Gossip

Frost/Nixon Set for Oscar Glory???

The 2009 Oscar nominees have been announced – and stage-to-screener Frost/Nixon is a leading contender. The film, adapted by Peter Morgan from his play which premiered at the Donmar Warehouse in 2006, is nominated in five categories, including the ‘big three’ – Best Picture, Best Actor and Best Director.

Frost/Nixon, which stars Michael Sheen and Frank Langella (who were both in the Donmar production), is released in the UK tomorrow. Of the two, it’s Langella who won the nomination in the Best Actor category, even though Sheen was also hotly tipped. Langella faces tough competition from Hollywood heavyweights Brad Pitt (The Curious Case of Benjamin Button), Sean Penn (Milk) and Mickey Rourke (The Wrestler).

Speaking to the BBC recently about his time playing the role on stage, Langella revealed he felt there were significant differences between performing in London and New York. “The minute the lights go down, there’s an energy from a Broadway house that, ‘we want this to be great'” he said. “The English audience sort of sits back and says, ‘well, I’d like to see what you have to offer’.”

Frost/Nixon is also nominated for Best Adapted Screenplay (alongside playwright David Hare for The Reader) and Achievement in Film Editing. The Oscar winners are announced on 22 February.