As La La Land lands a whopping 11 Bafta nominations, star John Legend shoots down hopes of a sequel
AS soon as I saw La La Land I knew it would be an instant classic — and now Britain’s biggest movie awards has given the film its most shining endorsement yet.
After winning a record number of Golden Globes on Sunday, the flick has continued its awards domination by landing an astounding 11 nominations at this year’s EE Baftas.
As well as leading the race for Best Film, stars RYAN GOSLING and EMMA STONE are also up for Best Actor and Best Actress.
Making La La Land’s Bafta success all the more incredible is the fact it hasn’t even been released in the UK yet, not reaching cinemas here until Friday.
But having had a sneak preview already, I can confirm it is a masterpiece and the best musical in years.
Emma Stone is enchanting and deserves her nod, while Ryan Gosling is simply excellent.
However, the roaring success comes with a downer, as one of the film’s lead stars has thrown doubt on hopes of a sequel.
In an exclusive interview, JOHN LEGEND, who plays bandleader Keith in the DAMIEN CHAZELLE-directed flick, said: “I don’t know if these things have sequels. I don’t know if it’s that kind of movie.
“But if it is and Damien wants me to do anything I’d love to work with him again on anything he’s doing.”
On Sunday, La La Land — a modern, romantic musical about an actress trying to make it in Hollywood — won a record seven gongs at the Golden Globes, including Best Director and Best Screenplay.
He added: “He’s a wonderful director and filmmaker and I’m glad that he asked me to be a part of the film.”
John reckons it’s all down to Damien, who was also behind Oscar-winning film Whiplash.
Just behind La La Land in the Bafta nominations are films Nocturnal Animals and Arrival with nine nods each, while Manchester by the Sea, starring CASEY AFFLECK, trails with six.
Battle of the Brits
ANDREW GARFIELD and EMILY BLUNT are the only UK stars to be nominated in the Best Actor/Actress category, but there is a big battle of the Brits looming between DEV PATEL and AARON TAYLOR-JOHNSON in the Best Supporting Actor section.
Personally, I think Dev should clinch it after an incredible, coming-of-age performance in Lion, but the smart money is on Aaron in Nocturnal Animals after his shock Golden Globes victory.
The 70th EE Baftas take place on February 12 at London’s Royal Albert Hall.
Let battle commence.
[boxout featured-image="2582829"]LAST year Hollywood was hit by the OscarsSoWhite protest, over a lack of diversity in nominations. Now US film writer Scott Feinberg says the Baftas has its own race problem, citing DENZEL WASHINGTON – six Oscar nominations, two wins, NO Bafta nods – and MORGAN FREEMAN – five Oscar nods, one win, NO Bafta mentions. Only time will tell how this will end.
[/boxout]
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SULLY
TOM HANKS’s emotional depiction of US pilot Chesley Sullenberger in the film Sully definitely deserved a nomination.
The gripping film told the story of the captain who successfully landed his jet on New York’s Hudson River after a bird strike wrecked the engines.
LION
It received five nominations, including a Best Supporting Actor nod for Brit Dev Patel, but it’s a shocker that Lion is not in the Best Film category.
He’s a revelation, NICOLE KIDMAN is simply brilliant, and all in all it’s an extraordinary piece of cinema.
EDDIE REDMAYNE
He's been nominated for Best Actor for two consecutive years, winning it in 2015 for The Theory of Everything, but EDDIE REDMAYNE has missed out this time.
His Harry Potter spin-off Fantastic Beasts is up for five gongs, but he didn’t get a nod.
THE BFG
MARK RYLANCE was overlooked for his enchanting portrayal of the Big Friendly Giant.
I thought it was magical when I caught it at Cannes, but STEVEN SPIELBERG’s live-action adaptation of the ROALD DAHL tale did not get a single nomination.
A winning Streep?
ON Monday, US President-elect DONALD TRUMP lashed out at MERYL STREEP, describing her as “one of the most over-rated actresses in Hollywood”.
But in graceful Streep style, she has proved him wrong by receiving her 15th Bafta nod – the second most for an actress behind DAME JUDI DENCH.
She is up for Best Actress for her portrayal of amateur singer Florence Foster Jenkins in the film of the same name.
The movie charts the socialite’s ill-fated desire to become an opera star despite her awful voice.
Meryl criticised Donald in her speech at Sunday’s Golden Globes, branding him a “bully” for mocking a disabled reporter.
The Hollywood icon was first nominated for a Bafta in 1979, before going on to win Best Actress twice – in 1981 for The French Lieutenant’s Woman and again in 2011 for The Iron Lady.
There’s no stopping her.
DJ Roman does the twist with Vick
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But DJ ROMAN KEMP said the Let It Shine judge had a moment far more mortifying than any Eighties magazine cover.
Speaking live on my Facebook page, Roman – host of ITV2’s new Sunday teen show 2Awesome – said Martin and his singer mum SHIRLIE HOLLIMAN once burst in on him at an intimate moment.
Asked, “What’s the most embarrassing thing that’s happened to you naked?”, he said: “My mum and dad walked in on a very private situation once.
“I’ll leave that to your imagination.”
He opened up while playing Twisted Twister – my devilish take on the classic party game, in which players answer probing questions based on the spots they can reach – with his co-host VICK HOPE.
Corey's knot joking – he's a Robbie fan
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Masked musician Corey, who made his name with hits such as Psychosocial, Sarcastrophe and People = S**t, is turning his hand to the world of pop.
He said: “I actually wrote a song for Robbie Williams. I just love Robbie. He’s f***ing amazing.
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Forget the Heavy Entertainment Show, it’s time for the Heavy Metal Entertainment Show.
Nicole shirt splitter
AS a former PUSSYCAT DOLL, NICOLE SCHERZINGER was never going to have any issues channelling her inner Catwoman.
The X Factor judge swooped into Florence on Monday night in a sequinned catsuit to attend a star-studded fashion bash with LINDSAY LOHAN, TOM ODELL and KELLY ROWLAND.
Meanwhile, fellow party girl Lindsay is having a fresh start for 2017 after axing her social media accounts.
Her rep said: “Lindsay is in a period of renewal and excited for what the new year holds.”
Maybe Nicole could send her a few of the motivational quotes she loves to post on Instagram.