Oscar effects

Blockbusters like Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban and comic book sequel Spider-Man 2 are set to dominate the visual effects category at the f

17:11 20 December 2004

Dollar-saturated blockbusters like Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban and comic book sequel Spider-Man 2 are set to dominate the visual effects category at the forthcoming Academy Awards.

A total of seven films have been shortlisted for the much-coveted award, although only three will go forward as actual Oscar nominations.

Scorcese's Howard Hughes biopic The Aviator, disaster spectacle The Day After Tomorrow, Will Smith action movie I, Robot, Lemony Snicket and Sky Captain will all join Spidey and Harry on the shortlist.

Completing a clean sweep of award wins in 2004, it was Peter Jackson's much-deserving third instalment of the Lord of the Rings trilogy, The Return of the King, that scooped last year's effects award.

The three lucky nominees will be unveiled along with the other Oscar nominations on January 25th, ahead of the awards ceremony on February 27th to be held at the Kodak Theatre, Los Angeles.