For our seventh Rundown article, we look at a category that frequently goes along with Best Picture. After the jump, you’ll find our winner and runner-up predictions for Best Director as well as general commentary about the race. Tuesday, we’ll cover two very visual aspects of film.

Best Director

Winner Predictions

• Alfonso Cuaron – Gravity (WL R) [New] (PP O) (TB R) [New]
• Steve McQueen – 12 Years a Slave
• Alexander Payne – Nebraska
• David O. Russell – American Hustle
• Martin Scorsese – The Wolf of Wall Street

Runner-Up Predictions

• Steve McQueen – 12 Years a Slave (WL R) [New] (PP O) (TB R) [New]

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Wesley Lovell: The general rule is never bet the split. This year, it’s not the director’s race where you would have to bet the split. Alfonso Cuaron has won every major prize this side of the Adirondacks. Hell, he’s won every prize on the other side as well. This is one of those cases where an upset would be completely shocking. If it happens and either Steve McQueen or David O. Russell wins, expect that film to also win Best Picture and the Picture-Director split to be a non-issue. It’s possible Gravity wins Best Picture, but it isn’t likely to do that without a win by Cuaron.
Peter J. Patrick: DGA winner Cuaron has the edge but McQueen has a legion of supporters so an upset is more than possible, but I think the Academy will follow tradition on this one and go with the DGA winner even if they opt for another film for Best Picture.
Tripp Burton: At this point in the season, I don’t think you can doubt that Alfonso Cuaron is the odds-on favorite to win this category. Gravity has gained steam as the season has moved along, but Cuaron has nearly swept the directors prizes and should easily take this prize.

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