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Best Original Screenplay: Finally David O. Russell’s year?

The field seems somewhat narrower in the Original Screenplay race, with Joy and Spotlight battling it out. If Joy truly is going to take over the lead for Best Picture, then it will surely be in the lead here. I’m still sticking with Spotlight, for now, but watch this space.

Two movies that are not in strong Best Picture consideration could make an appearance here. Many hope that Amy Schumer’s Trainwreck gets her some love here. I personally found the story of the bad girl who doesn’t want a boyfriend only to give it all up for that boyfriend to be impossibly clichéd, but I do not have a vote. I’m much more partial to Inside Out, which has not left the conversation for this category since it premiered.

Then of course there is Tarantino’s Hateful Eight. He is a perennial darling of the branch and a multiple past winner, so he likely has a slot here unless the controversy over the movie boils over to a breaking point.

For wildcards, look anywhere from Bridge of Spies (although the screenplay is arguably its weakest element) to Suffragette (again, probably the low point of the movie), to Son of Saul, which could sneak in to this and other categories if it gets enough people to see it. Here are our updated Best Original Screenplay power rankings.

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