After a surprise win by Ang Lee at the Oscar's, pundits have started pinning down possible Best Director nominees for the 2014 Academy Awards.
In 2006, Alfonso Cuaron astounded audiences with his visual flair and his incredible direction for "Children of Men." The film was nominated for three Academy Awards but failed to be recognized Best Director and Best Picture. Seven years later, Cuaron returns with one of the most ambitious films to date "Gravity." The film stars Sandra Bullock and George Clooney and it is being rumored that the opening shot will be twenty minutes long. Additionally the film will be in 3D, helping its chances for a nomination in the Best Director category after "Hugo," "Life of Pi," and "Avatar."
Martin Scorsese was last nominated in 2011 for "Hugo" and has now garnered seven nominations in the category. His latest film "Wolf of Wall Street," starring Leonardo Dicaprio, has garnered buzz and looks like a promising Oscar candidate.
Steve McQueen has already made two films that have been hailed by critics but too harsh for the Academy. McQueen's new film, "Twelve Years a Slave," is set in the times of slavery in America and will mark his third collaboration with actor Michael Fassbender. The film also stars Brad Pitt and while it does not seem the director will tone down his films for the academy, he is still a director that many people esteem.
George Clooney received his eighth Academy Award nomination and second Oscar for producing "Argo." This year Clooney, is looking for a second nomination as a director for his new film "The Monuments Men," which stars John Goodman, Cate Blanchett, Daniel Craig, John Goodman and Bill Murray.
The Coen Brothers are no strangers to the Oscars, being four time winners and nominated for 14 Academy Awards. Their new film, "Inside Llewyn Davis," is expected to debut at Cannes where its awards run could start. However, many pundits are skeptical if the film will resonate and if it will be seen because CBS films is distributing. The company has not been a major Awards campaigner and this sole reason could lessen the Coen's opportunity at their fourth nomination in the directing category.
Other directors in the running include Alexander Payne for "Nebraska," David O. Russell for his untitled film, Jason Reitman for "Labor Day" and Paul Greengrass for "Captain Philips."