THE GREATEST SHOWMAN : Awards Talk

[jo]

Scott Mendelson, who seems to be quite supportive of Hugh Jackman, given the number of favorable articles he has written for FORBES on Hugh now sizes up the awards possibilities for HJ --

Hugh Jackman, Zac Efron And Zendaya Invent The Circus In 'The Greatest Showman' Trailer

Scott Mendelson ,   Contributor
I cover the film industry.
Opinions expressed by Forbes Contributors are their own.


20th Century Fox made a good show at this year's CinemaCon of offering a mix of franchise fare and old-school movies. It was their trailer for The Greatest Showman that closed out the presentation while knocking my socks off. Since I'm writing this before the trailer actually drops (I'm fast, but I'm not that fast), I am going to assume that this trailer is similar to what I saw back in late March. But yeah, this looks like a doozy. It's an original musical featuring noted song-and-dance man Hugh Jackman as P.T. Barnum as the guy who essentially invented the circus, with a cast that includes Zac Efron (I seem to recall him being able to sing), Zendaya, Michelle Williams and Rebecca Ferguson.


Sure, this Michael Gracey-directed biopic, penned by Jenny Bricks and Bill Condon, probably won't reinvent the wheel, but it looks like a pretty splendid bit of old-school showmanship. And if it's good and it clicks, it'll have plenty of time to run up the scoreboard over the Christmas holiday right alongside Pitch Perfect 3, Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle and Star Wars: The Last Jedi. If it's really good, and if it can navigate a likely controversy concerning the the circus's history of animal mistreatment and/or the whole "freak show" thing, it could 20th Century Fox's big Oscar contender for the year. After all, Hollywood loves movies that celebrate show business.


But even if that doesn't turn out to be the case, Fox will also platform Steven Spielberg's Pentagon Papers drama in late December, Jackman may find himself in the running in next year's Oscar race thanks to both this film and his other well-reviewed drama. No, I don't think Jackman is going to be an Oscar nomination for Logan, although I wouldn't have much of an issue if he did (ditto Patrick Stewart). But the goodwill and good vibes from that blockbuster action drama ($617 million worldwide on a $97m budget) will only help Jackman should he end up among the contenders.


The narrative is important in the Oscar race. The notion of rewarding one of our last "new" non-comedic movie stars (right before the star system started to crumble) for a kind of career achievement award in a year where he shined in both of his proverbial comfort zones (musical theater and playing Wolverine) will be an appealing one if everything falls into place. But nonetheless, this will also benefit from being the first really big original musical since La La Land, and I would argue that musicals, like big sci-fi films, are still considered "events" best consumed in a movie theater even in a Netflix-and-chill era. But for the moment, this looks terrific and I can only hope it delivers right alongside Star Wars: The Last Jedi and the rest of the big Christmas releases just under six months from now.

[jo]

Reposting from TGS : Publicity and Promotion.

www.tracking-board.com/hugh-jackman-wows-and-thrills-in-first-greatest-showman-trailer-video/


Hugh Jackman Wows and Thrills in First “Greatest Showman” Trailer (Video)
June 28, 2017

From live theater to Oscar host to Jean Valjean, it’s no secret that Hugh Jackman is a remarkably talented and theatrical actor. Well, he’s at it again in the first trailer for THE GREATEST SHOWMAN, Fox’s musical take on P.T. Barnum and his enterprises, which would eventually lead to Barnum & Bailey Circus.

A classic rags to riches story, set to modern, original music from Oscar (La La Land) and Tony (Dear Evan Hansen) winners Pasek & Paul, the movie takes place in the early-to-mid nineteenth century as Barnum (Jackman) dreams of bigger and better things for himself and his family (Michelle Williams plays Barnum’s wife Charity in the film). Teaming with a talented group of “oddities” (including Zendaya as a trapeze artist and Keala Settle as the Bearded Woman) and playwright Phillip (Zac Efron), Barnum launches his first foray into show business.

Rebecca Ferguson also stars in the film as real-life Swedish opera singer Jenny Lind.

It’s hard not to feel inspired by the trailer — although it sometimes borders on predictability, there’s a definite charm and appeal in its genuine earnestness. In a time where cynicism and grittiness run rampant in media, it’s about time we have something that is pure in its hope and beauty, championing individualism and the idea that “every one of us is special.”


