The nominations for the 90th annual Academy Awards were announced this morning, and most of the films and talent that were nominated have been a shoe in since awards season began at the beginning of the month with the Golden Globes. Shape of Water leads the pack with 13 nominations, while Jordan Peele's Get Out was rightfully given nominations in the Best Picture, Best Actor (Daniel Kaluuya), Best Director and Screenplay (both Peele).
However, one name that was conspicuously left of the list was James Franco, whose work in The Disaster Artist has seen the actor nab both the Golden Globe and Critic's Choice Award for Best Actor. Franco was also nominated for a Screen Actors Guild Awards for his performance, which saw the actor portray The Room's eccentric director and lead star, Tommy Wiseau.
Speculation has now pointed to the infamous post-Globes unravelling of accusations aimed squarely at Franco, who had allegedly groped and sexually harassed five women in the past. It all began with that infamous set of tweets sent out by women on Twitter, who denounced the fact that Franco was wearing a pin in support of the Time's Up movement when he'd clearly perpetrated the type of behaviour the cause condemns.
However, Kobe Bryant was in fact nominated for his animated short Dear Basketball. This may seem a bit ironic, as the former NBA player has also been accused of raping multiple women in the past, which ultimately did not hinder his chances of scoring a prized Oscar nomination. What this says about Franco's future in the business and during award show season is still uncertain.