Marvel Studios scored an enormous critical and commercial success with February’s Black Panther, a movie hailed by many as a landmark film in terms of representation, and one that Marvel supremo Kevin Feige has described as “the best movie we’ve ever made”.
Well, it seems that Disney and Marvel Studios are gearing up for a major Academy Awards push, hiring strategist Cynthia Swartz to put together an Oscar campaign for the Ryan Coogler-directed blockbuster.
And, rather than the recently announced Achievement in Popular Film Oscar, Marvel will be aiming for the big one, hoping to secure a Best Picture nomination which – if successful – would make Black Panther the first superhero movie to be acknowledged in the top category.
Feige has previously spoken about his hopes that the Academy recognises the movie, stating that: “Almost everyone involved in that movie, bringing that movie together, is great, and it would be wonderful to see if they’re recognized… I’d love to see this genre recognized. Yes, they’re visual effects, yes, they are fun explosions, yes, there are spaceships. But these are all hand-crafted. Maybe it’s in front of a computer; it’s often actual sets, actual hand-built costumes. As much passion and artistry and talent goes into every single one we do; it’d be amazing for them to be recognized.”
How do you rate Black Panther’s chances of Oscar glory? Is the film worthy of a Best Picture nomination, or do you think Achievement in Popular Film is its best shot? Let us know in the comments below…
After the events of Captain America: Civil War, King T’Challa returns home to the reclusive, technologically advanced African nation of Wakanda to serve as his country’s new leader. However, T’Challa soon finds that he is challenged for the throne from factions within his own country. When two foes conspire to destroy Wakanda, the hero known as Black Panther must team up with C.I.A. agent Everett K. Ross and members of the Dora Milaje, Wakandan special forces, to prevent Wakanda from being dragged into a world war.
Black Panther sees Ryan Coogler (Creed) directing Chadwick Boseman as T’Challa alongside Lupita Nyong’o as Nakia, Michael B. Jordan as Erik Killmonger, Danai Gurira as Okoye, Winston Duke as M’Baku, Forest Whitaker as Zuri, Daniel Kaluuya as W’Kabi, Angela Bassett as Ramonda, Florence Kasumba as Ayo, Martin Freeman as Everett Ross, Andy Serkis as Ulysses Klaue, Letitia Wright as Shuri, Sterling K. Brown as N’Jobu, John Kani as King T’Chaka and Nabiyah Be as Linda.
