“The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King”
11 nominations
– Details: Frodo and Sam continue their journey to destroy The Ring in Mt. Doom, but Gollum has other plans. Gandalf and Pippin help defend Gondor as Aragorn and others distract the Eye of Sauron so Frodo can do his thing.
– Casting adventures: It’s common knowledge that Viggo Mortensen replaced Stuart Townsend as Aragorn. But here’s something you may have missed: Director Peter Jackson plays one of the mercenaries on the boats headed for Minas Tirith.
– Back story: It’s the first time that the third movie in a trilogy has been nominated for best picture (Academy Awards and Golden Globes) even after the first two didn’t win.
– Hidden gem: Sean Astin’s daughter, Alexandra, plays Elanor, the daughter of Sam, Astin’s character.
“Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World”
10 nominations
– Details: Based on one in a series of books by Patrick O’Brian, the story traces Captain Jack Aubrey’s British frigate Surprise as it stalks a French warship off South America during the Napoleonic Wars.
– Casting adventures: In the early days of casting, Heath Ledger was on the list but was removed when Russell Crowe signed on as the lead.
– Back story: While the production filmed in the huge water tank used in “Titanic,” crews also shot an actual typhoon in the South Pacific and used the sea footage.
– Hidden gem: Director Peter Weir cast for extras in Poland because he found the men’s faces to have the cold, tired look he wanted for the British crew.
“Seabiscuit”
Seven nominations
– Details: Based on Laura Hillenbrand’s book by the same name, the undersized Depression-era racehorse Seabiscuit and three men (a jockey, a trainer and an owner) join forces to win races and the hearts of a nation.
– Casting adventures: Many horses were considered, but in the end, 10 shared the role of Seabiscuit. Five were racers, two were fill-ins, and three others were trick horses.
– Back story: Writer/producer/director Gary Ross wrote in the role of Tick-Tock McGlaughlin specifically for actor William H. Macy.
– Hidden gem: Many of the people in the crowd at the Pimlico Race were actually blow-up mannequins with masks and painted-on suits and plastic hats.
“Mystic River”
Six nominations
– Details: Childhood buddies are reunited after one of the men’s daughters is killed, another is the detective investigating the case, and the third is a suspect.
– Casting adventures: Boston newspapers reported that more than 2,000 people showed up to be extras for major scenes, including the church and the parade.
– Back story: Longtime character actor Eli Wallach has an uncredited roll in this movie directed by Clint Eastwood. Both starred together in “The Good, The Bad and The Ugly.”
– Hidden gem: “Mystic River” novel author Dennis Lehane is an extra waving from the back of a car in the parade.
“Lost in Translation”
Four nominations
– Details: Bob Harris is a bored American actor in Tokyo shooting a whiskey commercial. Charlotte is the bored young wife of a photographer. Both meet at their hotel and become improbable friends exploring Tokyo together.
– Casting adventures: Bill Murray’s part was written for him specifically, but the part of the young actress Kelly (played by Anna Faris) was rumored to have been written for Cameron Diaz.
– Back story: This movie was filmed in 27 days, an incredibly short time for a feature film.
– Hidden gem: The kiss between Bob and Charlotte was an ad-lib moment, and both Murray and Scarlett Johansson refuse to divulge to the public what Murray whispered into her ear at the end.
