The Upcoming 96th Academy Awards: Wagering Title Favoritism Falls on Oppenheimer
On March 10, the 96th Academy Awards will be held at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles. A month prior to the awards, both the nominations and the potential winners are the talk of the town. Here's a recap of which films, actors, and directors have a chance of success according to the betting odds.
Best Picture
The Best Picture category is one of the most significant at the Oscars. Last year, a particular film caught many people's attention: Oppenheimer.
Bookmakers view this historical drama as the top favorite in the Best Picture category:
- Oppenheimer: 1.14
- Poor Things: 10.00
- The Holdovers: 13.00
- Anatomy of a Fall: 21.00
- Barbie: 21.00
- The Zone of Interest: 21.00
- Killers of the Flower Moon: 29.00
- American Fiction: 51.00
- Past Lives: 81.00
- Maestro: 100.00
The film Oppenheimer, based on real-life events, narrates the life story of J. Robert Oppenheimer, famously known as the father of the atomic bomb. During World War II, he led the Manhattan Project in the U.S., responsible for developing a nuclear weapon.
The film has moved audiences with its remarkable portrayal of Oppenheimer's inner turmoil. The grand productions, including the first atomic test, have also left a lasting impression. Oppenheimer has been nominated for a total of 13 Oscars.
Best Actor
The Best Actor category falls under the so-called Big Five at the Oscars, which are the five most important categories of the awards ceremony.
Betting odds see Cillian Murphy as the clear-cut favorite for his portrayal of J. Robert Oppenheimer in this category:
- Cillian Murphy – Oppenheimer: 1.44
- Paul Giamatti – The Holdovers: 3.25
- Bradley Cooper – Maestro: 10.00
- Jeffrey Wright – American Fiction: 26.00
- Colman Domingo – Rustin: 34.00
Irish actor Cillian Murphy has been lauded for his exceptional performance after the premiere of Oppenheimer. Many viewers felt he authentically embodied the quiet physicist despite the lengthy dialogues, imbuing the character with life and tension.
This is the first Oscar nomination for the 47-year-old Murphy, who has already appeared in numerous high-profile films. However, he gained significant popularity in 2013 when he played the lead role in the series Peaky Blinders – Gangs of Birmingham.
Best Actress
In addition to the best actor, the Best Actress will be awarded at the 96th Oscars. Bookmakers give Emma Stone and Lily Gladstone good odds of winning:
- Emma Stone – Poor Things: 1.80
- Lily Gladstone – Killers of the Flower Moon: 2.50
- Sandra Hüller – Anatomy of a Fall: 15.00
- Carey Mulligan – Maestro: 41.00
- Annette Bening – Nyad: 51.00
The Best Actress category has been a popular topic in the media in recent weeks. Critics have criticized that Margot Robbie was not nominated for her role as Barbie.
On the other hand, Lily Gladstone's nomination has made headlines: she is the first indigenous woman to be nominated for an Oscar. According to the betting odds, it could be a close race between her and Emma Stone in this category.
Oppenheimer and Barbie win at the Grammy Awards
Typically, the Grammy Awards take place around a month before the Oscars. The Grammy winners often serve as early indicators for the upcoming Oscars.
This year, the Grammys were held on February 5. Among the winners were the films Oppenheimer and Barbie. Barbie The Album, the soundtrack to the film, won Best Compilation Soundtrack for Visual Media.
Oppenheimer has won the Grammy for Best Compiled Soundtrack for Visual Media.
Best Director
In the Best Director category, Christopher Nolan is way ahead of his competition, according to the bookmakers. Nolan, who directed the film Oppenheimer, is considered the clear favorite:
- Christopher Nolan – Oppenheimer: 1.05
- Yorgos Lanthimos – Poor Things: 17.00
- Martin Scorsese – Killers of the Flower Moon: 17.00
- Justine Triet – Anatomy of a Fall: 19.00
- Jonathan Glazer – The Zone of Interest: 21.00
Christopher Nolan is regarded as one of the most successful directors of all time. He has directed numerous well-known films, such as Dunkirk, The Dark Knight, Inception, or Memento.
Nolan is also known for his intricate storytelling and has been nominated over 100 times for various awards. Although he has been nominated for an Oscar eight times, he has never won. This could change this year, as he is nominated for Oppenheimer in three categories.
Best Adapted Screenplay
The award for Best Adapted Screenplay is also among the Big Five at the Oscars. According to the betting odds, Oppenheimer is also leading in this category:
- Oppenheimer: 1.00
- Barbie: 3.50
- American Fiction: 4.00
- Poor Things: 6.00
- The Zone of Interest: 21.00
Looks like Barbie and American Fiction might shine at this year's Oscars too. The prize in this category is up for grabs, making the event rather intriguing.
Is Oppenheimer set to be the night's main event at the 2023 Oscars?
Peering into the odds for the Main Five, Oppenheimer and its crew might emerge as the main winners at this year's Oscars. Some categories, for instance, Best Actress, don't have a clear frontrunner as of now. So, the event might also serve up some unexpected twists.
The 96th Oscars will unfold on March 10 in LA. If you're in Germany and wish to catch the live broadcast, tune into ProSieben in the early hours of March 11. For the budget-conscious, there's a free live stream available on Joyn.
The news of the betting odds for the 96th Academy Awards has sparked conversations about potential winners, with Oppenheimer being the favorite in the Best Picture category. In the Best Actor category, Cillian Murphy's performance as J. Robert Oppenheimer has impressed critics and viewers, making him the clear-cut favorite. After winning at the Grammy Awards, Oppenheimer is also leading in the Best Adapted Screenplay category, making many wonder if it will be the night's main event at the 2023 Oscars.
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