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Gold Derby

Experts slugfest: ‘Gladiator II’ reactions, ‘Conclave’s’ Oscar hopes, and ‘The Substance’ in comedy

Joyce Eng and Christopher Rosen
2 min read
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Will “Gladiator II” conquer the Oscars again? Did “The Substance” make the right move going comedy/musical at the Golden Globes? Gold Derby editors and experts Christopher Rosen and Joyce Eng are here to discuss Ridley Scott‘s epic sequel and more.

“Gladiator II,” starring Paul Mescal, Denzel Washington, Connie Nielsen, Joseph Quinn, and Fred Hechinger, finally screened for the press this week to mostly positive reactions. The film was already in the top 10 in the Best Picture odds and is currently in eighth place, but Scott has risen to sixth in the Best Director rankings with seven experts and three editors predicting him to win his overdue Oscar. Could the 86-year-old legend win Best Director without “Gladiator II” winning Best Picture — the opposite of what happened with the first movie?

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SEE Experts slugfest: Our first 2025 SAG Awards film predictions

Meanwhile, Mubi has opted to submit “The Substance” in comedy/musical at the Golden Globes, which means Demi Moore will face off against Oscar favorites Mikey Madison (“Anora”) and Karla Sofía Gascón (“Emilia Pérez”) for the lead actress prize. She arguably would’ve had a better shot walking way with a trophy had the breakout hit gone drama, but this play also makes a whole lot of sense.

Elsewhere, we discuss the Oscar hopes of “Conclave” — out in theaters this weekend — and “Dune: Part Two’s” score being deemed ineligible at the Oscars.

Email your questions to [email protected].

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Timestamps:
Intro and “Dune: Part Two” score ineligible (0:00)
“The Brutalist” trailer (7:47)
“The Substance” going comedy/musical (10:31)
“Conclave” (16:55)
“Conclave’s” Oscar chances (19:43)
“Gladiator II” (41:41)
“Gladiator II’s” Oscar chances (53:24)

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