Oscar nominees with ties to Chicago head to Hollywood

CHICAGO (WLS) -- Oscar nominees are on their way to Hollywood right now. Many have ties to Chicago and could be winners Sunday night!

Gary Oldman has already scored major awards for his performance in "Darkest Hour" but this would be the grand prize.

"Nothing to complain about, someone saying you may get an Oscar...things could be worse. I'll only believe it when it's in my hands and I'm walking off!" Oldman said.

The academy calls him Lonnie Lynn, but here in his hometown, he's Common! This could be his 2nd Oscar.

Chicago native Virgil Williams is nominated for the script of "Mudbound."

Illinois native and Steppenwolf ensemble member Laurie Metcalf got her role from director Greta Gerwig, a double nominee.

"Mothers go with their daughters to see the movie and see each other differently after some of the exchanges in the film and I think that's incredible that art can do that," Metcalf said.

Tracy Letts is a Steppenwolf standout who co-stars with Metcalf. He's also in "The Post" which is up for Best Picture. He's rooting for Laurie.

"We come from the same world we speak the same language so when we showed up on set to do the thing we just clicked," Letts said.

Daniel Kaluuya is soaring as part of the "Black Panther" phenomenon right now along with castmate Winston Duke. He's up for Best Actor for the horror hit "Get Out." Jordan Peele is nominated for directing and writing that film. His time in Chicago at Second City helped launch his career.

KALUUYA: I try not to think about the nomination and everyone goes, 'You're Oscar nominated, hard to forget.' I kind of need to really take in what's happening to me at the moment and really process it but...

DUKE: I just call him Oscar, I call him Oscar now!

KALUUYA: And I answer!

Make sure to join us on ABC 7 for Oscar Sunday starting with Eyewitness News at 4 p.m., followed by On The Red Carpet at The Oscar at 4:30 p.m. At 5:30 p.m., join us for the Oscars Opening Ceremony: Live from the Red Carpet. The main event - the 90th Academy Awards - is at 7 p.m. And then Eyewitness News will be live Los Angeles at 10 p.m.