The awards season buzz is officially heating up as Universal Pictures confirms that Academy Award winner Anne Hathaway will campaign in the Supporting Actress category for her turn as Penelope in Christopher Nolan’s massive blockbuster, The Odyssey. This strategic decision ends months of industry speculation regarding her placement, effectively positioning Matt Damon as the film’s singular lead acting contender. Hathaway won’t be alone in the supporting race, as she will be joined by co-star Samantha Morton, who has earned rave reviews for her portrayal of Circe. By pushing both actresses, Universal is clearly aiming to secure dual nominations for the same film.
Industry insiders are already marking Hathaway as an early frontrunner, especially given Christopher Nolan’s recent golden streak with the Oscar-sweeping Oppenheimer. The Odyssey has been a juggernaut at the global box office, raking in over USD 1.6 billion, which provides a massive tailwind for Universal’s broader awards campaign. By opting for the Supporting Actress category, Hathaway also avoids the highly crowded Best Actress field, where heavyweights like Julianne Moore are already making waves for their latest performances. If she clinches the win, Hathaway would join the elite ranks of Dianne Wiest and Shelley Winters as one of the only women in history to snag the Supporting Actress Oscar twice.
It has been a banner year for the star, who made headlines with her roles in A24’s Mother Mary and the blockbuster return to her iconic roots in The Devil Wears Prada 2, which grossed USD 691 million worldwide. With upcoming projects like the thriller Verity already on the horizon, Hathaway shows no signs of slowing down. Meanwhile, Universal is going all-in on The Odyssey, with plans to push John Leguizamo and Robert Pattinson for Supporting Actor nominations. Should the film succeed in securing nods across these multiple categories, it will cement its place among the most decorated features in recent Academy Awards history.