The China Mail - 'Wicked' tops SAG Awards nominations

"Wicked," the big-screen adaptation of the Broadway smash, earned five nods including for "outstanding performance by a cast" -- the top SAG Awards prize -- lead actress, supporting actor and actress, and stunt ensemble.

Bob Dylan biopic "A Complete Unknown" scored four nominations while surreal narco-musical "Emilia Perez," a major winner at Sunday's Globes, scored three nods.

Those three films will battle with Cannes favorite "Anora," which also had three nominations, and papal thriller "Conclave" for the top cast award, organizers announced.

"The Brutalist," an epic immigrant drama about a Hungarian architect who survives the Holocaust and moves to the United States, was left out of that category, only earning one nomination for Globes winner Adrien Brody.

The SAG Awards are voted on by Hollywood actors, who represent the biggest branch of the membership of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, which votes for the Oscars.

The prizes are therefore closely watched as indicators of who might be in the running for an Academy Award.

Jolie's failure to secure a SAG nomination for her portrayal of opera diva Maria Callas in "Maria" may not bode well for her Oscars hopes.

Vying for lead actress honors with "Wicked" star Cynthia Erivo will be Globes winner Demi Moore for body horror film "The Substance," Pamela Anderson ("The Last Showgirl"), Karla Sofia Gascon ("Emilia Perez") and Mikey Madison ("Anora").

Also left out in that stacked category was Nicole Kidman, who earned critical acclaim for her turn in the steamy "Babygirl" and Globes winner Fernanda Torres, for "I'm Still Here" about Brazil's military dictatorship.

Brody will compete for lead actor honors against Ralph Fiennes in "Conclave," Timothee Chalamet for his turn as Dylan in "A Complete Unknown," Daniel Craig in "Queer" and Colman Domingo for "Sing Sing."

"Wicked" had a difficult night at the Golden Globes, only winning the award for cinematic and box office achievement, but it came roaring back in the SAG nominations, with Ariana Grande and Jonathan Bailey earning individual nods.

The SAG Awards also honor television, with Japanese historical drama "Shogun" -- already a big winner at the Emmys and Golden Globes -- leading with five nominations.

The live in-person announcement of the SAG Awards nominations was cancelled due to the devastating wildfires in the Los Angeles area.

The gala will take place on February 23 in Los Angeles, and will stream live for the second year running on Netflix.

H.Ng--ThChM