Oscars rumorbusting: Is Cate Blanchett really switching to lead?
Don’t necessarily believe a rumor currently making the rounds that Cate Blanchett has switched her Oscar bid for "I'm Not There" from the supporting race to lead now that "Elizabeth: The Golden Age" has tanked. Sure, director Todd Haynes is pulling for it since Blanchett appears in more than 40 minutes of his film, but Weinstein studio exex and Oscar consultants have not signed off on the change and are now trying "to get to the bottom of this rumor." Just because there's a new opening in the lead race doesn't mean that it's Blanchett's best Oscar strategy. Granted, there's the possibility that the switcheroo may be made after all principals discuss the issue further, but, as of now, Blanchett remains in supporting, studio sources tell The Envelope.
Whether the rumour is true or not, I think the switch would be a very good move. I agree that she has the Supporting Actress race pretty much tied up, but the problem is, if she wins a second supporting award, it's unlikely that she'll ever win Best Actress. (Hell, they haven't even giving Meryl Streep a third Oscar yet.) As one of the most foremost leading ladies of her generation, I'm sure she'd like to win that lead award. So challenging for Best Actress makes sense in terms of her career Oscar prospects.
And for what it's worth, I think she would have an excellent chance of winning Best Actress this year - given that the field is quite weak and the heavily weighted in favour of the Academy's least favourite genre - comedy. The performance has enough 'wow' factor to counter any concerns about screen time.
Posted by: Rob | November 26, 2007 at 10:06 AM
If I'm right, can't the Academy place Cate wherever they want for the Oscar? Even if she submits for Best Actress, they can move her to Supporting. As much as she (and her people) may like to win a Best Actress trophy, she WILL WIN if she stays in supporting. She can clear off a place on the mantle right now. (If she does, will she set a record for winning in the same category and portraying real people?)
Posted by: junior | November 26, 2007 at 09:46 AM
So it's just a rumor then?
But of course, everybody is now confused about what category to put her in and of course, I doubt that Universal isn't going to drop it's Best Actress campaign for her in "Elizabeth:The Golden Age"....or are they?
This could lead to that worst of Awards' illness-
Category Confusion.
And Category Confusion + Vote Splitting (Blanchett's supporters split btwn "I'm Not There" and "Elizabeth")=
Awards Death
Which means no nominations for her at all...
IF this rumor is true...
Posted by: Stephen Holt | November 26, 2007 at 09:14 AM
worst. rumor. ever.
She's basically a lock to win in Supporting...why would she give up a SECOND Oscar? it just makes the Supporting Actress race even more embarrassing.
I still say--regardless of Cate's switch--it'll be Linney v. Adams for the win.
Posted by: starbucks10172 | November 26, 2007 at 07:45 AM