BEST ORIGINAL SCREENPLAY
Peter Buchman for “The Argentine” (TBD)
Luhrmann, Ronald Harwood, Stuart Beattie, Richard Flanagan for “Australia” (20th Century Fox)
J. Michael Straczynski for “Changeling” (Universal)
Dustin Lance Black for “Milk” (Focus Features)
Charlie Kaufman for “Synecdoche, New
York” (Kimmel)
Comments:
Apart from the quartet of screenwriters that helped flesh out the 130 million dollar project known as Australia and what should be a shoe-in nom by the magnificent imagination of Charlie Kaufman, the three leading candidates I’m suggesting for Best Original are relatively new to the big project business. Peter Buchman split the Che biopic into two parts, so I’m thinking that we will see the first serving this year and have to wait for the conclusion in 09;. His previous credits only include Jurassic Park III, and more recently, Eragon. This would be his first nomination. Veteran sci-fi and television writer J. Michael Straczynski might get on the board with his treatment for the Eastwood directed project. Finally, Dustin Lance Black might see his San Fran set, dramatic biopic on Harvey Milk get plenty of attention during the fall/festival/awards season.
The Contenders:
Once the buzz develops around Happy-Go-Lucky, Oscar-fav Mike Leigh might make it to the top of the possible nom circle – and another Brit project finds director Jean-Marc Vallée benefit from having a great writer in Julian Fellowes (Oscar-winning writer for Gosford Park) for The Young
Victoria. Among the studio pics – there is some good buzz on Grant Nieporte’s debut screenplay for Seven Pounds. Greg Mottola digs into his own childhood for the details he needed to write Adventureland. He last wrote the beloved (his first screenplay) for The Daytrippers. Kenneth Lonergan’s Margaret gets its long-awaited release. Among the split-genre substances we have Neil Burger and Dirk Wittenborn attempt the comedy with drama elements in The Lucky Ones and finally we can’t forget Woody Allen ‘s imagination and Oscar nom track record – perhaps he stands a chance with Vicky Cristina Barcelona.
Tomorrow: Best Adapted Screenplay