Sure to be a hit come awards season (especially in the Golden Globes’ musical/comedy categories), don’t be surprised if we see Jackman scoring nomination after nomination.

I wonder if BEAUTY AND THE BEAST will pose a threat for THE GREATEST SHOWMAN at the GOLDEN GLOBES?

[jo]

It's too early ( the movie has not been seen/the competition has not been largely seen) -- but awards talk seems to follow this film project --

www.tvovermind.com/movies/getting-ready-for-oscar-season-hugh-jackmans-the-greatest-showman

Film blogger rates The Greatest Showman movie/Hugh Jackman/Michelle Williams/This Is Me as having good chances for Oscar nods!

[jo]

GoldDerby calls THE GREATEST SHOWMAN as "a hot Oscar contender", in introducing the first trailer of the movie --

www.goldderby.com/article/2017/the-great-showman-trailer-hugh-jackman-michelle-williams-oscar-news/

‘The Great Showman’ trailer: Hugh Jackman, Michelle Williams sizzle in this hot Oscar contender
Paul Sheehan
Film
1 hour ago


Hugh Jackman reaped his only Oscar nomination for his leading role in the movie version of the smash hit Broadway musical “Les Miserables.” He is back singing on screen in “The Greatest Showman,” a biopic of circus impresario P.T. Barnum. Joining him in this musical extravaganza, which opens Christmas Day, is four-time Oscar contender Michelle Williams. She plays Charity, his first-love who became the star of his innovative  three-ring circus.
Jackman won a Tony award for his turn as modern-day showman, Peter Allen, in the smash hit musical “The Boy from Oz.” He also picked up an Emmy for one of his three times hosting of these top theater awards.

Lending support in “The Great Showman” are “High School Musical” alum Zac Efron, who plays a young lawyer bewitched by a trapeze artist (Zendaya), and Rebecca Ferguson as Swedish songbird Jenny Lind. They too are seen in the just-released trailer (watch above). Underscoring the snippets of scenes is the song “This Is Me,” which is performed in the picture by Tony nominee Keala Settle (“Waitress”) who plays the Bearded Lady.

This visual extravaganza is directed by Michael Gracey, who made his name directing award-winning TV ads in his native Australia. The script is by Oscar winner Bill Condon (“Gods and Monsters”) and Jenny Bicks. And the songs are by Oscar-winning tunesmiths Benj Pasek and Justin Paul (“La La. Land”) who are fresh off their Tony victory for “Dear Evan Hansen.”

 

[jo]

It has now become an urgency for media to start Oscar and other awards speculaton at midyear! Although this is more in the area of possibilities rather than forecasts ( for one, the usual candidates for awards glory are generally released in the second half) --

Variety released a previous article zeroing in on the indies chances. This time, the discussions are for studio potential bets --

variety.com/2017/film/in-contention/midway-oscars-forecast-major-studios-aim-for-gold-with-spectacle-and-zeitgeist-1202479822/

Excerpts --

Twentieth Century Fox has a trio of prestige plays in store. For the holidays, Hugh Jackman stars as P.T. Barnum in Michael Gracey’s “The Greatest Showman,” though that could register more as a family film than an awards juggernaut. Meanwhile, Kenneth Branagh aims to dust off an Agatha Christie classic with the star-studded “Murder on the Orient Express.” But if ever there was a project that, sight unseen, felt destined for gold baubles, it has to be Steven Spielberg’s Pentagon Papers drama “The Papers,” starring Tom Hanks and Meryl Streep. A movie that will no doubt capture the zeitgeist with a portrait of the inherent need for a dedicated and judicious fourth estate will be formidable.

The Century City studio also has the most compelling case among the genre players: Matt Reeves’ “War for the Planet of the Apes,” which caps off that rare breed, a trilogy that bests itself with every new installment. More of a heart-wrenching drama than an actioner geared toward selling concessions, it’s a stunning accomplishment and one of the best films of the year. Andy Serkis will likely stir calls for Oscar attention yet again with his performance-capture work, and frankly Steve Zahn deserves to be there with him, in the supporting conversation. But while all of that is admittedly an uphill climb, fingers crossed that, at minimum, the Academy finally recognizes the groundbreaking visual effects of this series.


