The WGA, in spite of their atypical eligibility rules, is a somewhat accurate precursor. When films don’t make the list, it calls into question their choices, but if they pick the frontrunner, they’ll likely stay the frontrunner.

WRITERS GUILD OF AMERICA AWARDS

Best Original Screenplay

Booksmart
Knives Out
Marriage Story (Peter, RU:Wesley, RU:Tripp, RU:Thomas)
1917
Parasite (Wesley, Tripp, Thomas, RU:Peter)

Wesley Lovell: Three Best Picture Oscar nominees are on this list and four of them are Original Screenplay Oscar nominees. Parasite and Marriage Story are the most honored of the scripts on this list with Knives Out a close third. Ultimately, the creativity of Parasite will likely win out over the contemplative and combative natures of Marriage Story.
Peter J. Patrick: I would expect Marriage Story to prevail but Parasite is on a roll, so it could be either.
Tripp Burton: Without presumed Oscar frontrunner Once Upon a Time…in Hollywood here, this is a little bit of a free for all. Parasite probably gains the most here, but Marriage Story could get a consolation prize for Noah Baumbach, who doesn’t look to win anything else this season.
Thomas LaTourette: With Once Upon a Time… In Hollywood not nominated, this probably comes down to Parasite versus Marriage Story. At this point, I would give Parasite the edge.

Best Adapted Screenplay

A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood
The Irishman (Peter)
Jojo Rabbit (RU:Wesley, RU:Tripp, RU:Thomas)
Joker
Little Women (Wesley, Tripp, Thomas, RU:Peter)

Wesley Lovell: Little Women is finally seen and the unique way Greta Gerwig crafted the script should bolster its chances with the voters in this category. Four of these titles made it over to the Oscars with those same four also being Best Picture nominees. Ultimately, I suspect that creativity and originality will win out, so Little Women by a hair with Jojo Rabbit a close second.
Peter J. Patrick: Originally I would have thought The Irishman would have taken this easily, but with all the hubbub over Little Women being underappreciated, I’m thinking it could be either.
Tripp Burton: Most see this category as between Jojo Rabbit and Little Women. I think people want to see Gerwig win a little more than Waititi, at this point in their careers, and it feels like the safer bet.
Thomas LaTourette: I think Little Women will take home the prize. A precursor to the Oscars.

Documentary Screenplay

Citizen K (Peter, Tripp, RU:Wesley)
Foster (RU:Peter)
The Inventor: Out for Blood in Silicon Valley (Thomas, RU:Tripp)
Joseph Pulitzer: Voice of the People
The Kingmaker (Wesley, RU:Thomas)

Wesley Lovell: None of these documentaries are Oscar nominees and only a couple of them were even cited for nomination or recognition in the year-end awards. Citizen K and The Kingmaker seem like the most likely winners and I will give the edge to The Kingmaker, nominated by the Broadcast, Hollywood, and Chicago Independent film critics taking the lead as Citizen K had one nomination from the Satellite Awards and none of the others anywhere else.
Peter J. Patrick: I don’t know but I’m going with the anti-Putin Citizen K for the win over Foster, the documentary about the U.S. foster care system.
Tripp Burton: Without any Oscar contenders here, this is a category that is completely up for grabs.
Thomas LaTourette: The Inventor is close to home and sounds pretty interesting. Otherwise, Kingmaker sounds best.