasmine Cephas Jones, Ariana DeBose
James Corden"The Prom" (Netflix)
GLOBES HISTORY: Never nominatedROLE: Barry Glickman
–DIRECTOR: Ryan MurphySYNOPSIS: A troupe of hilariously self-obsessed theater stars swarm into a small conservative Indiana town in support of a high school girl who wants to take her girlfriend to the prom.STARRING: Meryl Streep, Jo Ellen Pellman, James Corden, Nicole Kidman, Ariana DeBose, Kerry Washington, Keegan-Michael Key, Andrew Rannells. Tracey Ullman
Nnamdi Asomugha"Sylvie's Love" (Amazon Prime Video)
GLOBES HISTORY: Never nominatedROLE: Robert Halloway
–DIRECTOR: Eugene AsheSYNOPSIS: When a young woman meets an aspiring saxophonist in her father's record shop in 1950s Harlem, their love ignites a sweeping romance that transcends changing times, geography, and professional success.STARRING: Tessa Thompson, Nnamdi Asomugha, Eva Longoria, Aja Naomi King, Regé-Jean Page, Tone Bell, Jemima Kirke
ALSO IN CONTENTION:
Rob Brydon,“The Trip to Greece” (IFC Films)Steve Carell,“Irresistible” (Focus Features)Steve Coogan,“The Trip to Greece” (IFC Films)Jim Carrey,“Sonic the Hedgehog” (Paramount Pictures)Pete Davidson,“The King of Staten Island” (Universal Pictures)Richard Jenkins,“The Last Shift” (Sony Pictures Releasing)Martin Lawrence,“Bad Boys for Life” (Sony Pictures Releasing)Kyle Marvin,“The Climb” (Sony Pictures Classics)Matthew McConaughey,“The Gentlemen” (STXfilms)Keanu Reeves,“Bill & Ted Face the Music” (United Artists Releasing)Seth Rogen,“An American Pickle” (HBO Max)Ben Schwartz,“Standing Up, Falling Down” (Shout! Factory)Will Smith,“Bad Boys for Life” (Sony Pictures Releasing)Dan Stevens,“Blithe Spirit” (IFC Films)Forest Whitaker,“Jingle Jangle: A Christmas Journey” (Netflix)
2021 Golden Globes Predictions (Film)
- Best Motion Picture – Drama
- Best Motion Picture – Comedy or Musical
- Best Motion Picture – Foreign Language
- Best Motion Picture – Animated
- Best Actor in a Motion Picture (Drama)
- Best Actor in a Motion Picture (Comedy or Musical)
- Best Actress in a Motion Picture (Drama)
- Best Actress in a Motion Picture (Comedy or Musical)
- Best Actor in a Supporting Role in a Motion Picture
- Best Actress in a Supporting Role in a Motion Picture
- Best Director – Motion Picture
- Best Screenplay – Motion Picture
- Best Original Score – Motion Picture
- Best Original Song- Motion Picture
- Cecil B. DeMille Award for Lifetime Achievement in Motion Pictures
2020-2021 Golden Globes Awards Timeline
- Deadline for submission of Golden Globe Motion Picture and Television entry forms – Nov. 30, 2020
- Deadline for Television nomination ballots to be mailed to all HFPA members by Ernst & Young – Dec. 30, 2020
- Deadline for receipt of Television nomination ballots by Ernst & Young at 8:00 p.m. ET / 5:00 p.m. PT – Jan. 12, 2021
- Deadline for Motion Picture nomination ballots to be mailed to all HFPA members by Ernst & Young at 8:00 p.m. ET / 5:00 p.m. PT – Jan. 13, 2021
- The final screening date for Motion Pictures – Jan. 26, 2021
- The final date for Motion Picture press conferences – Jan. 27, 2021
- Deadline for receipt of Motion Picture nomination ballots by Ernst & Young at 3:00 p.m. ET / 12:00 p.m. PT – Jan. 30, 2021
- Nominations for the 78th Annual Golden Globe Awards announced at 8:00 a.m. ET / 5:00 a.m. PT – Feb. 3, 2021
- Final ballots mailed to all HFPA members by Ernst & Young – Feb. 23, 2021
- 78th Annual Golden Globe Awards will air live coast to coast at 8:00 p.m. ET / 5:00 p.m. PT on NBC from The Beverly Hilton in Beverly Hills, California – Feb. 28, 2021
2021 Academy Awards Predictions
About the Golden Globes
The Golden Globes Awards, hosted by the Hollywood Foreign Press Association, is held annually with 93 members since 1944. The group recognizes excellence in film and television, across drama and comedy or musical categories. Damien Chazelle’s “La La Land” holds the record for the most awards won by a single film with seven. Milos Forman’s “One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest” and Alan Parker’s “Midnight Express” is next in line with six each. Robert Altman’s “Nashville” has the record for most nominations received by a film with 11 while Colin Higgins’ “Foul Play,” Francis Ford Coppola’s “The Godfather Part III” and Mike Nichols’ “Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf?” share the record for receiving the most nominations and not winning a single award at seven.