Fox campaigns for Christian Bale and Matt Damon in lead actor Oscar race

Last Updated on July 30, 2021

With most of the major film festivals now in the rear view, the Oscar race is beginning to heat up. One of the movies that's gotten a ton of buzz so far is director James Mangold's upcoming FORD V FERRARI. JobBo's own Chris Bumbray got a chance to review the film at TIFF, calling it an "old fashioned star vehicle/two hander" for actors Matt Damon and Christian Bale.

Despite FORD V FERRARI essentially being a dual-lead film for both Bale and Damon, tradition dictates that when it comes to the Oscars, a film's campaign will call for one actor in the supporting category, and one for the lead. However, in a rare move that defies precedent, 20th Century Fox and Disney are eschewing tradition and campaigning for both Bale and Damon in the lead actor category. What's more is that the move doesn't pertain to just the Academy Awards either. Fox and Disney will do the same for the Golden Globes, SAG, BAFTA, and other awards contests.

Typically in situations like this, it's desirable for two actors not to go up against each other in the same category regardless of billing. There's a better chance of at least one of the actors winning the award in that instance. However, the Best Supporting Actor category looks to be loaded this year with Brad Pitt (ONCE UPON A TIME…IN HOLLYWOOD), Willem Dafoe (THE LIGHTHOUSE), and Jamie Foxx (JUST MERCY) all in the running.

Christian Bale has been nominated four times for an Oscar (2 for Supporting, 2 for Lead) and previously won in the Supporting category for 2010's THE FIGHTER. Matt Damon meanwhile has been nominated three times, most recently for 2015's THE MARTIAN. Could this be the year Damon gets nominated and takes home the gold. Time will tell.

FORD V FERRARI will race into theaters on November 15.