In the days leading up to the 90th Academy Awards, FilmBuffOnline will be offering profiles on all the nominees in the major categories. Some may be well know, others might be new to you, but if you need a refresher on these talented nominees, here is what you need to know your nominees for Best Director.
Christopher Nolan
Nominated for: Directing the retelling of one of the fiercest battles of World War II in Dunkirk.
Other awards for directing this film:
Nolan has been nominated 38 times for this film, earning 11 awards.
Where you might know him from:
Nolan’s resume includes Batman Begins, The Dark Knight, The Dark Knight Rises and Interstellar.
History with Oscar:
This is Christopher Nolan’s fifth Oscar nomination but first in the Best Director category. He is also nominated for Best Picture this year:
2010: Best Motion Picture of the Year, Inception (Lost to The King’s Speech)
2010: Best Writing, Original Screenplay, Inception ( Lost to David Seidler, The King’s Speech)
2002: Best Writing, Screenplay Written Directly for the Screen, Memento (Lost to Julian Fellowes, Gosford Park)
Jordan Peele
Nominated for: Directing the racially-charged horror film, Get Out.
Other awards for directing this film:
Peele has received 41 other nominations for directing this film, winning eight awards.
Where you might know him from:
Peele was a cast member of MadTV and Key & Peele. Get Out is his directorial debut.
History with Oscar:
This is Peele’s first Best Director nomination, but he is also nominated this year in the Best Picture and Best Original Screenplay categories.
Greta Gerwig
Nominated for: Directing the coming-of-age story of a teenage girl living in Sacramento in Lady Bird.
Other awards for directing this film:
Gerwig has earned 36 other directing nods for this film, and has brought home 10 awards.
Where you might know him from:
Gerwig is primarily known as an actress in such films as the Arthur remake, Greenberg, and Frances Ha.
History with Oscar:
Greta Gerwig is also nominated this year in the Best Writing, Original Screenplay category. She has no prior nominations.
Paul Thomas Anderson
Nominated for: Directing the tale of a fashion designer falling into a destructive relationship with a younger woman in Phantom Thread.
Other awards for directing this film:
Anderson has 11 other Best Director nominations for this film, and has won 6 awards.
Where you might know him from:
Anderson has directed films such as Hard Eight, Punch-Drunk Love and The Master.
History with Oscar:
Paul Thomas Anderson is also nominated this year for Best Picture. In addition, he has six prior nominations.
2015: Best Writing, Adapted Screenplay, Inherent Vice (Lost to Graham Moore, The Imitation Game)
2008: Best Motion Picture of the Year [with JoAnne Sellar and Daniel Lupi], There Will Be Blood (Lost to No Country for Old Men)
2008: Best Achievement in Directing, There Will Be Blood (Lost to Ethan and Joel Coen, No Country For Old Men)
2008: Best Writing, Adapted Screenplay, There Will Be Blood (Lost to Ethan and Joel Coen, No Country For Old Men)
2000: Best Writing, Screenplay Written Directly for the Screen, Magnolia (Lost to Alan Ball, American Beauty)
1998: Best Writing, Screenplay Written Directly for the Screen, Boogie Nights (Lost to Matt Damon and Ben Affleck, Good Will Hunting)
Guillermo del Toro
Nominated for: Directing the love story between a mute janitor and a sea creature in The Shape of Water.
Other awards for directing this film:
del Toro has 39 other directing nominations for this film, winning 16 awards, including the Golden Globe and the BAFTA.
Where you might know him from:
del Toro is the director behind the original Hellboy franchise, Pacific Rim, and Blade 2.
History with Oscar:
Guillermo del Toro is also nominated this year, with Vanessa Taylor, for Best Original Screenplay. He is also nominated for Best Picture, He has one prior nomination.
2007: Best Writing, Original Screenplay, Pan’s Labyrinth (Lost to Michael Arndt, Little Miss Sunshine)
