Universal Positions Anne Hathaway for Supporting Actress Oscar in 'The Odyssey'
Universal Pictures has decided to campaign Anne Hathaway for the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress for her role as Penelope in Christopher Nolan's 'The Odyssey.' This strategic move places her in a less crowded category than Best Actress and positions the studio to potentially secure two supporting actress nominations from the same film, a rare feat in Oscar history. Hathaway, who previously won the award in 2013, is now a contender for a second win, which would make her only the third woman in history to achieve this milestone.
Key points
- Universal Pictures is campaigning Anne Hathaway for Best Supporting Actress for her role as Penelope in 'The Odyssey.'
- The film has grossed over $1.6 billion worldwide, making it a major contender for Best Picture.
- Hathaway's placement in the supporting category avoids a direct competition with Julianne Moore, who is favored in the Best Actress race.
- If Hathaway wins, she would become only the third woman to win the Supporting Actress Oscar twice, joining Dianne Wiest and Shelley Winters.
- Universal is also campaigning Matt Damon for Best Actor and Samantha Morton for Supporting Actress, potentially creating a historic double-nomination scenario.
Background
Anne Hathaway has had a prolific 2026, starring in 'The Devil Wears Prada 2,' 'The Odyssey,' and 'The End of Oak Street.' She previously won the Supporting Actress Oscar in 2013 for 'Les Misérables.' The 'The Odyssey' campaign is part of a broader strategy by Universal to maximize nominations across multiple categories, including technical and acting awards.
Why it matters
The decision to place Hathaway in the supporting category is a calculated move to maximize her chances of winning and to secure multiple nominations for 'The Odyssey.' It also highlights the strategic importance of category placement in Oscar campaigns, where studios often weigh the competition and the potential for multiple wins. Hathaway's potential second win would be a historic achievement, underscoring her status as a marquee name in the industry.
What to watch
The Academy Awards nominations are expected to be announced in early 2027. Universal will continue its campaign for 'The Odyssey' across multiple categories, including Best Picture, Best Director, and technical awards. The outcome of the Supporting Actress race will depend on the strength of the competition and the Academy's preferences for established favorites in major prestige films.
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