BEST DIRECTOR OSCAR WINNER & NOMINEES:


BEST DIRECTOR CONTENDERS:
Before the Oscar nominations were announced, Variety took an early look at the contenders:

Three filmmakers widen their canvas

Luhrmann, Nolan, Fincher tackle biggest pics ever

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Female directors challenge status quo

Women embraced by critics, rewarded at box office

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THE GENERALS
This brigade of battle-tested vets and fast-rising recruits stands poised at the front ranks to gain Oscar voters’ hearts and minds
Darren Aronofsky
The Wrestler

Danny Boyle
Slumdog Millionaire

Stephen Daldry
The Reader

Clint Eastwood
Changeling
Gran Torino

David Fincher
The Curious Case of Benjamin Button

Ron Howard
Frost/Nixon

Baz Luhrmann
Australia

Sam Mendes
Revolutionary Road

Chris Nolan
The Dark Knight

Gus Van Sant
Milk

Oliver Stone
W.

Ed Zwick
Defiance


IN THE MIX
From old pros to up-and-comers, these cinematic rebels cannot be counted out of the Oscar race
Woody Allen
Vicky Cristina Barcelona

Jonathan Demme
Rachel Getting Married

Lance Hammer
Ballast

Charlie Kaufman
Synecdoche, New York

Mike Leigh
Happy-Go-Lucky