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The recent nominations for the 2025 BAFTA Awards have sparked considerable discussion among film enthusiasts and critics alike. In particular, the notable absence of Daniel Craig from the nominations has raised eyebrows, especially after his recent surprise nomination for Best Actor at the Screen Actors Guild Awards for his role in Queer. This omission is surprising given the increased competitiveness of this year’s awards, where an additional nomination spot was available.
Among those who did secure nominations are Hugh Grant for Heretic and Sebastian Stan for The Apprentice, alongside the expected leading four candidates for Best Actor: Adrien Brody in The Brutalist, Timothée Chalamet in A Complete Unknown, Colman Domingo for Sing Sing, and Ralph Fiennes with Conclave. This situation begs the question: how did Craig, a former James Bond icon, end up missing from the nominations in the U.K., where the film industry is known for its strong support of local talent?
The dynamics may be tied to the relative commercial success of Heretic, which performed better at the box office compared to Queer. Additionally, The Apprentice successfully transitioned from longlist mentions to actual nominations, further emphasizing its popularity among voters. With Craig being the only representative from Queer on the longlist, his exclusion underscores the unpredictable nature of awards season.
SEE the ‘Awards Magnet’ SAG Awards nominations recap show for a detailed analysis of this year’s snubs and surprises.
A Complete Unknown, despite being one of the final major releases of 2024, has rapidly emerged as a strong contender for awards. Following its SAG ensemble nomination and a Directors Guild of America nod for director James Mangold, the biopic about Bob Dylan has secured a spot in the Best Picture nominations at BAFTA, competing against established favorites like Anora, The Brutalist, Conclave, and Emilia Pérez. Interestingly, Wicked, which did not receive a DGA nomination nor a Best Picture nod from BAFTA, remains a contender, but A Complete Unknown seems poised to maintain its momentum in the Oscar race. Observers are now questioning how far this film can go in terms of Oscar nominations.
Additionally, the awards season has kept everyone guessing: will Jamie Lee Curtis secure her place in the increasingly unpredictable Best Supporting Actress category? The evolution of this race is worth monitoring as more nominations are revealed and predicted outcomes continue to shift.
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www.goldderby.com