Marvel is gunning hard for “Black Panther” to be considered for several major awards at next month’s Oscars ceremony, while its other huge 2018 release, “Avengers: Infinity War” will only be submitted in the visual effects category. But the just-announced nominations from the Visual Effects Society Awards prove that “Infinity War” is already the early favorite to claim the Academy’s statuette.
The VES Awards nominees, announced on Tuesday, were led by “Infinity War,” which nabbed six nods from the group. It will compete against “Ready Player One,” “Solo: A Star Wars Story,” “Christopher Robin,” and “Welcome to Marwen” for the top prize, outstanding visual effects in a photo-real feature.
In a surprise move, the VES awards snubbed two other releases that seem poised for Oscar nods: “Black Panther” and “Mary Poppins Returns.” Neither of those flicks earned a single nomination Tuesday, though both are expected to compete in the more high-profile Oscar categories (including Best Picture and Best Actress, respectively).
The top animated feature contender was “Incredibles 2,” while “Lost in Space” earned the most nominations for a TV series. Winners will be announced at a ceremony on February 5, hosted by Patton Oswalt.
A partial list of nominees is below. For the full slate, check here.
Outstanding Visual Effects in a Photoreal Feature
Avengers: Infinity War
Christopher Robin
Ready Player One
Solo: A Star Wars Story
Welcome to Marwen
Outstanding Supporting Visual Effects in a Photoreal Feature
12 Strong
Bird Box
Bohemian Rhapsody
First Man
Outlaw King
Outstanding Visual Effects in an Animated Feature
Dr. Seuss’ The Grinch
Incredibles 2
Isle of Dogs
Ralph Breaks the Internet
Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse
Outstanding Visual Effects in a Photoreal Episode
Altered Carbon; Out of the Past
Krypton; The Phantom Zone
Lost in Space; Danger, Will Robinson
The Terror; Go For Broke
Westworld; The Passenger
Outstanding Supporting Visual Effects in a Photoreal Episode
Tom Clancy’s Jack Ryan; Pilot
The Alienist; The Boy on the Bridge
The Deuce; We’re All Beasts
The First; Near and Far
The Handmaid’s Tale; June
Outstanding Animated Character in a Photoreal Feature
Avengers: Infinity War; Thanos
Christopher Robin; Tigger
Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom; Indoraptor
Ready Player One; Art3mis
Outstanding Animated Character in an Animated Feature
Dr. Seuss’ The Grinch; The Grinch
Incredibles 2; Helen Parr
Ralph Breaks the Internet; Ralphzilla
Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse; Miles Morales
Outstanding Animated Character in an Episode or Real-Time Project
Cycles; Rae
Lost in Space; Humanoid
Nightflyers; All That We Have Found; Eris
Marvel’s Spider-Man; Doc Ock
[via: Visual Effects Society]
When you get “Lost in Space,” you end up finding both dangers and wonders.