Oscars 2017 nominees: 5 biggest surprises, from Michael Shannon to Suicide Squad

Also, Mel Gibson and The Lobster

After what feels like months of waiting, the Oscar nominations have been announced, La La Land equalling Titanic and All About Eve’s record for most nominations with 14.

As with every year, there were numerous snubs, including Tom Ford’s Nocturnal Animals (only one nomination for Michael Shannon in Supporting Actor) and Martin Scorsese’s Silence (again, one nomination for Cinematography).

On the flip side, there were some very notable surprises. Hidden Figures and Fences both took four nominations despite stiff competition, while Hell or High Water also proved itself with Best Picture and Supporting Actor for Jeff Bridges. Here are the five biggest surprises.

Ruth Negga - Loving

Despite stiff competition from the likes of Amy Adams, Jessica Chastain, and Kate Beckinsale, Negga won a deserved leading actress nomination for her role in Loving. For a BAFTA Rising Star nominees, that’s quite the accomplishment.

Michael Shannon - Nocturnal Animals

Tom Ford’s film may have been snubbed in general, but that didn’t stop the awesome Michael Shannon being nominated for supporting actor. What’s most surprising is that co-star Aron Taylor-Johnson won the supporting actor Golden Globe earlier this month while Shannon didn’t receive a nomination.

Mel Gibson - Hacksaw Ridge

The actor-turned-director was blacklisted from Hollywood for almost a decade following some very inflammatory comments. However, all has seemingly been forgiven as his comeback film, Hacksaw Ridge, has received multiple nominations, while Gibson himself is up for Best Director. A surprising turn of events for the Mad Max star.

The Lobster

Yorgos Lanthimos’s black comedy was first shown at Cannes in May 2015 but that hasn’t stopped it sticking in critics’ minds. The film goes up against La La Land, Hell or Highwater, Manchester by the Sea, and 20th Century Women.

Suicide Squad

We’re not kidding. The villainous superhero film is now an Oscar-nominated superhero film thanks to its inclusion in Makeup and Hairstyling. Yes, someone is actually praising what they did to The Joker. We can’t believe it either.