Hollywood stars have snubbed next weekend’s Bafta film awards despite hopes that the event would benefit from the writers’ strike that threatens to curtail the Oscars, the industry’s biggest night.

Best Actor Oscar nominees George Clooney, Johnny Depp and Tommy Lee Jones have all indicated their unavailability, as have Best Actress candidates Julie Christie, Laura Linney and Ellen Page.

Supporting Actress nominees Casey Affleck, Philip Seymour Hoffman and Hal Holbrook have also failed to respond to invitations to attend the Bafta ceremony.

A breakthrough in contract talks has been reached between Hollywood studios and striking writers, which could mean the Oscars going ahead as planned.

Daniel Day-Lewis will make a rare public appearance at Sunday night’s Bafta awards, where he is tipped to win the Leading Actor prize for his performance in There Will Be Blood.

Nominees attending the event at the Royal Opera House include the directors Joel Coen and Anton Corbijn, and the actors Keira Knightley and James McAvoy.

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