2008 Oscar race turned ‘upside-down’

Last week brought one of the most topsy turvy awards weeks in recent memory, as release-date shifts for a spate of contenders reshaped the race. Three movies — The Weinstein Company’s “The Road” and Par’s “The Soloist” and “Defiance” — now might get, at best, a qualifying run or might not be eligible in 2008 at all.

Most notably, four best actor or supporting actor candidates — Viggo Mortensen (”The Road”), Daniel Craig (”Defiance”), Robert “Downey Jr. (”The Soloist”) and Jamie Foxx (”The Soloist”) — saw their odds diminish or disappear entirely with the rescheduling.

“The whole race turned upside-down in a matter of days,” said one Oscar consultant. “You have four potential Best Actor candidates who are not just in limbo — they may be gone.”

- from THR