The beloved canine actor Messi from the Oscar-nominated film Anatomy Of A Fall is reportedly not attending the ceremony. The border collie was a fan favorite and had even racked up some love at the Oscars luncheon with actors such as Bradley Cooper and Ryan Gosling. Fans of the canine stare were reportedly disappointed with the news.
While no official comment was given by the Academy, an insider revealed that many production companies were not happy with the way the dog from the film received attention from potential voters. The Oscars are one of the most anticipated events of the year as they end the awards season. Many of the past year’s nominees have the finale to end their run on a high as they campaign across award shows to win the coveted trophies.
Messi, the Anatomy of a Fall Dog Was A Star At The Oscars Luncheon
Messi, the dog who played Snoop in Justine Triet’s legal drama Anatomy of a Fall was one of the most beloved characters from the film. The film won the Golden Globe for Best Picture – Non-English Language and Best Screenplay, and it also won the Palme d’Or at the Cannes Film Festival. Messi was also awarded the ‘Palm Dog’ award at the festival.
The dog gained international attention when it received love from prominent celebrities at the Oscar Nominees Luncheon. According to The Hollywood Reporter, Messi had a lot of fun at the Luncheon as he met Barbie nominee Ryan Gosling who fawned over the canine star. The dog also reportedly met with Emma Stone, Bradley Cooper, and Billie Eilish.
Laura Martin, who trained and handled Messi mentioned to THR that he bonded with Eilish and Cooper the most. She said,
“The big moment was with Billie Eilish, who bonded with Messi for almost 10 minutes. They were hugging and petting and they really had a vibe. Then Bradley Cooper bumped into him in the hallway. The dog went right to him, so they also had a connection.”
Martin went on to say that Messi received a lot of attention in LA as compared to France, even after winning the Palm Dog at the Cannes Film Festival.
Why Won’t The Dog From Anatomy Of A Fall Not Attend The Oscars?
Justin Triet’s Anatomy of a Fall had a scene-stealing cast member in the form of Messi, the dog actor who played the role of Snoop in the film. The dog was seen hanging out with Hollywood stars such as Ryan Gosling and Bradley Cooper at the Oscars Nominees Luncheon. Messi has also traveled across festivals, such as Cannes and Venice.
According to THR, the dog has been having a dream run at various award shows and festivals. Handler Laura Martin mentioned that his fame started when he won the Palm Dog at the Cannes Film Festival. She said,
“All of this attention began at Cannes. There were a few interviews in France. But what we’ve been experiencing here in America — with the attention to this dog and his acting — it’s beyond anything we anticipated. It’s probably the maximum that you can accomplish in this field.”
Despite all the love, Messi was reportedly not attending the Oscars ceremony where Anatomy of a Fall has been nominated for five awards, including Best Picture. The Internet sensation’s presence at the Luncheon reportedly received flack from other nominee production houses.
According to a source who told THR, Messi’s presence was criticized for potentially influencing votes during the nomination windows. While no official confirmation has been given regarding the reasons for Messi’s absence, it was true that the legendary performer would not be making it to LA again.
