In what will no doubt be a major relief to every studio and consultant with a contender in the Best Actress race this year, The Playlist has confirmed that Viola Davis has been submitted in the Best Supporting Actress category for the 2017 SAG Awards for her role in Denzel Washington’s “Fences.” Originally, it was believed she would campaign for Best Actress.
READ MORE: Denzel Washington Steps Up To The Plate In ‘Fences’
Davis won a Tony Award in 2010 for Best Lead Actress in a Play for the Broadway revival of August Wilson’s seminal drama. Wilson adapted his own work for the screen and word is he expanded both Davis’ role as Rose and Washington’s as Troy in the process. Still, the story has always centered on Troy above all and it was never a stretch to believe Davis’ role could be considered supporting. It’s also worth noting that Mary Alice, who originated the role in the first Broadway production, won the Best Featured Actress in a play Tony in 1987. An honor akin to Best Supporting Actress.
This news affects what is considered the most competitive Best Actress fields in recent memory. Primary contenders include Natalie Portman (“Jackie”), Emma Stone (“La La Land”), Ruth Negga (“Loving”), Isabelle Huppert (“Elle”), Amy Adams (“Arrival,” “Nocturnal Animals”), Meryl Streep (“Florence Foster Jenkins”), Annette Bening (“20th Century Women”) and Kate Beckinsale (“Love & Friendship”). Taraji P. Henson (“Hidden Figures”) and Marion Cotillard (“Allied”) are two still unseen performances that could also get into the mix. The decision to move Davis to Supporting will likely create a showdown between Portman and Stone for the win.
Davis, a two-time nominee for “The Help” and “Doubt,” is now arguably the frontrunner in a Best Supporting Actress race that features Michelle Williams (“Manchester By The Sea”), Naomie Harris (“Moonlight”), Nicole Kidman (“Lion”), and Lupita Nyong’o (“Queen of Katwe”), among others. At this point, it would appear Williams, a three-time nominee herself, is Davis’ biggest competition.
The Best Supporting Actress race could also be impacted by still unseen performances in films such as “Hidden Figures” (Octavia Spencer or Janelle Monae), “Live By Night,” “Patriot’s Day” and more.
“Fences” opens in limited release on Dec. 25.
Gregory Ellwood’s Current Oscar Predictions:
Best Picture
Director
Best Actress
Best Actor
Best Supporting Actress
Best Supporting Actor
Original Screenplay
Adapted Screenplay
Editing – Coming Soon
Cinematography – Coming Soon
Animated Feature Film – Coming Soon
Foreign Language Film – Coming Soon
Documentary Feature – Coming Soon
Original Score – Coming Soon
Original Song – Coming Soon
Costumes – Coming Soon
Makeup and Hairstyling – Coming Soon
Visual Effects – Coming Soon
Sound Mixing – Coming Soon
Sound Editing – Coming Soon
For more Oscar and industry insight follow Gregory Ellwood on Twitter @TheGregoryE.