The Writers Guild is usually the least important of the guild awards, simply because there are so many scripts every year that are ineligible for recognition because they were written by non-Guild members. This year 12 Years a Slave, the likely Oscar winner in this category, is ineligible, as well as Philomena. But the original screenplay contenders were mostly eligible here this year, so these nominees do tell us something:
Original Screenplay
- American Hustle
- Blue Jasmine
- Dallas Buyers Club
- Her
- Nebraska
Adapted Screenplay:
- August: Osage County
- Before Midnight
- Captain Phillips
- Lone Survivor
- The Wolf of Wall Street
What this shows us in the Original category is that Dallas Buyers Club took out Inside Llewyn Davis, which was eligible, and continues the all around strong guild support for that movie, as well as the total lack of it for the Coen Brothers film. If Inside Llewyn Davis comes up empty at the BAFTA nominations on Wednesday, I'll have to assume it may be snubbed for Best Picture after all. The only other surprise nominee here is Lone Survivor filling an empty slot in Adapted, but I think both that and August: Osage County will be replaced by Philomena and 12 Years at the Oscars. However, that Original category may be duplicated exactly at the Oscars, unless Llewyn Davis suddenly has a resurgence within the Academy. The WGA winners are presented on Saturday, February 1st. The next guild up is the Directors Guild, the most important one of all, which announces its nominees on Tuesday.
