Universal Launched Academy Award Campaign for Hathaway
The studio is backing Anne Hathaway for a Best Supporting Actress nomination following her performance in The Odyssey.
Updated on Sept. 21, 2026 in Science Fiction
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Universal will campaign for Anne Hathaway to secure an Academy Award nomination for Best Supporting Actress for her role as Penelope in The Odyssey. The film has become a major commercial success, earning $1.72 billion at the global box office since its release.
Why it matters
The campaign signals Universal's intent to position the film as a top contender for the 2027 Academy Awards. Securing acting nominations is crucial for maintaining the film's profile throughout the awards season.
The Odyssey achieved $1.72 billion in global box office earnings, securing its place as the 11th highest-grossing film of all time. The feature has a total runtime of 173 minutes.
The players
Anne Hathaway
She is an acclaimed actress who previously won a Best Supporting Actress Oscar for Les Misérables in 2012.
Universal
This major film studio produced and is currently promoting the feature film The Odyssey.
Matt Damon
He is a central cast member in The Odyssey and is considered a likely candidate for an Academy Award nomination.
Samantha Morton
She is an actress who performed the role of Circe in the film The Odyssey.
The details
Universal aims to capitalize on the film's massive reach by promoting Hathaway to voters ahead of the January 2027 nominations. Hathaway previously won the Best Supporting Actress Oscar in 2012 for her work in Les Misérables.
Timeline
July 15, 2026: The Odyssey released in theaters.
January 21, 2027: Academy Award nominations will be announced.
March 14, 2027: The Academy Awards ceremony will be held.
Industry Dynamics
Studios frequently leverage the commercial momentum of billion-dollar blockbusters to bolster awards visibility for their lead and supporting talent. This strategy follows a pattern established by the 2012 Academy Awards, where studios utilized successful box office runs to secure prestige for key actors.
The nomination campaign ensures that The Odyssey remains a focal point for viewers during the remainder of the theatrical and streaming rollout. Audiences can expect increased visibility for the film as it competes for top industry honors throughout the winter.
The takeaway
Studios view awards recognition as a vital tool to extend the cultural relevance of a film beyond its initial theatrical window. Fans should watch for how these nominations influence the eventual home release and streaming strategies of major blockbusters.
What happens next
Academy Award nominations are scheduled to be announced on January 21, 2027, followed by the awards ceremony on March 14, 2027.
Further reading
For more on the latest trends in cinema, visit our Science Fiction section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Movieweb.
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