USA TODAY International Edition
Scorsese, Adams, ‘ Dory’ miss out
La La Land and diversity were major winners in Tuesday’s Oscar nominations, but not everyone woke up to an avalanche of excited texts. USA TODAY’s Patrick Ryan lines up some of the most surprising omissions from this year’s crop:
AMY ADAMS
Once considered an on- the- bubble contender, the five- time Oscar nominee gained momentum in the past month because of Arrival’s strong showing with industry and critics’ groups. But the overdue actress’ understated performance as a linguistics expert may not have been flashy enough for voters, who otherwise greeted the sci- fi drama with eight nominations, including best picture.
FINDING DORY
Stellar reviews and more than $ 1 billion at the global box office couldn’t help the Disney/ Pixar blockbuster swim to a nomination for best- animated feature — a category its predecessor, Finding Nemo, dominated in 2004.
DENZEL WASHINGTON
The dynamic Fences star earned his seventh acting Oscar nod for his acclaimed August Wilson adaptation with Viola Davis but was edged out of best director by comeback kid Mel Gibson ( Hack
saw Ridge) and first- time nominee Denis Villeneuve ( Arrival).
DEADPOOL
For a second there, it looked as if the Merc with a Mouth might score a nomination for best picture, given the underdog’s surprising inclusion in Golden Globes and guild nominations. But even with the boost of Ryan Reynolds’ delightfully unconventional awards campaign, the R- rated superhero couldn’t go the distance.
ANNETTE BENING
Not only is she a four- time Oscar nominee, the 20th Century Wom
en star also is a member of the Academy’s Board of Governors as a representative for the Actors Branch. So how did she miss out on Nomination No. 5? Blame it on a crowded field of other wellrespected actresses, including Meryl Streep ( Florence Foster
Jenkins) and French icon Isabelle Huppert ( Elle), both of whom have showier roles than Bening’s ’ 70s matriarch.
AARON TAYLOR- JOHNSON
After picking up best supporting actor at the Golden Globes, Johnson was passed over for his creepy Nocturnal Animals turn in favor of his wry co- star, Michael Shannon. Tom Ford’s stylish second feature was otherwise missing from the nominations, despite recent love from the BAFTA Awards and the Writers Guild of America.
TARAJI P. HENSON
Arriving at the tail end of awards season, Hidden Figures blasted off at the box office with $ 85 million ( and counting) since late December and four nominations including best picture and best supporting actress ( Octavia Spencer). But the Empire star couldn’t manage a nod for her powerful turn as a NASA mathematician, nor could her wellreviewed co- stars Janelle Monáe and Kevin Costner.
SULLY
Clint Eastwood’s workmanlike take on the Miracle on the Hudson hasn’t been a major awards player in months, despite its inclusion on the National Board of Review’s top 10 films of the year. Still, its shutout in major categories is surprising given its stellar box office ($ 125.1 million) and likable star in Tom Hanks, who was once again overlooked for best actor.