‘King’s Speech’ goes deep with the cast for SAG voters

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Harvey Weinstein really wants a SAG ensemble win for his cast of ‘The King’s Speech.’ The Weinstein Co. is pushing what they call ‘a dream cast’ in a new round of 60-second television spots that have been airing in advance of the Screen Actors Guild filling in ballots before Friday’s deadline. (The SAG Awards will be presented Sunday evening.)

Not only do the ads highlight the three leads: Colin Firth, Geoffrey Rush and Helena Bonham Carter, who all landed Oscar nominations this week, but they go further into the supporting cast that includes Guy Pearce, Derek Jacobi and Jennifer Ehle -- award-winning British actors who have not been recognized by any of the awards organizations but who have been called out by various critics. Pearce has been called ‘fantastic,’ while Ehle is ‘first-rate’ and Michael Gambon is ‘majestic.’

With the Oscars still a month away and many believing the race is opening up, a SAG win Sunday night will be crucial to the momentum of the nominees. None of that seems to be lost on Weinstein and Co. as they promote their British drama ‘The King’s Speech.’

--Nicole Sperling