Lionsgate’s ‘Are You There God? It’s Me, Margaret’ Submits for Comedy Categories at Golden Globes (EXCLUSIVE)

Lionsgate’s adaptation of the Judy Blume novel “Are You There God? It’s Me, Margaret” has been submitted for the Golden Globes in the comedy/musical categories, Variety has learned exclusively. With the expansion from five to six nominees this year, the movie will compete for recognition against Warner Bros’ “Barbie,” Searchlight Pictures’ “Poor Things” and Focus Features’ “The Holdovers.”

Written and directed by Kelly Fremon Craig, the film tells the story of 11-year-old Margaret, who is uprooted from her life in New York to New Jersey, where she deals with the challenges of new friends and a new school.

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The coming-of-age dramedy boasts a roster of multiple Oscar winners and nominees among its cast and artisans, notably standout supporting actress hopeful Rachel McAdams, who was previously nominated for the best picture winner “Spotlight” (2015). Her young co-star Abby Ryder Fortson, who plays Margaret, will campaign as the sole lead.

Other notable talents include actor Kathy Bates (“Misery”) as Margaret’s grandmother, along with producer James L. Brooks (“Terms of Endearment”), composer Hans Zimmer (“Dune”) and costume designer Ann Roth (“Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom”). Roth would be the oldest person ever nominated in any category if recognized.

Craig was nominated for the DGA Awards’ first-time director prize for “The Edge of Seventeen” (2016), which managed a Golden Globe nom for its lead comedy actress Hailee Steinfeld. Currently, “Are You There God? It’s Me, Margaret” is the best-reviewed wide-release movie of the year, scoring 99% on Rotten Tomatoes.

Another Lionsgate film the studio is also feeling bullish on is “John Wick Chapter 4” being among the eight movies named in the Globes’ new category for Cinematic and Box Office Achievement, which recognizes films grossing over $150 million.

“Are You There God? It’s Me, Margaret” was recently added to the Newport Beach Film Festival, which will include a post-screening Q&A with author Judy Blume, Craig and producers Brooks and Julie Ansell.

Read the latest Golden Globes predictions on Variety Awards Circuit in the film and television categories.

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