2018 Oscar Predictions: Best Production Design

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While Sarah Greenwood’s sumptuous environments in the rich fantasy universe of “Beauty and the Beast” and Dennis Gassner’s mind-blowing collaboration with director Denis Villeneuve and cinematographer Roger Deakins on “Blade Runner 2049” are mighty competitors for the Best Production Design Oscar, Paul D. Austerberry’s Hollywood-tinged green sets in “The Shape of Water” is the one to beat this year.  Gassner and Austerberry both took their respective categories at the Art Directors Guild Awards.

Others among 15 ADG nominees in three categories (period, fantasy and contemporary) include Greenwood’s more austere World War II London interiors in “Darkest Hour” and Nathan Crowley’s views of Dunkirk by land, sea and air.

Frontrunners:

Paul D. Austerberry, Jeffrey A. Melvin and Shane Vieau (“The Shape of Water”)
Dennis Gassner and Alessandra Querzola (“Blade Runner 2049”)

Contenders:

Sarah Greenwood and Katie Spencer (“Darkest Hour”)
Nathan Crowley and Gary Fettis (“Dunkirk”)
Sarah Greenwood and Katie Spencer (“Beauty and the Beast”)