The Writers Guild of America handed its top prizes for screen writing to best picture favorites as expected on Saturday night — but the current Oscar-front runner, The King’s Speech, was not one of them.
The award for best adapted screenplay went to the Aaron Sorkin-penned film, The Social Network, based on the non-fiction book written by Ben Mezrich.
Best original screenplay went to Christopher Nolan‘s science fiction action picture, Inception.
The favorite at the moment in the best picture race, The King’s Speech, was not eligible because of guild rules. Writer David Seidler is a member of the WGA in good standing, but his project was first optioned as a stage play by the producers rather than a film. For that reason, the initial deal did not fall under the auspices of the writer’s union.
Also ineligible were the indy darling, Winter’s Bone, as well as Toy Story 3, Blue Valentine and Another Year.