'Spotlight,' 'The Big Short,' 'Straight Outta Compton' Land Writers Guild Nominations

AWARDS BEAT

Oscar favorites “Spotlight,” “The Big Short” and “The Martian” were nominated by the Writers Guild of America on Wednesday morning, along with “Steve Jobs,” “Trainwreck” and “Straight Outta Compton,” among others.

In the Original Screenplay category, “Spotlight,” “Straight Outta Compton” and “Trainwreck” were joined by “Sicario” and “Bridge of Spies.”

In Adapted Screenplay, nominees were “The Big Short,” “The Martian,” “Steve Jobs,” “Carol” and “Trumbo.”

There were no big surprises in the slate of nominees, though it reinforced that “Straight Outta Compton” and “Sicario,” once thought to be Oscar longshots, are well-liked and are definitely in the awards picture.

See video: 'Straight Outta Compton' Star Jason Mitchell on How He Landed Eazy-E Role: 'I Brought the Rain' (Video)

The WGA’s documentary category only consisted of four nominees: “Going Clear: Scientology and the Prison of Belief,” the only one to also make the Oscar doc shortlist, along with “Kurt Cobain: Montage of Heck,” “Prophet’s Prey” and “Being Canadian.”

Because of rules that limit eligibility to screenplays written by WGA members or produced under the guild’s Minimum Basic Agreement, the Writers Guild is the least reliable of the major guilds when it comes to predicting Oscar nominations.

This year, Oscar contenders that are ineligible for Writers Guild nominations include “The Hateful Eight,” “Inside Out,” “Ex Machina,” “99 Homes” and “Son of Saul” in the original screenplay category, and “Room,” “Brooklyn,” “Anomalisa” and “The Danish Girl” in adapted screenplay. The WGA field consisted of 61 original screenplays to the Academy’s 169, and 51 adapted screenplays to the Academy’s 121.

Also Read: Producers Guild Nominates 'Ex Machina,' 'Sicario' and 'Straight Outta Compton,' But Not 'Star Wars'

In the past five years, about 60 percent of the WGA nominees have gone on to receive Oscar nods, including seven out of 10 last year. Since 2000, 22 of the 32 WGA winners in the original and adapted categories also won Academy Awards.

The Writers Guild previously announced its television, radio, new media and promotional writing nominees.

The WGA Awards will take place on Saturday, Feb. 13, at simultaneous ceremonies conducted in Los Angeles by the WGA, West and in New York by the WGA, East.

The nominees:

ORIGINAL SCREENPLAY

“Bridge of Spies,” Written by Matt Charman and Ethan Coen & Joel Coen; DreamWorks Pictures

“Sicario,” Written by Taylor Sheridan; Lionsgate

“Spotlight,” Written by Josh Singer & Tom McCarthy; Open Road Films

“Straight Outta Compton,” Screenplay by Jonathan Herman and Andrea Berloff; Story by S. Leigh Savidge & Alan Wenkus and Andrea Berloff; Universal Pictures

“Trainwreck,” Written by Amy Schumer; Universal Pictures

ADAPTED SCREENPLAY

“The Big Short,” Screenplay by Charles Randolph and Adam McKay; Based on the Book by Michael Lewis; Paramount Pictures

“Carol,” Screenplay by Phyllis Nagy; Based on the Novel The Price of Salt by Patricia Highsmith; The Weinstein Company

“The Martian,” Screenplay by Drew Goddard; Based on the Novel by Andy Weir; Twentieth Century Fox

“Steve Jobs,” Screenplay by Aaron Sorkin; Based on the Book by Walter Isaacson; Universal Pictures

“Trumbo,” Written by John McNamara; Based on the Biography by Bruce Cook; Bleecker Street Media

DOCUMENTARY SCREENPLAY

“Being Canadian,” Written by Robert Cohen; Candy Factory Films

“Going Clear: Scientology and the Prison of Belief,” Written by Alex Gibney; HBO Documentary Films