Fox is also working with Palestinian auteur Hany Abu-Assad (“The Mountain Between Us,” with Idris Elba and Kate Winslet), and sports a handful of animated hopefuls with DreamWorks’ “Boss Baby” and “Captain Underpants: The First Epic Movie,” and Blue Sky’s “Ferdinand.” It’s quite the diverse portfolio. Though it will be interesting to see what kind of conversation the studio can rekindle around James Mangold’s “Logan,” which hit theaters less than a week after the 89th Oscars rolled up the red carpet. The gritty neo-Western remains one of the year’s best, with a touching Patrick Stewart performance that deserves serious consideration. Can Academy members give the movie a fair shake, or is the stigma still too great (“The Dark Knight” excepted)?...

[jo]

. For the holidays, Hugh Jackman stars as P.T. Barnum in Michael Gracey’s “The Greatest Showman,” though that could register more as a family film than an awards juggernaut.

Hope it does so much better than just being a family film, but also a strong contender for awards glory! It is an excellent contrast to what may be the usual Oscar bait fare in the last few months of the year.

The gold and the glory for THE GREATEST SHOWMAN!


Jo

[carouselkathy]

Sometimes the Academy can reward a one-two punch if an actor delivers a great performance in two films in the same year. I think the members would love to acknowledge Hugh Jackman for his overall work. We know LOGAN was worthy of a best actor nomination, and it's possible that THE GREATEST SHOWMAN will also deserve consideration. Will the academy agree? Since we haven't yet seen SHOWMAN, who knows? Whatever they decide, I hope they pick one and keep the envelopes straight.

[jo]

From the Deadline article discussing awards potential based only on films released in the first half --

On another front I am reliably told (by its producers) the year’s top grossing feature ($1.2 billion or so), Disney’s live action take on Beauty And The Beast which opened in March, is also going to launch a serious campaign, targeting the Golden Globes Musical/Comedy category for starters. With mixed critical reviews (71% on RT)  and the general nature of the way winds are blowing at the Academy, landing a Best Picture slot is uphill (craft nods and a best song slot are very possible).

Oh-uh! BaTB may have the commercial advantage but its less-than-CERTIFIED FRESH 71% RT rating does not make it a really formidable opponent. Hopefully

Unless the reviews for GREATEST SHOWMAN are allowed way ahead of its release period, the only basis for GOLDEN GLOBES honors for THE GREATEST SHOWMAN will be the screeners or special screenings for voters for the GOLDEN GLOBES ( which announces its nominations on December 11 and its wins on January 7).

[carouselkathy]

Sometimes screenings take place before a film's release (for awards consideration).

[jo]

Gold Derby lists THE GREATEST SHOWMAN as one of top two contenders from FOX for awards glory. LOGAN is also among the honorable mentions --

www.goldderby.com/article/2017/20th-century-fox-2018-oscar-movies-the-papers-the-great-showman/

[jo]

Anne Thompson thinks THE GREATEST SHOWMAN has a shot for BEST ORIGINAL SCREENPLAY --

www.indiewire.com/2017/07/2018-oscar-predictions-best-original-screenplay-1201853673/

[jo]

This portrayal is supposed to be the most formidable competition for BEST ACTOR Oscar --






Maybe I am biased for Hugh, but what I see does not remind me of clips of Winston Churchill -- who always seemed noble ( he was of royal lineage if I am not mistaken), aristocratic, and statesman-like.

Jo

[jo]

Jeffrey Wells of Hollwood Elswhere comments on THE DARKEST HOUR trailer and Gary Oldman's portrayal, based on the brief clip --

Joe Wright‘s Darkest Hour (Focus Features, 11.22) will obviously have to stand on its own two feet. And it may well do that. Wright is a first-rate helmer. And how can Gary Oldman not come out of the coming award season with flying colors? Chamberlain appeases Germany, Britain takes a pounding, Churchill rallies his countrymen, etc. Dunkirk‘s brother-in-arms. Oldman’s delivery of the “we shall fight them on the beaches” speech is more spirited — peppier, more actorish — than Churchill’s...

