Gigantic news today for those of us who professionally handicap 2012 Oscar nominees and winners. An 800-pound gorilla just entered the room.

Its name is Hitchcock. Not long ago, we interviewed UCLA film prof Howard Suber about his visit to the downtown LA set of that movie, on the last day of filming. Per THR awards watcher Scott Feinberg, here is just one of the many ways Fox Searchlight’s decision to move up release to Thanksgiving could impact this fall’s film awards season:

While the best actor race is already extremely crowded, which may make Anthony Hopkins’ path bumpy, the road to a best actress nom for 2006 winner Helen Mirren, who I’m told goes toe-to-toe with Hopkins in this film, looks a lot clearer. Indeed, that category is so thin this year… that studios at recent fests were clamoring with each other over any film featuring even a so-so leading performance from a female.

Today’s decision opens the Norman flood-Bates and instantly makes this year’s top Oscar races just that much more interesting. Way to go, Hitch!

Previously on FishbowlLA:
UCLA Prof, Students Visit Sacha Gervasi’s Hitchcock Set