Matt Damon, Adam Sandler, all female directors get snubbed by Golden Globes nominations
What?! No Matt Damon? Did they forget about "Us"?
The Golden Globes nominations are here to officially kick awards season into gear, with the Hollywood Foreign Press Association adding heat to the Oscar race by declaring their favorite picks Monday. (This includes an upcoming showdown between Beyonce and Taylor Swift, who are nominated for best original song for "The Lion King" and "Cats," respectively.)
As "Marriage Story" made a big move toward Oscar gold, leading the Golden Globe Awards field with six nominations, who got left out in the cold? These are the most notable snubs in the 2020 Golden Globes nominations.
'Cats'
The upcoming Tom Hooper-directed feline musical, which hits theaters Dec. 20, is the kind of star-packed project that the HFPA loves. But the film has been under wraps as it approaches its release date, and the voting group, which historically loves musicals, only recently was able to screen an unfinished version. The late viewing may have hurt its chances, though T-Swift and Andrew Lloyd Webber were nominated for their new song, "Beautiful Ghosts."
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'Ford v Ferrari'
This epic car drama ran out of gas when it hit the HFPA. Despite stellar performances by Christian Bale (who was nominated) and Matt Damon (who was shockingly snubbed, see below), it seemed the tale couldnât edge out other dramas in a competitive year. Formerly a Fox title, now Disneyâs biggest awards contender (other than âFrozen 2â), the film may have to fight even harder as the Oscars ballots go out.
Golden Globes 2020:'Marriage Story' leads the Globes field with 6 nominations, including best drama
Who got nominated for Globes?Here's the full list
Matt Damon, 'Ford v Ferrari'
Even though the Globes split categories between drama and musical/comedy, a tight lead actor race looks to have hurt Damon this year, no matter his golden performance as car designer Carroll Shelby in the racing film. Damon was previously nominated seven times at the Globes, winning best actor in 2016 for âThe Martianâ and best screenplay in 1998 for âGood Will Hunting.â
'Us'
No love for Jordan Peele? The writer/director was ignored by the HFPA Monday, despite his last effort, âGet Out,â being nominated at the 2018 Globes (albeit in the odd category of comedy/musical). What gives? It doesnât help that âUs,â Peeleâs latest horror film, debuted in March and may not have been top of mind for Globes voters who were considering newer fare.
Greta Gerwig, 'Little Women'
Itâs pretty shocking that Gerwig was left off the Globesâ favorite directors list, given the response in Hollywood to her adaptation of âLittle Women,â which she also wrote. The film also surprised by not making best drama. Many are predicting justice for Gerwig at the Oscars this year, particularly after her first nominations for directing and writing with 2017's âLady Bird.â
All female directors
It wasnât just Gerwig who was egregiously passed over. Lulu Wang, who directed "The Farewell,â was snubbed by the Globes voting body, as was Marielle Heller (âA Beautiful Day in the Neighborhoodâ) and Lorene Scafaria (âHustlersâ). These movies didnât direct themselves, and it's notable that the HFPA has nominated women in the category only seven times in its 75-year history. Just ask Natalie Portman.
Robert De Niro, 'The Irishman'
De Niro is the central figure of âThe Irishman,â which cleaned up with Globes nominations for best motion picture/drama, a best director nod for Martin Scorsese and supporting acting nods for Al Pacino and Joe Pesci. But the actor was ignored, with Christian Bale (âFord v Ferrariâ), Antonio Banderas (âPain and Gloryâ), Adam Driver (âMarriage Storyâ), Joaquin Phoenix (âJokerâ) and Jonathan Pryce (âThe Two Popesâ) filling the best actor in a drama category instead.
Adam Sandler, 'Uncut Gems'
Sandler has been wowing with his tense drama â and has been working the rooms lately. So it was a surprise to see him also left off the list of best actor/drama nominations, even in a competitive year. (It may have hurt him that the film was entered as a musical/comedy but was deemed a drama by the Globes' voting body.)
'Hustlers'
J. Lo is an undeniable force this awards season, and everyone expected her best supporting actress nod Monday. (She'll compete against Kathy Bates, "Richard Jewell," Annette Bening, "The Report," Laura Dern, "Marriage Story," and Margot Robbie, "Bombshell.") But seeing âHustlersâ absent from film nominations is surprising, especially as it was entered in the âŠ. musical/comedy category.
Lupita Nyongâo
Listen, Nyongâo played not one but two parts in Peeleâs latest nail-biting horror film, âUs.â And no nomination? For shame.
Sandra Oh, 'Killing Eve'
After winning the award for best actress in a TV drama at last yearâs Globes (and co-hosting the affair with Andy Samberg), Oh didnât garner a nomination for the second season of âEve.â Ohâs co-star Jodie Comer, who won this award at the Emmys in September, was included in the category, which featured both Jennifer Aniston and Reese Witherspoon for Apple TV+âs critically maligned âMorning Show.â
'When They See Us'
Ava DuVernayâs acclaimed miniseries about the exonerated âCentral Park Fiveâ received numerous Emmy nominations this year, walking away with two trophies, including best actor in a miniseries or TV movie for Jharrel Jerome. But âWhen They See Usâ was left off the Globes list, made all the more conspicuous in a year with little diversity among the nominees.
'Watchmen'
HBOâs modern take on the classic comic book story has been adored by critics and has garnered awards buzz as its nine-episode season has unfolded, but the HFPA seems to have missed it. No love for the series, or big-name stars Regina King (a Globe winner last year for âIf Beale Street Could Talkâ), Jean Smart or Jeremy Irons.
Meryl Streep, Timothee Chalamet and Florence Pugh, 'Little Women'
Oscar favorite Chalamet was shut out of the best supporting actor category, which this year focused on older prestige stars: Tom Hanks for "A Beautiful Day," Anthony Hopkins for "The Two Popes," Pacino and Pesci for "The Irishman" and Brad Pitt for "Once Upon a Time in Hollywood." And while Pugh gives new life and verve to Amy March (long the most-judged sister of the March clan), her newcomer status may have cost her a nod. In fact, Saoirse Ronan received the sole acting nomination for "Little Women" for her feisty portrayal of Jo March, which means Meryl Streep, who plays a delightfully crotchety Aunt March, was snubbed, too.
Contributing: Kelly Lawler