Literary adaptations dominated the Oscar nominations, with the three most nominated films all based on books.
Oppenheimer, based on Kai Bird and Martin J. Sherwin’s American Prometheus: The Triumph and Tragedy of J. Robert Oppenheimer, led the pack with 13 nominations, including ones for best picture, best director (Christopher Nolan), best actor (Cillian Murphy), best actress (Emily Blunt), best supporting actor (Robert Downey Jr.), and best adapted screenplay (Nolan).
Poor Things, an adaptation of Alasdair Gray’s novel, earned 11 nods, garnering a best picture nomination along with ones for best director (Yorgos Lanthimos), best actress (Emma Stone), best supporting actor (Mark Ruffalo), and best adapted screenplay (Tony McNamara).
That film was followed closely by Killers of the Flower Moon, based on David Grann’s nonfiction book, with 10 nominations, including best picture, best director (Martin Scorsese), best actress (Lily Gladstone), and best supporting actor (Robert De Niro).
Two other best picture nominees were literary adaptations: American Fiction, based on Percival Everett’s novel Erasure, and The Zone of Interest, based on Martin Amis’ novel of the same name.
Two films in the best animated feature film category were inspired by YA graphic novels: Nimona, an adaptation of ND Stevenson’s novel, and Robot Dreams, based on Sara Varon’s book.
The winners of the awards will be announced at a televised ceremony on March 10.
Michael Schaub is a contributing writer.
