15 Early Predictions For 2018 Oscars

5. Alexander Payne Wins His Third Screenwriting Oscar

Downsizing is the latest effort from writer-director Alexander Payne, who has previously won Oscars for his screenplays of Sideways and The Descendants.

The Matt Damon and Kristen Wiig-starring sci-fi comedy about a man who shrinks himself in order to escape life's troubles, with its holiday release period, compelling cast and unique premise, certainly puts Payne in a ripe position to win his third Oscar.

Doing so would tie him with greats such as Woody Allen, Billy Wilder, Charles Brackett and Paddy Chayefsky, all of who have won three writing Oscars.

It's probably fair to say that the Best Original Screenplay category is a little easier to crack than the totally stacked adapted one, so that only really helps Payne's chances here.