Ryan Coogler's supernatural thriller 'Sinners' has become the first film in Academy Awards history to earn 16 nominations, surpassing the previous record of 14 held by 'All About Eve', 'Titanic' and 'La La Land'. The film, starring Michael B Jordan as twin brothers battling vampires in 1930s Mississippi, has grossed $368 million worldwide.
The nominations include best picture, director, leading actor, supporting actor (British actor Delroy Lindo) and supporting actress (British-Nigerian actor Wunmi Mosaku), as well as the Academy's inaugural casting prize. Costume designer Ruth E Carter becomes the most-nominated Black woman in Oscars history with five nods, while cinematographer Autumn Durald Arkapaw is only the fourth woman nominated in her category.
Coogler told Deadline he was surprised by the news, with his father counting the nominations at home. 'My dad was keeping count next to me,' he said. 'And when he said [it was 16], I was like, “Dad, you got it wrong. There’s no way it’s that many.”'
Paul Thomas Anderson's 'One Battle After Another' follows closely with 13 nominations, including best picture and best director. The film's stars Leonardo DiCaprio, Sean Penn and Benicio del Toro were nominated, though Chase Infiniti was a surprise omission from the leading actress category.
Chloé Zhao's 'Hamnet' earned eight nominations, with Jessie Buckley tipped for best actress. Buckley expressed disappointment that co-star Paul Mescal was snubbed in the supporting actor category. 'I think he’s extraordinary in this film,' she told the Hollywood Reporter. 'There’s no part of what I created or what we created in this story which exists without Paul.'
Timothée Chalamet is favourite for best actor for 'Marty Supreme', which took nine nominations. If he wins, he will become the second youngest best actor winner ever, behind Adrien Brody. The ceremony takes place on 15 March.
