Universal ramps up push for The Odyssey as awards season heats up

Christopher Nolan’s The Odyssey is positioned as the front-runner for the 2027 Academy Awards. Industry projections released on November 5 indicate the film will receive 14 nominations. This total would tie the record for the second-most nominations in history. That mark is shared by All About Eve, Titanic, and La La Land. The current all-time record stands at 16 nominations, a figure set by Sinners last year.

Universal Pictures is intensifying its marketing efforts for the film. The studio begins its official campaign the week of November 9. The plan includes a rigorous schedule of screenings and question-and-answer sessions. Director Christopher Nolan, producer Emma Thomas, and star Matt Damon will meet with voters nearly every night for two weeks. This high-frequency engagement is designed to maximize voter interest in the top categories.

The independent sector is adjusting its strategy in response to recent developments. Nathan Fielder’s You Can See Everything will not compete for the Directors Guild of America Award this season. The film was directed by Lance Oppenheim. Despite missing the DGA race, the movie remains a candidate for Best Picture and Adapted Screenplay. These nominations suggest the film retains strong support in other key categories.

Acting campaigns are also entering a new phase. Zendaya will campaign for the lead actress award for her role as Chani in Dune: Part Three. This marks her entry into the lead race for the final chapter of Denis Villeneuve’s series. Mubi is pursuing a different approach with the film Rose. The studio will campaign for Sandra Hüller in the lead actress category and Hanns Zischler in the supporting actor category.

Golden Globe submissions have been finalized, revealing a competitive field. Jordan Firstman submitted Club Kid, his feature debut as writer, director, and star, in the drama categories. Amazon MGM Studios is fielding two entries in the musical or comedy category. Project Hail Mary, directed by Phil Lord and Chris Miller and starring Ryan Gosling, is one contender. I Play Rocky, directed by Peter Farrelly and starring Anthony Ippolito, is the other.

Several other major releases are expected to influence specific technical and acting categories. These include Dune: Part Three, The Further Mis-Adventures of Cliff Booth directed by David Fincher, and Avengers: Doomsday from the Russo brothers. Robert Eggers’ Werwulf is also anticipated to make an impact. Campaigns for these titles are ramping up as the season progresses.

Key dates for the upcoming season are now set. The Governors Awards will take place on Sunday, November 15. This event will present honorary Oscars to Glenn Close and Ridley Scott. Preliminary voting for Oscar shortlists in 12 categories runs from December 7 to 11. The shortlist announcement is scheduled for Tuesday, December 15.

The eligibility period closes on December 31, 2026. Nominations voting will occur from January 11 to 15, 2027. The Academy will announce the official nominations on Thursday, January 21, 2027. Universal Pictures leads the studio projections with 16 expected nominations. A24 follows with 14, while Netflix and Warner Bros. are tied with 13 each.

In the acting categories, predictions favor Andrew Scott for Best Actor in Elsinore. Julianne Moore is projected for Best Actress in The Debut. Andrew Garfield is expected to receive a nomination for Best Supporting Actor in Artificial. Anne Hathaway is predicted for Best Supporting Actress in The Odyssey. The 99th Oscars ceremony will be held on Sunday, March 14, 2027, at the Dolby Theatre at Ovation Hollywood. Conan O’Brien will host the event, which will air live at 7 p.m. ET on ABC.