So, I guess my ears weren't all that biased after all


Jo

[jo]

Jeffrey Wells of Hollywood Elsewhere writes about updated Oscar possibilities, as movies unfold and are previewed in trailers --

His main link ( you have to scroll down to find the articles for this one and my succeeding post) --

www.hollywood-elsewhere.com/

Six Likeliest Best Picture Nominees As We Speak

Right now the likeliest 2017 Best Picture nominees are Christopher Nolan‘s Dunkirk, Luca Guadagnino‘s Call Me By Your Name (Sony Pictures Classics, 11.24); Steven Spielberg‘s The Papers (20th Century Fox, 12.22); Alexander Payne‘s Downsizing (Paramount, 12.22); Paul Thomas Anderson‘s Phantom Thread (Focus Features, 12.25) and Hugh Jackman‘s The Greatest Showman (20th Century Fox, 12.25).


That’s six, but there could be two or three more: Guillermo Del Toro‘s The Shape of Water, Dan Gilroy‘s Roman Israel, Esq. and Jonathan Dayton and Valerie Faris‘s Battle of the Sexes.

Denzel Washington as attorney Roman Israel in Dan Gilroy’s film of the same name, due for Columbia Pictures release on 11.3.

That’s my best guesstimate so far. Leaving aside the excellent Dunkirk and Call Me By Your Name, the others will most likely register as pretty good if not more so. But the surest way to calculate the odds is not to consider suspected quality as much as the socio-cultural agendas of this or that group that will champion this or that film.
I’ll tell you right now that the lack of a significant contender portraying an African-American milieu (unless you want to consider Roman Israel, Esq., an ethical drama starring Denzel Washington, in this light) or made by an African-American director means things are wide open as we speak.

Dunkirk will have the support of anyone with the ability or willingness to acknowledge grand, ahead-of-the-curve greatness when they see it. It will surely gather special support from 40-plus males and members of below-the-line guilds.

Call Me By Your Name will definitely corral those who are soothed by naturalism and stirred by its soothing emotional bath elements and its bucolic travelogue delights. It will occupy a special place for those with the ability to appreciate and revel in an Eric Rohmer-like realm.

The Spielberg drama, which is about how Washington Post publisher Katharine Graham (Streep) decided to grow a journalistic backbone in the midst of the Pentagon Papers episode of ’71, will obviously have the 40-plus feminist vote and the support of sedate older boomers who automatically kowtow to anything bearing the beardo stamp.
As Battle of The Sexes is another feminist-themed drama set in the early ’70s, it may be highly competitive with The Papers as far as the older-woman or feminist-sympathy vote is concerned. If, that is, it turns out to be exceptional.


The Greatest Showman, a brassy musical about P.T. Barnum, will obviously excite those voters who prefer cheery, sparkly entertainments to solemn, thoughtful dramas or this or that sort.


I’ve only seen 10 or 12 minutes’ worth of Downsizing, but my impression following a viewing of said excerpt during last March’s Cinemacon is that it’s a visionary, Metropolis-like film that will definitely turn heads.


The only ones I really know about about are Dunkirk and Call Me By Your Name. I’ve read early drafts of The Papers and Downsizing. Everything else is spitballing.



July 29, 2017 1:30 pm
by Jeffrey Wells

Don't read the comments

There are naysayers to SHOWMAN

Hope Jeff Wells knows more about the movie than those likely musicals-haters


Jo

[jo]

Jeffrey Wells writes a related piece --

Best Picture Nominee, Natch, But Unlikely To Win

On Facebook this morning Rod Lurie posted a lamentably familiar Joe Popcorn view about Christopher Nolan‘s Dunkirk. Lurie basically said that (a) it’s too brilliant not to be nominated for Best Picture but (b) it can’t win because the SAG contingent will find it too Olympian, too studied and not character-driven enough. Pretty much the same complaints could have been levelled at Barry Lyndon, right?

Dunkirk, of course, is much grabbier and more commercial than Lyndon ever had a hope of being, but the sons and daughters of the peons who spoke dismissively of Stanley Kubrick’s 1975 masterpiece are just as vocal today, sad to say.

“Yes, Dunkirk is a masterpiece,” Lurie wrote. “One of the great war films of our time, maybe one of the greats period. It’s an auteur’s work. Celluloid Beethoven. I saw it for a second time last night on IMAX — and the experience was different. Immersive. Ethereal. Especially in the ‘air’ segments where we were so in the sky that I feared running out of oxygen. And yet… and yet…Dunkirk will not win the Best Picture Oscar.

