Netflix’s “The Trial of the Chicago 7” is in the lead to win Best Original Screenplay at Sunday’s Writers Guild of America Awards, according to Gold Derby odds. The script, which tells the true-life story of anti–Vietnam War protesters in 1968, comes from director Aaron Sorkin, an Oscar and WGA Award winner for scripting “The Social Network” (2010). Hoping to adjourn “Trial” at the finish line is “Promising Young Woman,” Emerald Fennell‘s script about a brave barista who seeks revenge on creepy men looking to take advantage of drunk women at bars.
To contend at the WGA, one has to qualify for consideration under the guild’s strict guidelines or those of its international partners. The Writers Guild nominees for Best Original Screenplay are “The Trial of the Chicago 7,” “Promising Young Woman,” “Judas and the Black Messiah,” “Sound of Metal” and “Palm Springs.” These match four-for-five with the Oscars, where “Palm Springs” has been replaced by “Minari,” which wasn’t eligible at the guild.
Remember, last year Gold Derby’s predictions proved true for this WGA category, where we had “Parasite” winning over co-nominees “Marriage Story,” “Knives Out,” “1917” and “Booksmart.” Weeks later, “Parasite” matched its guild victory with a triumph at the Academy Awards.
The 2021 WGA Awards in film and television will be presented at a virtual ceremony on March 21, so there’s not much time to make or update your predictions at Gold Derby. Ahead, see our Writers Guild Awards predictions for Best Original Screenplay, according to the combined odds of our Experts, Editors and Users.
“The Trial of the Chicago 7” — 69/20 odds
Written by Aaron Sorkin
SEE 2021 WGA Awards nominations for television
“Promising Young Woman” — 7/2 odds
Written by Emerald Fennell
“Judas and the Black Messiah” — 9/2 odds
Screenplay by Will Berson & Shaka King
Story by Will Berson & Shaka King and Kenny Lucas & Josh Lucas
“Palm Springs” — 9/2 odds
Screenplay by Andy Siara
Story by Andy Siara & Max Barbakow
“Sound of Metal” — 9/2 odds
Screenplay by Darius Marder & Abraham Marder
Story by Darius Marder & Derek Cianfrance
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