Last month, the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences announced the creation of a new category for “popular films”
Before the announcement, Marvel’s Black Panther seemed likely to become the first superhero movie to score a ‘Best Picture’ Oscar nomination.
A few months ago, Ryan Coogler’s acclaimed hit reopened the debate about the Oscar-worthiness of films within the superhero genre.
But the announcement of this new category could very well shatter the film’s chances at a ‘Best Picture’ nod.
According to Vanity Fair, Marvel hired an Oscar specialist to lead the Black Panther ‘Best Picture’ nomination campaign.
“I would like to see the work, effort, vision, and faith of the talented Ryan Coogler … rewarded,”
said Kevin Feige, president of Marvel Studios.
Black Panther is the third most profitable movie of all time in the U.S.
It has awakened important debates on racism, the repercussions of slavery and the portrayal of ethnic minorities on the big screen.
Meanwhile, the film is in the top ten most profitable films in Hollywood history with a total of $ 1.3 billion in revenue .