The Golden Globes — long known as Hollywood's favourite party, but rocked by recent scandals — will attempt to stage a celebrity-filled comeback on Tuesday, as films from Steven Spielberg's The Fabelmans to Top Gun and Avatar sequels compete for top honours.
The Globes traditionally play a key role in kick-starting the movie awards season, but were taken off air last year amid controversy over ethical lapses and a lack of diversity in the Hollywood Foreign Press Association, which organises the Beverly Hills gala.
This year, following efforts to reform the HFPA — which previously had no black members — NBC will broadcast the 80th Golden Globe Awards on a one-off basis, and invitations have been dispatched to Tinseltown's brightest stars.
A-listers expected in the ballroom at the Beverly Hilton include Spielberg, whose semi-autobiographical film is the favourite to win Best Drama, and Eddie Murphy, who will receive a career achievement award.
Comedian Jerrod Carmichael will host the ceremony, and Quentin Tarantino is among the night's presenters.
But many top nominees have not yet confirmed their attendance, and Deadline awards columnist Pete Hammond expects this year's Globes to be "different" from the glitzy, hard-partying bashes seen before Covid-19 and industry boycotts interrupted the merrymaking.
"They are going to be muted. There's no after-parties to go to. There's none of that. They're not spending big bucks, the studios, on all of this," Hammond said.
Those who walk the red carpet will be peppered with questions from journalists such as "Do you feel comfortable being here?" and "Are you satisfied they've made all the changes?" he predicted.
"It's not going to be exclusively 'What are you wearing?'"
Spielberg, Cruise, Cameron
Unlike the Oscars, the Golden Globes movie awards are split between "drama" and "comedy or musical" categories.
On the drama side, The Fabelmans is up against last year's two biggest box office hits — the blockbuster sequel Top Gun: Maverick starring Tom Cruise, and James Cameron's Avatar: The Way of Water.
-
Tom Cruise as Captain Pete 'Maverick' Mitchell in 'Top Gun: Maverick'. All photos: Paramount Pictures -
Jon Hamm plays Admiral Beau 'Cyclone' Simpson. -
Jennifer Connelly, left, takes the role of Penny Benjamin, the love interest of Cruise's character. -
Ed Harris plays the rear admiral. -
Charles Parnell plays Warlock. -
Lewis Pullman as pilot-in-training Bob. -
Monica Barbaro plays Lieutenant Natasha 'Phoenix' Trace. -
Miles Teller as Lieutenant Bradley 'Rooster' Bradshaw. -
Jay Ellis as Lieutenant Reuben 'Payback' Fitch. -
Danny Ramirez is Lieutenant 'Fanboy'. -
From left, Jay Ellis, Monica Barbaro and Danny Ramirez in 'Top Gun: Maverick'. -
Glen Powell is Lieutenant Jake 'Hangman' Seresin. -
Tom Cruise reprises his role 36 years after the first film came out.
Tar, set in the cutthroat world of classical music, and rock-and-roll biopic Elvis could also spring surprises.
Their respective stars — Cate Blanchett, who plays a ruthless music conductor, and Austin Butler, stepping into Presley's blue suede shoes — are frontrunners for drama acting prizes.
But The Whale nominee Brendan Fraser, who alleges he was once sexually assaulted by a former HFPA president, has ruled out attending Tuesday's gala.
Cruise, a producer on Top Gun: Maverick, is also unlikely to attend, after he returned his three Globes to the HFPA in 2021 in protest at its behaviour.
The Banshees of Inisherin holds the most overall nominations at this year's Globes, with eight, and is a favourite to win Best Comedy, as well as Best Comedy Actor for Colin Farrell.
The movie about a shattered friendship on a remote Irish island will contend with surreal, multiverse-hopping sci-fi film Everything Everywhere All At Once, which is seeking acting prizes for Michelle Yeoh, Jamie Lee Curtis and Ke Huy Quan.
'Scandal'
In years past, success at the Globes was a potential bellwether for films hoping to win Oscars, and served as a valuable marketing tool.
Indeed, Academy voters will begin casting ballots for Oscar nominations on Thursday, only days after the Globes gala.
But recent controversies have muddied the waters.
The addition of more than 100 new, more racially diverse Globes voters, who are not full HFPA members, has made it even harder to predict who the enigmatic group of foreign journalists will reward.
While movie billboards and commercials boasting of Globes nominations have returned after last year's notable absence, few nominees have publicly thanked the HFPA.
According to Hammond, some in the industry privately yearn for the old Globes to return because the show is an important "cog in the wheel of awards season" which has "been around Hollywood for 80 years".
"You can't buy tradition," he said.
But rows over diversity, alleged corruption and lack of professionalism have "lessened" the Globes' sheen when it comes to influencing the Oscars, Hammond said.
"When every (Globes) story talks about the scandal... it doesn't make it as credible, I think, to the Oscar voters," he said.
