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Annapurna Pushing James Franco in 'Spring Breakers' for Oscar?
by Alex Billington
October 16, 2012
Source: Showbiz 411
"Spring break… spring break forever…" Say what now? That crazy fool with cornrows and grills is getting an Oscar push? Indeed. One of the most buzzed about indie films from this year's Toronto Film Festival (where I saw it myself) was Harmony Korine's wacky Spring Breakers, a spring break drama starring the likes of James Franco as well as mainly three girls: Selena Gomez, Vanessa Hudgens and Ashley Benson. It was a surprisingly entertaining film and earned lots of fascinating buzz because of Franco's over-the-top but also wildly impressive and layered performance. Now it will get an Oscar-qualifying December opening.
The release news comes from Showbiz 411, where they say that Annapurna Pictures is planning to release Harmony Korine's wacky Spring Breakers limited in December of this year for an Oscar qualifying run "so that Franco is eligible." He would be in the running for Best Supporting Actor, since he's not the lead, but has a chance considering how insanely memorable and wacky yet genuine his performance is, but it reminds me more of Saul from Pineapple Express than anything that would actually earn an Oscar. Are voters going to be interested in this kind of gritty, young, cornrowed patriotically over-the-top character? I'm not so sure.
The report goes on to say that Annapurna Pictures, owned by Megan Ellison who funded The Master, will "get screeners into voters’ hands, and or get Academy members into screening rooms ASAP." It's a very surprising and odd push for a character that, while I loved and was amused by, I don't expect the Academy voters to connect with, especially up against the likes of other films with strong supporting roles including The Master, Argo, Cloud Atlas, Les Miserables, Lincoln and possibly even Django Unchained. However, I will say one thing - when this is released, it's a must see. Pretty much an instant cult classic in the making.
9 Comments
1
I can see it, he's in their "circle" after all. He won't win though, you can't compete with TWC. Am I being too cynical?
Davide Coppola on Oct 16, 2012
2
I think the oscar is going to Denzel for Flight, his character is suppose to have a pretty shitty moral compass, same as his last Oscar worthy performance (I thought he was better and should have gotten one for A Soldier's Story, Glory, and Malcom X, personally). Tom Hanks, Halle Barry, and Anthony Hopkins are in the running also, along with some of the others in the movies named in the article.
Irish003 on Oct 16, 2012
3
I'm not too sure Halle Berry will be much competition for Franco in the supporting actor category
Goose on Oct 16, 2012
4
and why do you say that, Goose?
Halle Berry on Oct 16, 2012
6
He did win the supporting actor oscar for Glory...
Happy camper on Oct 16, 2012
7
I know Franco's got it!! Franco has a way with the various roles he engages in whatever it may be folks he sure is great at his roles and takes each project very seriously and plays them out like a perfectionist lol!! James Franco being “one of the best actors of his generation” an avid A-Lister who has a vision and carries out his craft in such fashion that other A-Listers fail to do which stands him out from the other successful actors in Hollywood. He’s one of the most talented directors an admirable man who has accomplished an indefinite amount of projects I see an Oscar headed toward his direction soon!!
Atasi Mukherjee on Oct 16, 2012
8
Brad Pitt, Killing Them Softly will get a nom. also Joaquin Phoenix for the Master
Brad White on Oct 16, 2012
9
sooner or later this guy is gonna win an oscar, but not in this role. I never seen him in any movie that he does not give a great performance.
truong18 on Oct 16, 2012
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