“Nolan likely gets the directing statue, so brazenly original a movie it is, so arduous an exercise it might have been, but it’s not getting the top award.

“Best Picture Oscars go to character-driven films. Pretty much every time they go to movies that are humanly driven and not necessarily creatively driven. Maybe that’s because ‘human’ movies are actor-dependent and actors are the plurality of the Academy.

“Dunkirk may well be enveloped by the same fate as Apocalypse Now (lost to Kramer vs. Kramer), Avatar (beaten by The Hurt Locker), Gravity (out-pointed by 12 Years A Slave), and The Revenant (edged out by Spotlight).

“There will be a perceived contest this year between Dunkirk and some smaller film — I dunno, maybe the Spielberg film on the Pentagon papers. Whatever that film ends up being, bet on that one. Too bad, because Dunkirk deserves to be thus cemented in film history.”


July 29, 2017
by Jeffrey Wells

Do read the comments -- most are NOT agreeing that DUNKIRK deserves the Best Picture Oscar

Jeff Wells does have very outspoken followers



On a more sober note -- Wells quotes the writer of the article who was apprehensive about the Oscar chances of Dunkirk:

“Best Picture Oscars go to character-driven films. Pretty much every time they go to movies that are humanly driven and not necessarily creatively driven. Maybe that’s because ‘human’ movies are actor-dependent and actors are the plurality of the Academy.

That is why I am batting for some dramatic elements in THE GREATEST SHOWMAN to make it more character-driven, at least in the portrayal of P.T.Barnum! But maybe -- the real secret of the film is that while people may get dazzled by the music and dance, it is really how a group of "characters" are organized by the genius of impresario Barnum to showbusiness success that will tap on the themes of individuality ( each one may have his own, likely sad, story), inclusivity ( people who are different deserve as much attention as others likely more blessed), and talent/imagination/hardwork ( who more than actors can appreciate that anyone who has those traits has a chance to succeed?)!

I am also hoping that the SAG ( the actor memmbers who vote at the AMPAS) will also recognize that it takes tremendous triple-threat talent to portray a character such as what Hugh Jackman will likely display in the movie. That triple-talent versatility plus the talent to portray adversity and success also calls for the highest caliber of acting! On an aside, hope they also recognize that Hugh Jackman delivered two of the best performances this year, which is one of the most disparate portrayals ever ( a dramatic portrayal of Logan AND a triple-threat treat in Showman) and his body of work over the years has been a true tribute to their calling as actors!


Jo

[jo]

Hope the FOX Oscar campaign team thinks along these lines --

That is why I am batting for some dramatic elements in THE GREATEST SHOWMAN to make it more character-driven, at least in the portrayal of P.T.Barnum! But maybe -- the real secret of the film is that while people may get dazzled by the music and dance, it is really how a group of "characters" are organized by the genius of impresario Barnum to showbusiness success that will tap on the themes of individuality ( each one may have his own, likely sad, story), inclusivity ( people who are different deserve as much attention as others likely more blessed), and talent/imagination/hardwork ( who more than actors can appreciate that anyone who has those traits has a chance to succeed?)!

I am also hoping that the SAG ( the actor memmbers who vote at the AMPAS) will also recognize that it takes tremendous triple-threat talent to portray a character such as what Hugh Jackman will likely display in the movie. That triple-talent versatility plus the talent to portray adversity and success also calls for the highest caliber of acting! On an aside, hope they also recognize that Hugh Jackman delivered two of the best performances this year, which is one of the most disparate portrayals ever ( a dramatic portrayal of Logan AND a triple-threat treat in Showman) and his body of work over the years has been a true tribute to their calling as actors!

That was certainly self-serving and biased of me


And hey, I hope the FOX team is persuadable that the time for a different kind of cinematic entertainment via THE GREATEST SHOWMAN is now the way to go -- rather than go back to " stodgy indies" - like the political drama THE PAPERS ( Spielberg/Streep/Hanks) to root for Best Picture and acting honors!


JO

[jo]

Goldderby's PAUL SHEEHAN predicts in various Oscar categories as of end-July -- in this case, for BEST PICTURE nominations :

www.goldderby.com/article/2017/2018-oscar-predictions-best-picture/

THE GREATEST SHOWMAN is among many LEADING CONTENDERS.

