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Who Will Win Best Original Score At The 2021 Oscars?

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In a relatively rare move, Academy voters have included two musicians in this space twice, giving both a pair of nods in the same year. Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross have two chances to win Best Original Score at the ninety-third Academy Awards, and while that’s certainly impressive, it can also be a hindrance. Sometimes, competing against oneself can split the votes, causing the artist who earned both nods to go home empty handed. This has happened before, and it’s something to look out for.

Will that happen again on Sunday (April 26) when the Oscars are staged once again? Here’s my prediction.

Nominees

Terence Blanchard - Da 5 Bloods

Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross - Mank

Emile Mosseri  - Minari

James Newton Howard - News of the World

Trent Reznor, Atticus Ross and Jon Batiste - Soul

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Should Win: Mank or Soul

Will Win: Soul

While being nominated against yourself can be a bad omen, I believe that Reznor and Ross, joined by fellow musician and composer Jon Batiste, will come out on top for the score they crafted for the Disney film Soul. The animated movie was well-received, with music playing a big part in both the story and in creating an atmosphere. Voters are sure to be impressed with how it changes styles from scene to scene, but still works brilliantly as a whole. 

The trio won the Golden Globe for Best Original Score earlier this year, and it appears the musicians will repeat their success this weekend.

Sadly, I believe that two-time nominee Blanchard, first-time nominee Mosseri and nine-time nominee Howard (one of the most-nominated people to never come away a champion) will all have to wait for another year to score their first Oscars.

Should they win, Reznor and Ross will score their second Academy Awards together, as they first won for composing the music that accompanied the film The Social Network. In addition to their Oscars, the talented pair have also collected at least one Emmy and one Grammy together. With his band Nine Inch Nails, Reznor has an additional two Grammys sitting on a shelf at home.

Batiste is a three-time Grammy nominee, but he has yet to win.

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