The Aviator, a Howard Hughes biopic directed by Martin Scorsese, written by Star Trek Nemesis scribe John Logan and featuring an appearance by Brent Spiner (Data), is being discussed as a probable contender for this years Golden Globes and, later, the Academy Awards.

The Hollywood Reporter is calling 2004 a competitive year for the Golden Globes, awarded by the Hollywood Foreign Press Association, yet lists The Aviator among the likely multiple nominees, though the film had not yet screened by mid-November. Scorsese's 2002 release, Gangs of New York, earned five nominations and won one for the director. "If 'Aviator' lives up to its buzz, the film quickly could become the movie to beat this time around," wrote Hollywood Reporter scribe Stephen Galloway.

While star Leonardo DiCaprio is not considered a lock for a nomination given the already-impressive competition in the drama category, Cate Blanchett, Kate Beckinsale and Alan Alda received mention as possible supporting performance nominees.

Gold Derby also mentioned Blanchett's likely nomination for an Oscar for her portrayal of Katharine Hepburn (a role currently being played onstage in Tea at Five by Star Trek: Voyager's Kate Mulgrew). "'The Aviator, to the surprise of many at a recent screening for the Hollywood Foreign Press, kept most of its promises as an award-worthy epic," noted the web site. "Nominations for Martin Scorsese and Leonardo DiCaprio seemed a lock, and even Best Picture appeared reachable. The audience offered enthusiastic applause when the movie ended."

Spiner appears in The Aviator as Robert Gross, the president of the Lockheed aircraft company. More information is available here at the Trek Nation.

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