The 2021 Oscars might just be over, but with cinemas reopening next week, sights have been firmly set towards nexts year's Awards and the films that are in contention. While many of the old Oscars favourites have already been highlighted (biopics, star-studded dramas and the likes), this year is set to be a huge year for the movie musical.
As a result of delayed releases because of the pandemic, there are now four standout musical adaptations hitting our screens this year, and there is every chance that they could scoop some of the most coveted nominations and awards of the season. With this in mind, let's take a look at the movie musicals we can expect to see in cinemas this year, and the awards races they could feature heavily in.
In The Heights
Kicking off the summer movie season is the adaptation of Hamilton creator Lin-Manuel Miranda's first broadway hit, In The Heights in cinemas this June. Directed by Jon M. Chu, who rose to prominence with the wildly successful Crazy Rich Asains, the film will be a very likely contender in the Best Picture race. Sound and music nominations are also likely, and I reckon that leading man and Hamilton alum Anthony Ramos is an underdog for a Best Actor nomination. The film could also feature in the Best Adapted Screenplay race, with Quiara Alegría Hudes adopting her own book of the musical.
Everybody's Talking About Jamie
The adaptation of the West End Musical, with follows 16-year old Jamie New as he overcomes prejudice and bullying to follow his dream of becoming a Drag Queen, is set to hit cinemas in September. Of all of the musical adaptations being released this year, this will likely make the least noise on the American awards circuit but will almost certainly dominate at the BAFTAs. A category where the film could feature in the stateside awards race is Best Supporting Actor, a nomination for Richard E. Grant in his role as Jamie's mentor and Drag Queen Loco Chanelle wouldn't be surprising.
Dear Evan Hansen
Since the release of the film's trailer, much of the discourse surrounding the Dear Evan Hansen adaptation has centred on the casting of the 27-year-old Ben Platt as the 16-year-old titular character. Reprising his Tony award winning performance in the broadway production, Platt (who is the son of the film's producer Marc Platt), has been the subject of numerous memes about his look in the trailer. The musical centres on Evan Hansen, an anxious teenager who gets caught up in a lie about his relationship with a classmate who recently committed suicide. Casting controversy aside, Ben Platt will likely feature heavily in the Best Actor race. The film itself could be an underdog for a Best Picture nomination, but I reckon it could be muscled out of the category by In The Heights and West Side Story. A Best Adapted Screenplay nomination could also be possible with some music nominations thrown in, but in an industry that's been rocked with issues of discrimination, sexism and lack of diversity, its arguably the least likely of all of the adaptations to feature heavily in the Oscars race.
West Side Story
Remake of a beloved musical? Check
Starring an acting legend and original cast member? Check
Strong ensemble cast? Check
Directed and Produced by Steven Spielberg? Check
You win West Side Story, come collect your dozens of Oscars.
All joking aside if we were ever going to see a repeat of a musical securing the most nominations in Oscar's history (as La La Land managed in 2017), it will be Steven Speilberg's West Side Story remake. I'd bet my house on it securing Best Picture, Director, Costumes, Production Design, Make-Up and Hairstyling nominations. Sound, Music and Adapted Screenplay noms are also likely and don't be surprised to see acting nominations for breakout star Rachel Zegler and a Best Supporting Actress nomination (an award which she won in 1962 for her role as Anita in the original film) for living legend and icon Rita Moreno.
It might still be early days, but early thoughts suggest that the 2022 awards season could be dominated by movie musicals, something which I can't wait to see unfold.
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