The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences might have taken out the new Popular Film category after receiving harsh criticism over the decision to create a new awards category for the Oscars, but that hasn't stopped Disney for rallying behind Marvel Studio's Black Panther.
Together with Marvel Studios, the Mickey Mouse House (via ComicBook.com) has just launched the Academy Awards campaign for T'Challa's (Chadwick Boseman) very first standalone film, and it doesn't look like the studios have any intention of holding back.
Not only is Marvel asking for the Academy to consider Black Panther for the Best Picture category, it's also asking for consideration for Best Director (Ryan Coogler), Best Adapted Screenplay (Ryan Coogler and Joe Robert Cole), Best Actor (Chadwick Boseman), Best Supporting Actor (Michael B. Jordan, Martin Freeman, Daniel Kaluuya, Winston Duke, Sterling Brown, Forest Whitaker, and Andy Serkis) as well as Best Supporting Actress (Lupita Nyong'o, Danai Gurira, Letitia Wright, and Angela Bassett),
The studio is also pushing for the film to receive technical awards like Best in Cinematography (Rachel Morrison), Best Film Editing (Michael P. Shawver, Debbie Berman), Best Production Design (Hannah Beachler, Jay Hart) and Best Costume Design (Ruth Carter).
The film also has a ton of other awards that it's aiming for at the Oscars – mostly because Marvel and Disney are both confident that the film would receive nominations this year. Black Panther was a huge commercial and critical success, with many regarding the movie one that proved that moviegoers considered diversity and representation especially important. Because of its relevance, many seem to believe that the film deserves some recognition from the Academy.
How about you? Do you think Black Panther deserves an Oscar? Feel free to share your thoughts in the comment section below.