**Early frontrunner status for nominations in the 2027 Best Adapted Screenplay race centers on a handful of high-profile 2026 releases with strong industry visibility.** The Invite from A24, adapted by Rashida Jones and Will McCormack from the Spanish film The People Upstairs, has emerged as a critical and commercial standout following its Sundance premiere, positioning it as a campaign favorite. Christopher Nolan’s The Odyssey and Dune: Part Three also command attention as ambitious studio adaptations with built-in prestige momentum, while Netflix’s La Bola Negra and Amazon’s Project Hail Mary round out the top tier per recent Variety rankings. Trader consensus reflects these films’ early reviews, festival buzz, and studio backing ahead of the December shortlist and January 21 nominations announcement, though the category remains fluid as more 2026 titles screen and guild signals emerge.