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‘Bohemian Rhapsody’ and ‘Vice’ Lead Oscar Best Makeup and Hairstyling Shortlist

This race is shaping up as a showdown between Freddie Mercury and Dick Cheney for the Oscar, as"The Favourite" and "A Star Is Born" were snubbed.
"Bohemian Rhapsody"
"Bohemian Rhapsody"
20th Century Fox

Rami Malek as Freddie Mercury (“Bohemian Rhapsody”) and Christian Bale as Dick Cheney (“Vice”) lead the shortlist contenders for this season’s Best Makeup and Hairstyling Oscar.

Joining them are Tilda Swinton’s wild transformation in “Suspiria,” the fantastical look of Swedish foreign-language entry “Border,” the authenticity of “Mary Queen of Scots,” and Laurel & Hardy’s recreation in “Stan & Ollie.” While “Black Panther” also made the cut for its innovative Afrofuturism, notably, Best Picture contenders “A Star Is Born” and “The Favourite” were both shut out.

Read More:Oscars 2019: Best Makeup and Hairstyling Predictions

However, the race has come down to a battle of the biopics between Mercury and Cheney. Hair and makeup head Jan Sewell transformed Malek into the flamboyant Queen singer/songwriter, making use of a prosthetic nose, eye makeup, an assortment of wigs, and, most crucially, a set of prosthetic teeth to approximate his famous overbite.

Christian Bale, "Vice"
Christian Bale in “Vice”Greig Fraser/Annapurna Pictures

Meanwhile, three-time Oscar-winning makeup designer Greg Cannom (“The Curious Case of Benjamin Button,” “Mrs. Doubtfire,” “Dracula”) used every tool at his disposal to fully transform Bale into Vice President Cheney (from age 21 to mid-70s). Cannom fitted the actor with a comfortable wrap-around prosthetic, two nose appliances, and form-fitting grease makeup, along with special wigs to complete the uncanny resemblance.

Nominations will be announced on Tuesday, January 22, 2019. The 91st Oscars will be held on Sunday, February 24, 2019, at the Dolby Theatre at Hollywood & Highland Center in Hollywood, and will be televised live on the ABC Television Network.

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