Chicago director Rob Marshall has beaten Hollywood heavyweights Martin Scorsese and Roman Polanski to the prestigious Director's Guild of America award. The prize makes him the clear favourite to pick up the corresponding award at the Oscars later this month.
The first-time director was clearly taken aback by having won, particularly as he was considered unlikely to emerge victorious. Polanski's The Pianist and Scorsese'sGangs Of New York were tipped as the two main contenders, but it was Rob who got the nod at the Los Angeles ceremony.
"This is something I didn't quite expect," he said, before admitting he felt "overwhelmed". The 42-year-old filmmaker's achievement is made all the more impressive by the fact that he had only 60 days to make the $45 million feature.
Martin Scorsese, meanwhile, took home a lifetime achievement award, though it was undoubtedly the director gong he was hoping for. Despite his enormous contribution to American cinema, the Hollywood A-lister is yet to pick up a best director or best picture Oscar, and Rob's unexpected win does not bode well for Scorsese's chances this year.
As many of the Director's Guild members are also Academy voters, the prize is considered the most accurate indication of who will take home the gong come Oscar night. Indeed, there have only been five occasions in the 53-year history of the DGA that its winner has not gone on to victory at the Academy Awards.
Photo: © Alphapress.com
Photo: © Alphapress.com
