The nominations for the 27th annual Producers Guild of America Awards have arrived and typically signify the point of the awards season where we tilt from critics to industry prizes. The Producers Guild (PGA) make-up consists of several films that seem on the top of the Oscar bubble including Spotlight (strangely snubbed yesterday by the American Cinema Editors), The Big Short (the only film so far to be acknowledged by SAG, ACE and PGA), Mad Max: Fury Road, The Martian and The Revenant.
Then there were some surprises including a mention for indie breakout Ex Machina, the appearance of fall hit Sicario and summer blockbuster Straight Outta Compton. All three movies have had pockets of awards buzz but seemed unlikely for the top prize, a view that may change if guild mentions continue. Somewhat strangely missing from the line-up were critics darlings Carol and Room, but Brooklyn, a praised period drama that seemed to have fallen under slightly made it in as did Steven Spielberg’s Bridge of Spies. Perhaps most strange was the lack of nod for Star Wars: The Force Awakens. PGA has a history of nominating massive hits in the past including the first Harry Potter film and J.J. Abrams’ 2009 reboot of Star Trek, neither of which had much Oscar traction. The snub of The Force Awakens is more than a bit bizarre. Last year, Birdman won the top prize.
Check out the nominees below:
DARRYL F. ZANUCK AWARD FOR OUTSTANDING PRODUCER OF THEATRICAL MOTION PICTURES
- The Big Short– Brad Pitt, Dede Gardner, Jeremy Kleiner
- Bridge of Spies– Steven Spielberg, Marc Platt, Kristie Macosko Kreiger
- Brooklyn– Finiola Dwyer, Amanda Posey
- Ex Machina– This film is in the process of being vetted for producer eligibility
- Mad Max: Fury Road– Doug Mitchell, George Miller
- The Martian– Simon Kinberg, Ridley Scott, Michael Schaefer, Mark Huffam
- The Revenant– Arnon Milchan, Steve Golin, Alejandro González Iñárritu, Mary Parent, Keith Redmon
- Sicario– Basil Iwanyk, Edward L. McDonnell, Molly Smith
- Spotlight– Michael Sugar, Steve Golin, Nicole Rocklin, Blye Pagon Faust
- Straight Outta Compton– Ice Cube, Matt Alvarez, F. Gary Grey, Dr. Dre, Scott Bernstein
OUTSTANDING PRODUCER OF ANIMATED THEATRICAL MOTION PICTURES
- Anomalisa– Rosa Tran, Duke Johnson, Charlie Kaufman
- The Good Dinosaur– Denise Ream
- Inside Out– Jonas Rivera
- Minions– Chris Meledandri, Janet Healy
- The Peanuts Movie– Craig Schulz, Michael J. Travers