Deadpool screenplay up for Writers Guild award

Image source, Fox

Image caption, Ryan Reynolds played masked vigilante Deadpool in the anarchic superhero film

Superhero film Deadpool has received a surprise nomination from the Writers Guild of America (WGA) ahead of its annual awards on 19 February.

The X-Men spin-off, starring Ryan Reynolds, is one of five films up for the guild's adapted screenplay prize.

Oscar-tipped titles La La Land and Moonlight are among those in contention for its original screenplay award.

Last year both Spotlight and The Big Short went on to win screenplay Oscars after being recognised by the WGA.

Deadpool's competition includes Denzel Washington's film version of August Wilson's stage play Fences.

In a statement, the actor and director said it was "a huge honour to shoulder the responsibility of Wilson's words being brought to the big screen".

Image source, Paramount

Image caption, Denzel Washington appears with Viola Davis in Fences, which he also directed

Sci-fi film Arrival, Nasa-based drama Hidden Figures and Tom Ford's Nocturnal Animals are also up for the adapted screenplay honour.

La La Land and Moonlight are joined by Hell or High Water, Loving and Manchester by the Sea in the original screenplay category.

The WGA also awards a prize for documentary screenplay, with Author: The JT LeRoy Story - a film about a female author - among the three nominees.

Guild rules dictate that a number of much-favoured awards contenders - among them Lion and animated film Zootropolis - are not eligible for its prizes.

The WGA's also includes citations for TV programmes, among them Games of Thrones, Veep and The People vs OJ Simpson.

Deadpool is up for two awards at this weekend's Golden Globes, among them the prize for best film musical or comedy.

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