“Kurt Cobain: Montage of Heck,” Written by Brett Morgen; HBO Documentary Films

“Prophet’s Prey,” Written by Amy J. Berg; Showtime Documentary Films

29 Oscar Contenders Voters and Fans Need to See

"Spotlight" A contender for Best Picture, director and screenplay -- as well as the supporting acting categories.
Open Road Films
"The Martian" Ridley Scott may have his best shot at an Oscar with this sci-fi drama, which is also a contender for Best Picture. Matt Damon is in the hunt for Best Actor as well.
Twentieth Century Fox
"Carol" Todd Haynes' period romance is getting lots of buzz for major categories, particularly for stars Cate Blanchett and Rooney Mara.
The Weinstein Company
"Room" Brie Larson is a favorite in the Best Actress race, and there's chatter for co-stars Jacob Tremblay and Joan Allen.
A24
"Joy" David O. Russell movies are consistent awards bait, and Jennifer Lawrence is poised to earn her third consecutive nomination.
Annapurna Pictures
"The Revenant" Alejandro G. Inarritu's dark revenge tale is getting lots of awards traction, particularly for Leonardo DiCaprio's performance.
Twentieth Century Fox
"Brooklyn" Saoirse Ronan is a strong contender for Best Actress, and there's much love for John Crowley's old-fashioned period drama.
Fox Searchlight Pictures
"Straight Outta Compton" F. Gary Gray's biopic of the rap group N.W.A boasts some of the best reviews of the year, including raves for newcomer Jason Mitchell as Eazy-E.
Universal Pictures
"Mad Max: Fury Road" The National Board of Review winner for Best Picture is a long-shot outside of technical categories, but it could surprise in the picture, directing or actress categories.
Warner Bros
"Steve Jobs" Aaron Sorkin is a likely nominee for his adapted screenplay, and Michael Fassbender is a strong contender for Best Actor.
Universal Pictures
"Suffragette" Carey Mulligan is in the hunt for Best Actress for her role in this historical drama about the battle for British women to get the vote.
Focus Features
"Inside Out" Pixar's hit could become the first animated movie to earn a Best Picture nod since 2011's "Toy Story 3."
Pixar Studios/Walt Disney Pictures
"The Danish Girl" Eddie Redmayne and Alicia Vikander are getting major buzz for their performances in a period drama with a topical transgender twist.
Focus Features
"Bridge of Spies" You can never count out Steven Spielberg, particularly when he reteams with star Tom Hanks. Look out for Mark Rylance in supporting actor race
Amblin Entertainment/Walt Disney Pictures
"Beasts of No Nation" Cary Joji Fukunaga's gritty drama about African child soldiers has drawn raves, but most overcome its limited theatrical release by Netflix.
Netflix
"Son of Saul" The Hungarian Holocaust drama is a frontrunner in the foreign-language film race but could also score nods in other categories.
Sony Pictures Classics
"The Hateful Eight" Quentin Tarantino's Western is getting the usual Oscar talk, particularly for his screenplay and supporting actress Jennifer Jason Leigh.
The Weinstein Company
"Concussion" Will Smith has won early acclaim for his performance as the doctor who discovered CTE, the brain injury experienced by so many former NFL players.
Columbia Pictures
"The Big Short" Adam McKay's fact-based comic drama boasts a starry cast and major topicality, boosting its awards profile.
Paramount Pictures
"Creed" Ryan Coogler's reboot of the "Rocky" franchise has drawn raves, and Sylvester Stallone's supporting turn as boxer-turned-coach could earn him a supporting actor nod.
Warner Bros
"Youth" Michael Caine, Harvey Keitel and Jane Fonda are all in the mix in acting categories for Paolo Sorrentino's indie.
Fox Searchlight Pictures
"Star Wars: The Force Awakens" J.J. Abrams' top-secret blockbuster should dominate in technical categories but could pull off a surprise in Best Picture
Lucasfilm/Disney
"Trumbo" Jay Roach's biopic of the blacklisted Hollywood screenwriter is drawing attention for the performances of Bryan Cranston as well as Helen Mirren as gossip columnist Hedda Hopper.
Universal Pictures
"99 Homes" Michael Shannon and Andrew Garfield are generating talk for their performance in the Ramin Bahrani- directed drama.
Lionsgate
"Anomalisa" Charlie Kaufman's stop-motion animated film could pull off a surprise in the Animated Feature category.
Paramount Pictures
"Mr. Holmes" Ian McKellen is angling for his third Oscar nomination for playing an aging Sherlock Holmes in Bill Condon's movie.
Roadside Attractions
"45 Years" Veteran actress Charlotte Rampling could score her first nomination for playing half of a couple preparing for their 45th wedding anniversary.
Sundance Selects
"Grandma" As an acerbic woman helping her granddaughter as she faced an unplanned pregnancy, Lily Tomlin could score her first nomination since 1975's "Nashville."
Sony Pictures Classics
"Love & Mercy" Paul Dano and John Cusack have both won acclaim for playing the younger and older versions of troubled Beach Boys leader Brian Wilson.
Roadside Attractions