The Greatest Showman - Chapter 1178: Absolute Strength

Oscar Nominations Shake-Up

Best Actor nominees: Bradley Cooper for The Line of Happiness, Daniel Day-Lewis for Lincoln, Joaquin Phoenix for The Master, Hugh Jackman for Les Misérables, and the "dark horse"—Renly Hall.

This marks the second major upset in this year's Oscar nominations, following the unexpected omission of Best Director frontrunner Ben Affleck. As the nominations rolled in, another surprise selection reshaped the race.

Throughout the awards season, Denzel Washington had been seen as a strong contender, securing nominations from the Golden Globes, Screen Actors Guild, National Critics Association, and other major bodies. Despite never clinching a win, he was consistently regarded as one of the top three favorites, trailing only Bradley Cooper and Daniel Day-Lewis. Even at the Golden Globes, where Hugh Jackman triumphed in the Musical/Comedy category, Denzel found himself firmly overshadowed by Daniel in the Drama division. He was widely seen as the strongest "runner-up" of the season.

However, when the Oscar nominations were announced, Denzel was left out—replaced by Renly Hall.

Renly's presence in the category was an anomaly. Up until this point, he had only secured two major nominations: one from the New York Film Critics Circle and another from BAFTA. While both are prestigious, they were largely dismissed as sentimental nods—New York being where Renly's career took off, and the UK being his homeland. Few considered them a true predictor of Oscar recognition.

But clearly, the industry underestimated him.

Following Beasts of the Southern Wild and Joaquin Phoenix's The Master, Renly Hall became another independent film actor to break into the Academy's top tier. While his reputation among critics was impeccable, his absence from traditional awards-season campaigning had led many to believe he would be overlooked.

Renly's trajectory mirrors that of Joaquin Phoenix—both earned top honors at prestigious European festivals (Berlin for Transcendence and Venice for The Master), both were lauded for their performances, yet both lacked aggressive Academy public relations campaigns. Yet, with undeniable talent and industry respect, both found themselves on the final nomination list, defying expectations.

The Power of Performance

Daniel Day-Lewis remains the frontrunner. His role in Lincoln has made him the clear favorite, with minimal promotional effort on his part. Unlike other contenders, Daniel's performance speaks for itself, establishing him as the undisputed leader in the category—perhaps even surpassing Anne Hathaway's dominance in Best Supporting Actress. If he wins, it will be his third Best Actor trophy, a historic achievement.

Renly, meanwhile, has defied the odds. His nomination challenges the notion that Oscars are becoming mere publicity contests, reinforcing that raw talent still holds weight in Hollywood.

The same can be said for films like Beasts of the Southern Wild and Amour. After last year's chaotic awards season, this year's Oscars have shown a willingness to acknowledge artistic merit over studio politics—though Ben Affleck's snub remains an open wound that could influence the final voting process.

Interestingly, the Best Actor nominations perfectly align with those of the New York Film Critics Circle and BAFTA, further validating Renly's place among the elite.

A Historic Milestone

With this nomination, Renly has now earned Oscar nods for three consecutive years. If he continues this streak into next year, he will join the ranks of legends like Marlon Brando and Al Pacino. No wonder critics are quick to label him the "Brando of the 21st Century."

This comparison is not about acting style, but about impact—both actors achieved rapid success at a young age, cementing their place in Hollywood with sheer talent. While Brando's career spanned decades, Renly's journey is still unfolding. Nonetheless, he has seamlessly transitioned from his phenomenal 2012 into an equally impressive awards season.

Despite Transcendence not performing as well at the box office as anticipated, and its awards-season momentum faltering, Renly has proven that his career is far from stalling. Many critics had prematurely dubbed Transcendence his first professional misstep, with some even questioning the commercial viability of his upcoming project, Gravity. However, his Oscar nomination has swiftly silenced these doubts, marking yet another milestone in his meteoric rise.

The Weinstein Factor

Curiously, Weinstein Pictures—despite not having direct competition with Transcendence—found itself at the center of controversy once again. Following the nomination announcements, industry sources reported that Harvey Weinstein had an explosive reaction, allegedly smashing a champagne bucket, vandalizing a locker at his tennis club, and even damaging a Lamborghini in a fit of rage.

Weinstein had mounted an aggressive campaign to secure wins for his studio's films, but once again, Renly had managed to bypass his influence and claim a nomination. This only adds fuel to the ongoing "Renly vs. Harvey" industry narrative—one that, for now, Renly appears to be winning.

The Impact Beyond Awards

Ultimately, whether or not Renly wins the Oscar is secondary. The nomination alone serves as a powerful endorsement of Transcendence, significantly boosting its visibility and reinforcing the importance of independent cinema.

Director Tony Kaye, who had remained largely indifferent to awards chatter, reached out to Renly with an email after the announcement:

"It's surprising to see this film gaining recognition here [Romania]. Thanks to the Oscar nomination, more countries are now interested in distribution, and more independent filmmakers feel encouraged. This is the real victory.

If this nomination can also draw attention to the educational themes in Transcendence, that would be even better. I'm considering leveraging the Oscar buzz to launch a U.S. tour focusing on education in underprivileged areas. This is the future of our country."

For Tony, the nomination is just a trophy—it doesn't change his core mission. But his willingness to capitalize on it speaks volumes about the Academy Awards' enduring influence.

The Road to the Oscars

With the nominations locked in, Los Angeles is abuzz with speculation. While Ben Affleck's snub and the surprising recognition for Beasts of the Southern Wild and Amour dominate headlines, Renly has managed to stay relatively under the radar, allowing him to focus on filming Inside Llewyn Davis without distraction.

The third and final stage of the awards season has begun. The race to Oscar night is officially on!