Golden Globes fashion: 56 of the best red carpet looks through history — in pictures
-
Zoey Deutch, wearing Fendi, arrives for the 77th Annual Golden Globe Awards on January 5, 2020 in Beverly Hills. EPA -
Anya Taylor Joy in emerald green Dior to remotely attend the 2021 Golden Globes on February 28, 2021. Photo: Instagram / Anya Taylor Joy -
Lupita Nyong'o, wearing Ralph Lauren, arrives for the 71st Annual Golden Globe Awards at the Beverly Hilton, in Beverly Hills, California, on January 12, 2014. EPA -
Angelina Jolie, wearing Versace, arrives at the 68th Annual Golden Globe Awards in Beverly Hills, California on January 16, 2011. AFP -
Gemma Chan, wearing Valentino, arrives for the 76th annual Golden Globe Awards ceremony at the Beverly Hilton Hotel, in Beverly Hills, California on January 6, 2019. EPA -
Saoirse Ronan, wearing Celine, arrives for the 77th Annual Golden Globe Awards on January 5, 2020 in Beverly Hills. EPA -
Lady Gaga, wearing Valentino, arrives for the 76th annual Golden Globe Awards ceremony at the Beverly Hilton Hotel, in Beverly Hills, California on January 6, 2019. EPA -
Tilda Swinton, wearing Haider Ackermann, arrives at the 69th annual Golden Globe Awards in Beverly Hills, California on January 15, 2012. Reuters -
Angelina Jolie, wearing Atelier Versace, arrives at the 69th annual Golden Globe Awards in Beverly Hills, California on January 15, 2012. Reuters -
Reese Witherspoon, wearing Nina Ricci, arrives at the 64th annual Golden Globe Awards in Beverly Hills, California on January 15, 2007. Reuters -
Scarlett Johansson, wearing Valentino, at the 63rd annual Golden Globe Awards in Beverly Hills, California on January 16, 2006. AFP -
Anne Hathaway, wearing Elie Saab, arrives for the 76th annual Golden Globe Awards ceremony at the Beverly Hilton Hotel, in Beverly Hills, California on January 6, 2019. EPA -
Sienna Miller, wearing Marchesa, arrives at the 64th annual Golden Globe Awards in Beverly Hills, California on January 15, 2007. Reuters -
Lupita Nyong'o, wearing Calvin Klein, arrives for the 76th annual Golden Globe Awards ceremony at the Beverly Hilton Hotel, in Beverly Hills, California on January 6, 2019. EPA -
Emma Stone, wearing Lanvin, arrives for the 72nd Annual Golden Globe Awards at the Beverly Hilton Hotel, in Beverly Hills on January 11, 2015. EPA -
Julianne Moore, wearing Givenchy, arrives for the 72nd Annual Golden Globe Awards at the Beverly Hilton Hotel, in Beverly Hills on January 11, 2015. EPA -
Jennifer Lopez, wearing Zuhair Murad, arrives for the 72nd Annual Golden Globe Awards at the Beverly Hilton Hotel, in Beverly Hills on January 11, 2015. EPA -
Eva Mendes, wearing Dior, arrives at the 66th Annual Golden Globe Awards held at the Beverly Hilton Hotel on January 11, 2009. AFP -
Margot Robbie, wearing Gucci, arrives for the 75th annual Golden Globe Awards ceremony at the Beverly Hilton Hotel in Beverly Hills, California, on January 7, 2018. EPA -
Blake Lively, wearing Atelier Versace, arrives for the 74th annual Golden Globe Awards ceremony at the Beverly Hilton Hotel in Beverly Hills, California on January 8, 2017. EPA -
Beyonce, wearing Elie Saab, arrives at the 64th annual Golden Globe Awards in Beverly Hills, California on January 15, 2007. AFP -
Emma Watson, wearing Dior, arrives for the 71st Annual Golden Globe Awards at the Beverly Hilton, in Beverly Hills, California, on January 12, 2014. EPA -
Amy Adams, wearing Versace, arrives for the 72nd Annual Golden Globe Awards at the Beverly Hilton Hotel, in Beverly Hills, California on January 11, 2015. EPA -
Jennifer Lawrence, wearing Dior, with her Golden Globe award for Best Actress during the 70th annual Golden Globe Awards held at the Beverly Hilton Hotel in Beverly Hills, Los Angeles, California on January 13, 2013. EPA -
Kate Bosworth, wearing Dolce & Gabbana, arrives for the 73rd Annual Golden Globe Awards at the Beverly Hilton Hotel in Beverly Hills, California on January 10, 2016. EPA -
Diane Kruger, wearing Prada, arrives for the 75th annual Golden Globe Awards ceremony at the Beverly Hilton Hotel in Beverly Hills, California, on January 7, 2018. EPA -
Emma Stone, wearing Valentino, arrives for the 74th annual Golden Globe Awards ceremony at the Beverly Hilton Hotel in Beverly Hills, California on January 8, 2017. EPAEPA/PAUL BUCK -
Claire Danes, wearing Versace, arrives for the 70th annual Golden Globe Awards held at the Beverly Hilton Hotel in Beverly Hills, Los Angeles, California on January 13, 2013. EPA -