LOGAN is in second tier, among many STRONG CONTENDERS. Can you believe WONDER WOMAN lands in the first tier while LOGAN's chances are only in the second category. What is this? Popularity contest and social activism issues ... rather than exceptional filmmaking?? LOGAN has a higher overall critical rating ( 93% for LOGAN and 92% for WW at Rotten Tomatoes; average rating of 7.9 for Logan and 7.5 for WW also at RT...also slightly higher Metacritic rating for LOGAN of 77% vs 76% for WW...and even IMDB raters puts LOGAN at 8.2 while WW only earns 7.9 approval -- first user review calls WW as "a silly action movie - no masterpiece!" followed by even worse fan critiques). If there is one superhero movie that deserves to be the first nominee for Best Picture ( sorry, The Dark Knight missed its chance) , it has to be LOGAN! *Rolleyes**Rolleyes*

I hope FOX is not hamstrung by its likely push for SHOWMAN and relegation of LOGAN only for outside chances. We have seen LOGAN and it was a critical hit as much as a commercial success. C'mon FOX-- give both movies equal chances! I know that it is pragmatic to push for one Best Picture candidate ( although FOX also has THE PAPERS) but in the " For your Consideration" campaign for Oscar nominations, shouldn't it also bat equally for LOGAN? Of course, with the way the SAG group within AMPAS might vote according to the rules ( it is a complicated and not an outright "one choice only"), maybe they think the second Jackman movie release might have a better chance. We'll see how SHOWMAN stacks up with the critics and audiences at yearend!



On the other hand, Michael Gracey is viewed as a possible STRONG CONTENDER ( second tier) among possible nods for Directors.

www.goldderby.com/article/2017/2018-oscar-predictions-best-director/

James Mangold only lands in the third tier ( POSSIBLE CONTENDERS) for LOGAN. I think this is not fair in relation to the work he did for LOGAN, which was ground-breaking and exceptional for the superhero genre.



Hugh Jackman is included in the first tier list of LEADING CONTENDERS for his work in THE GREATESTS SHOWMAN, while his work in LOGAN is completely ignored! But he gives Colin Farrell two chances in the third tier *rolleyes*

www.goldderby.com/article/2017/2018-oscar-predictions-best-actor/




We are not even sure what kind of role Michelle Williams plays in THE GREATEST SHOWMAN ( she is billed only after Zac Efron, so it is likely going to be a FEATURED/SUPPORTING role for Michelle), but Sheehan places her as a LEADING CONTENDER, with one other portrayal of hers in another movie also in the same category. It seems its her 4 previous nods which impresses Sheehan.

www.goldderby.com/article/2017/2018-oscar-predictions-best-actress/



Sorry, I am not very impressed with this predictor's ability!

For one, he seems not to like LOGAN that much and rates its chances lower than WONDER WOMAN ( ugh... I hate it when rationales other than artistic excellence are used for OSCAR consideration -- isn't the Oscar all about artistic excellence and not an award for social activism. Please don't let the OSCARS become overly political!

And he uses past performances ( and not knowledge of actual role or actual performance in current film candidates) mainly for his predictions ( guesses, more like it) *rolleyes*



One last thought -- wouldn't it have been wonderful had LOGAN and THE GREATEST SHOWMAN been released in different awards years ?



Jo

[jo]

On the other hand, the release of two completely different portrayals ( presumed excellent for GREATEST SHOWMAN) in the same awards season ONLY strengthens the evolving perception of how good and how versatile Hugh Jackman is as an ACTOR!

That is what predictors like Sheehan ( of GOLD DERBY) should look more closely into! No offense meant, but how he puts Michelle Williams with two chances, one of which is SHOWMAN, has not much basis. Based on the trailer, there was nothing to indicate that the Charity Barnum role was equally important and was very well-performed! Yet, the contrasting portrayals by Hugh Jackman in LOGAN and THE GREATEST SHOWMAN left him unimpressed!

I hope the SAG group in AMPAS which nominates the BEST ACTOR candidates takes the exceptional performances in his two completely different movies and genres into serious consideration!

