“Superman Returns” leads the 33rd Annual Saturn Awards with 10 nominations

The Academy of Science Fiction, Fantasy & Horror films has announced the nominations for the 33rd Annual Saturn Awards. Leading the pack is Bryan Singer’s homage to the superhero mythos “Superman Returns” with 10 nominations. Garnering 6 nominations each, are “X-Men: The Last Stand” and Guillermo del Toro’s “Pan’s Labyrinth,” which received its nod in the restored category of Best International Film. Following closely behind are an eclectic mix: “Casino Royale,” “Mission Impossible III,” “Perfume: The Story of a Murderer,” “Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man’s Chest,” and “Stranger Than Fiction,” receiving 5 nominations each.

Warner Bros. Pictures flexed its muscles and led all film studios with a total of 21 nominations. Also with strong showings were Sony Pictures and 20th Century Fox with 15 and 13 nominations, respectively. Buena Vista plundered 11 nominations and MGM had a new license to kill with 8, followed closely by Picturehouse with 6 nominations and Lionsgate and Universal with 5 nominations each.

In the television categories, “Lost” continued to find nominations, receiving a total of 6. NBC’s newcomer “Heroes” burst onto the scene, earning 5 nominations, followed closely by Sci Fi’s “Battlestar Galactica” and Showtime’s “Dexter,” each garnering 4 nominations, while TNT’s “The Librarian: Return to King Solomon’s Mines” discovered 3 nominations.

A Special Recognition Award will be presented to the imaginative children’s book “Alien Xmas” written by Stephen Chiodo & Jim Strain, and published by Baby Tattoo Books.

This year marks the Academy of Science Fiction, Fantasy & Horror Films’ 35th Anniversary. The non-profit organization was founded in 1972 by film historian, Dr. Donald A. Reed. The Academy is currently headed by Robert Holguin, who serves as President of the Academy.

The winners will be announced at this year’s 33rd Annual Saturn Awards which takes place on Thursday, May 10, 2007 in Universal City. Hosting the event will be actor Greg Grunberg and comedian Jeffrey Ross. Grunberg is one of the stars of the highly popular NBC Universal television series, “Heroes” (and is nominated for his work on the show). Jeffrey Ross is one of the leading stand-up comedians whose brand of humor shines in roasts. Special Award recipients will be announced shortly.

Link: Saturn Awards