Viola Davis, wearing Brandon Maxwell, arrives for the 75th annual Golden Globe Awards ceremony at the Beverly Hilton Hotel in Beverly Hills, California on January 7, 2018. -
Alicia Vikander, wearing Louis Vuitton, arrives for the 73rd Annual Golden Globe Awards at the Beverly Hilton Hotel in Beverly Hills, California on January 10, 2016. EPABUCK -
Jennifer Aniston, wearing Saint Laurent, arrives for the 72nd Annual Golden Globe Awards at the Beverly Hilton Hotel, in Beverly Hills on January 11, 2015. EPA -
Nicole Kidman, wearing Michael Kors, arrives for the 76th annual Golden Globe Awards ceremony at the Beverly Hilton Hotel, in Beverly Hills, California on January 6, 2019. EPA -
Julia Roberts, wearing Stella McCartney, arrives for the 76th annual Golden Globe Awards ceremony at the Beverly Hilton Hotel, in Beverly Hills, California on January 6, 2019. EPA -
Anne Hathaway, wearing Chanel, arrives for the 70th annual Golden Globe Awards held at the Beverly Hilton Hotel in Beverly Hills, Los Angeles, California on January 13, 2013. EPA -
Emily Blunt, wearing Michael Kors, with John Krasinski, arrives for the 70th annual Golden Globe Awards held at the Beverly Hilton Hotel in Beverly Hills, Los Angeles, California on January 13, 2013. EPA -
Elle Fanning in baby blue Gucci to remotely attend the 2021 Golden Globes on February 28, 2021. Photo: Instagram / Elle Fanning -
Angelina Jolie, in Atelier Versace, arrives at the 66th Annual Golden Globe Awards at the Beverly Hilton Hotel in Beverly Hills, Los Angeles, California on January 11, 2009. EPA -
Olivia Wilde, in Reem Acra, arrives for the 66th Annual Golden Globe Awards at the Beverly Hilton Hotel in Beverly Hills, California on January 11, 2009. EPA -
Helen Mirren, wearing Jenny Packham, arrives for the 71st Annual Golden Globe Awards at the Beverly Hilton, in Beverly Hills, California on January 12, 2014. EPA -
Mila Kunis, wearing Gucci, arrives for the 71st Annual Golden Globe Awards at the Beverly Hilton, in Beverly Hills, California on January 12, 2014. EPA -
Naomi Watts, wearing Gucci, with Liev Schreiber, arrives for the 72nd Annual Golden Globe Awards at the Beverly Hilton Hotel, in Beverly Hills on January 11, 2015. EPA -
Olivia Wilde, wearing Gucci, arrives for the 71st Annual Golden Globe Awards at the Beverly Hilton, in Beverly Hills, California on January 12, 2014. EPA -
Amal Clooney, wearing Dior, with George Clooney, arrives for the 72nd Annual Golden Globe Awards at the Beverly Hilton Hotel, in Beverly Hills on January 11, 2015. EPA -
Jennifer Lopez, wearing Giambattista Valli, arrives for the 73rd Annual Golden Globe Awards at the Beverly Hilton Hotel in Beverly Hills, California on January 10, 2016. EPA -
Jennifer Lawrence, wearing Dior, arrives for the 73rd Annual Golden Globe Awards at the Beverly Hilton Hotel in Beverly Hills, California on January 10, 2016. EPA -
Amanda Seyfried in coral Oscar de la Renta to remotely attend the 2021 Golden Globes on February 28, 2021. Photo: Twitter / Golden Globes -
Tracee Ellis Ross, wearing Zuhair Murad, during the 74th annual Golden Globe Awards ceremony at the Beverly Hilton Hotel in Beverly Hills, California on January 8, 2017. EPA -
Dakota Johnson, wearing Chanel, arrives for the 72nd Annual Golden Globe Awards at the Beverly Hilton Hotel, in Beverly Hills on January 11, 2015. EPA -
Emma Stone, in Louis Vuitton, arrives for the 76th annual Golden Globe Awards ceremony at the Beverly Hilton Hotel, in Beverly Hills, California on January 6, 2019. EPA -
Cate Blanchett, wearing Armani Prive, arrives for the 71st Annual Golden Globe Awards at the Beverly Hilton, in Beverly Hills, California, on January 12, 2014. EPA -
Julianne Moore, with Tom Ford and wearing Tom Ford, arrives for the 73rd Annual Golden Globe Awards at the Beverly Hilton Hotel in Beverly Hills, California on January 10, 2016. EPA -
Diane Kruger, wearing Dior, with Joshua Jackson, arrives at the 67th Golden Globe Awards in Los Angeles, California on January 17, 2010. EPA -
Kate Hudson, wearing Vera Wang, arrives at the 58th Annual Golden Globe Awards at the Beverly Hilton on January 21, 2001. Getty Images -
Charlize Theron, wearing Dior, arrives for the 62nd Annual Golden Globe Awards on January 16, 2005, in Beverly Hills. EPA -
Lily Collins in embellished Saint Laurent to remotely attend the 2021 Golden Globes on February 28, 2021. Photo: Instagram / Lily Collins -
Cate Blanchett, wearing Mary Katrantzou and Pomellato, arrives for the 77th Annual Golden Globe Awards on January 5, 2020 in Beverly Hills. EPA