My own wishful thinking, is that at least at the Golden Globes, that Hugh gets nominated for BEST ACTOR in Drama and BEST ACTOR in Musicals/Comedy!


Jo

[jo]

Keala Settle impressed at a recent gala by the Hollywood Foreign Press Association ( which handles the GOLDEN GLOBES awards) --

Keala Settle, the ex-Broadway star of “Waitress,” raised the roof with her performance of “The Greatest Love of All.” Settle will appear in Fox’s Christmas release, “The Greatest Showman” with Hugh Jackman.

It looks like Keala might have a chance for Best Supporting Actress, at least with the Golden Globes which has two distinct film categories - Drama AND Musicals/Comedy. Hugh had predicted the same thing about possible breakout for Keala, when he presented the first preview at CinemaCon in Las Vegas early this year. Her singing in the trailer has also impressed audiences ( THIS IS ME). One thing though, she doesn't seem to be part of the major billing -- will that be a hindrance? Also, will the other three ladies be billed in the Supporting Category ( Michelle/Rebecca/Zendaya) or will Michelle be moved up to Leading Actress category? If Michelle is moved up to Leading category, what happens to Zac's acting classification as he is billed ahead of Michelle? Hmm... c'est complicated

When will we see the second trailer? And when will the publicity for the movie start racheting up? Hopefully, that will give us more clues on the relative importance of the roles assigned to the ladies.

Jo

[jo]

Just as I mused earlier -- people are taking notice of Keala Settle, especially for the forthcoming appearance in THE GREATEST SHOWMAN. Deadline's Pete Hammond says --

deadline.com/2017/08/hollywood-foreign-press-association-grants-2017-meryl-streep-dustin-hoffman-charity-1202142260/

Entertainment was provided by Keala Settle, singing a powerhouse rendition of Whitney Houston’s “The Greatest Love Of All.” Settle, nominated for a Tony last year for her supporting role in Waitress, could be headed for Globe and/or Oscar recognition for her first big film role as the Bearded Lady in the 20th Century Fox holiday release The Greatest Showman which stars Hugh Jackman as P.T. Barnum. As noted in my coverage of Fox’s presentation at CinemaCon in March, Jackman was effusive in praise of Settle. Certainly her performance last night won’t hurt in continuing the buzz for the as-yet unseen film musical. I am told she has a Jennifer Hudson Dreamgirls-style show-stopper from the film musical’s score by Oscar and Tony winners Benj Pasek and Justin Paul.



Among executives in the crowd at the Beverly Wilshire was Fox chairman Stacey Snider, who seems to be holding a hot hand this awards season with numerous Oscar possibilities — hopefully including the summer hit War For The Planet Of The Apes, which is truly epic and thought-provoking. Fox is taking their survival drama The Mountain Between Us starring Kate Winslet and Idris Elba to Toronto.

I could be wrong, but Keala could become the first Broadway actress to land an Oscar in her first Hollywood film in more recent times! Also, it is an original song in an original Hollywood movie musical! Jennifer Hudson ( who came from American Idol, a show on FOX TV) was reprising on the big screen the role and the singing made legendary by Jennifer Holliday from DREAMGIRLS on Broadway.

There is more in store for FOX and Chairman/CEO Stacey Snider -- maybe even LOGAN, THE PAPERS ( with Spielberg/Streep/Hanks) and of course THE GREATEST SHOWMAN.

Jo

[jo]

I am curious ( and hopeful) -- will Hugh have a showstopper song...or maybe a showstopper song-and-dance number in the film, too ?


Jo

[jo]

VanityFair agrees with the applause for Keala --

www.vanityfair.com/hollywood/2017/08/the-actors-grabbing-awards-voters-attention

The evening’s standout was a face likely unfamiliar to many Globes voters—Keala Settle, the Broadway performer who plays the bearded woman in The Greatest Showman, Fox’s upcoming musical about P.T. Barnum. Settle sang a rousing rendition of “The Greatest Love of All,” snapping the chatty ballroom to attention and staking an early claim to this awards season’s most intriguing newcomer.

[jo]

The Greatest Showman is already showing its creative strengths -- will it get Oscar nominations for CINEMATOGRAPHY? For COSTUMES? For HAIR & MAKEUP? For PRODUCTION DESIGN? For SOUND? For BEST ORIGINAL SONG? Maybe even for FILM SCORING?

