Oscar Predictions: Best Production Design

This year, Oscar nominations will be announced on Monday, January 13th. I’ll be offering detailed predictions in most of the major categories.

Last year’s nominees: Black Panther, The Favourite, First Man, Mary Poppins Returns, Roma

This year’s locks: Once Upon a Time in Hollywood

Very likely: The Irishman, 1917

Possible: Joker, Little Women, Jojo Rabbit, Parasite, Aladdin, Ford v Ferrari, Rocketman, Downton Abbey, A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood

Unlikely: Cats

The rundown: One of the reference points for this category is the Art Directors Guild, which has three separate major categories – period, fantasy, and contemporary. All of the period nominees - 1917, Ford v Ferrari, Jojo Rabbit, Joker, Once Upon a Time in Hollywood, and The Irishman - could easily be nominated. Among the fantasy list, Aladdin is the one that stands the best chance, and Parasite or A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood are the contemporary honorees likeliest to translate to the Oscar list. Don’t count out The Lion King from the animated list also. From those not cited by the ADG, Little Women is likeliest to show up, along with other options like Rocketman or Downton Abbey. I think the ship has sailed for Cats, but it’s always possible.

One possible crazy scenario: It’s not that crazy, but Portrait of a Lady on Fire could benefit from a swell of support to honor its beautiful sets.

Forecasted winner: It depends on who gets nominated, but I think Once Upon a Time in Hollywood triumphs here.