According to Variety on 8/12, the organizers announced the nominations for next year's awards season. The third installment of the popular science fiction series is competing against films such as F1, Sinners, Weapons, Wicked: For Good, Zootopia 2, Kpop Demon Hunters, and Mission: Impossible - The Final Reckoning. Experts consider this a rare instance of an unreleased blockbuster being honored at these awards, reflecting the commercial influence of the franchise directed by James Cameron.
The best cinematic and box office achievement category at the Golden Globes first appeared in 2024, recognizing quality films that achieve significant box office success. Key criteria include a minimum global revenue of 150 million USD (with at least 100 million USD from the US market) or high viewership on streaming platforms.
"Avatar: Fire and Ash" is set after the events of the second installment, "The Way of Water", following the Sully family as they face new losses and threats from the Ash People—a group of Na'vi living in a volcanic environment, led by Varang. The film sees the return of cast members including Sam Worthington, Zoe Saldaña, Sigourney Weaver, Stephen Lang, and Kate Winslet.
On 2/12, the film received widespread acclaim at its press premiere event in Los Angeles, My. According to Variety, many critics noted that the film offers a large-scale cinematic experience, effectively combining visual elements with story development.
Perri Nemiroff, a writer for the film specialized website Collider, commented that James Cameron significantly increased the production complexity for this return. The action and visual effects, when screened in 3D format, were highly praised, immersing viewers in the world of Pandora. The expansion of the setting with new lands and previously unseen tribes helps develop the plot for subsequent installments.
Released in 2009, "Avatar" surpassed "Titanic" to become the highest-grossing film of all time and initiated a 3D technology revolution, earning over 5,2 billion USD. Over the past 13 years, James Cameron has focused on technology research and script development for the sequels. "The Way of Water" and "Fire and Ash" were written by Cameron, Rick Jaffa, and Amanda Silver; the original story was intended as one part but was divided into two. The future of the franchise depends on the box office performance of the third installment, while Cameron has already planned five films, with the fourth scheduled for release on 21/12/2029 and the fifth on 19/12/2031.
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A scene from "Avatar 3". Photo: Walt Disney Studios/Empire |
In traditional cinema, "One Battle After Another" leads with nine nominations, followed by "Sentimental Value" and "Sinners" with eight and seven nominations respectively. Paul Thomas Anderson received a nomination for best director, while Leonardo DiCaprio and Chase Infiniti were nominated for best lead actor, alongside supporting awards for Benicio Del Toro, Sean Penn, and Teyana Taylor.
For television, "The White Lotus" leads with six nominations, followed by "Adolescence" in five categories. Series such as "Severance" and "Only Murders in the Building" are competing in the best drama series, best musical or comedy series, and best limited or anthology series categories.
The Golden Globe Awards are operated by Eldridge Industries and Dick Clark Productions (DCP), after the Hollywood Foreign Press Association sold all its assets, rights, and program ownership in 6/2023. Starting from the 2024 awards season, each category features six nominees, instead of the previous five. The 83rd awards ceremony will take place on 11/1/2026, broadcast on CBS and Paramount+, with Nikki Glaser returning as host for the second consecutive year.
Cat Tien (according to Variety)