[jo]

deadline.com/2017/08/academy-president-john-bailey-interview-diversity-best-picture-oscar-academy-museum-1202148924/

The new AMPAS president John Bailey, 74-year old former cinematographer but AMPAS Board of Governors member for a long time, white. male, was recently interviewed by DEADLINE -- it looks like he is going on a similar advocacy as the past president ( even if the speculation with his election was that it signaled a desire of the old-boys-club at the AMPAS to a return to old practices) --

He also has put his money where his mouth is when it comes to the hot button issue of diversity that exploded at the Academy during two consecutive years when not a single actor of color was Oscar- nominated. He believes it has to start in the industry itself, that the Academy can only do so much in finding qualified members with a career befitting entry into the group. “I have been hiring men and women of different ethnic, socio economic and racial types ever since I have been shooting movies because it is important to me. This whole notion of the Academy moving toward diversity I completely support and laud, realizing there is only so much the Academy can do,” he said pointing out that it needs to start with the studios, and in particular the casting directors who not only have to be color blind, but ethnicity blind and gender blind going forward, even when the script calls for something else in many cases. Among those officers serving with him on the new Board as Secretary is indeed a casting director, David Rubin who unsuccessfully ran for the President’s job last week, losing to Bailey.

*I hope that the diversity/inclusivity/acceptance theme in THE GREATEST SHOWMAN will be an eye-opener for audiences/AMPAS as a movie dealing with the subject in a big and strongly positive manner ( rather than just adding one or two honorees who are of different races/gender/sexuality/etc in recognizing people involved in the entire film-making process). Hopefully, that a movie is out there which glorifies the diversity theme should make people at the AMPAS give it an excellent chance to be lauded!


*I hope they also think that diversity includes not having the same actors being honored year after year or film after film -- I cannot believe that they have a monopoly on talent! Also, that acting honors should not be monopolized by dramatic movies actors/indie actors/dramatic biopics actors only. No flavor of the months either because the movie is different, not because it is outstanding in all respects.

Jo

[jo]

Jeffrey Wells of HOLLYWOOD ELSEWHERE continues to champion THE GREATEST SHOWMAN as an Oscar contender --

www.hollywood-elsewhere.com/

Of the 13 likely Best Picture contenders on HE’s Oscar Spitball chart, I’ve only seen four — Dunkirk, Call Me By Your Name, War For The Planet of the Apes and Get Out. But I’ve read scripts or heard enough about the other nine to know they’ll be in the mix, almost for sure. The ones closer to the the top look stronger, of course, but you knew that. Who knows how things’ll shake out four and five months hence, but it’s these 13, trust me. If I’m missing a title or two…naah, this is it.

Dunkirk (the only one of the exalted thirteen that isn’t a personal journey tale) is ranked first because everyone’s seen it and unanimously agrees it’s a Best Picture contender. Call Me By Your Name is an easy inclusion — has been since last January’s Sundance Film Festival debut. I’ve seen 10 or 12 minutes of Downsizing and read a draft of the script — it’s in there. Sally Hawkins‘ wordless performance in Guillermo del Toro‘s The Shape of Water is a Best Actress lock, but I’m also 85% persuaded that it’s GDT’s personal best since Pan’s Labrynth, and Lord knows he’s due. I’ve read Dan Gilroy‘s Roman Israel, Esq., and it’s fair to call it a moral-ethical thing along the lines of Sidney Lumet and David Mamet‘s The Verdict.

The Papers is a smart, high-toned, well-textured historical drama with the Spielberg stamp — no denying it. We know that films by Paul Thomas Anderson have rarely kowtowed to Oscar-season criteria, but it’s a likely keeper on the strength of containing Daniel Day Lewis‘s (possibly) final performance. Last March’s Cinemacon preview convinced me that The Greatest Showman will be a Best Picture contender; ditto Battle of the Sexes and Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri — two personal journey sagas (both distributed by Fox Searchlight) that will most likely stick to the ribs. War For The Planet of the Apes is a flat-out masterpiece of its kind. Many have lamented the over-praising of Get Out, but there’s a critical contingent that won’t take the hint and back off. (Somewhere John Carpenter is shaking his head and grinning.)