Precursor: 33rd USC Scripter Nominations (2019)

Always a good preview of what the Academy might be thinking (outside the Writers Guild of America) in the Best Adapted Screenplay. While they don’t have a perfect track record, most years anywhere from three to five of their selections end up nominated. The only real surprise on this list is Dark Waters, which didn’t seem to be on anyone’s radar (except mine a few months ago) as a potential Adapted Screenplay nominee. The films that are notably absent from this list are Hustlers and Joker (proving that most comic book films don’t earn this nomination). With Adapted Screenplay being very anemic this year, I wouldn’t be surprised to see this batch at the Oscars, give or take Dark Waters and The Two Popes.