As the anticipation builds for the upcoming Oscars, Christopher Nolan’s latest epic, Oppenheimer, is on everyone’s lips. The film hailed as a cinematic masterpiece has garnered critical acclaim for its compelling storytelling, stellar performances, and impeccable direction.
Despite critical acclaim and widespread anticipation, Christopher Nolan’s Oppenheimer faces a surprising hurdle in its Oscar race. The film praised for its historical accuracy and Nolan’s signature direction is unlikely to be shortlisted in the Best Visual Effects category, according to Variety.
Oppenheimer is Unlikely to be Shortlisted in This Category
This news comes as a shock, considering the film’s emphasis on recreating the Trinity test, the first nuclear detonation, without the use of CGI. While the reliance on practical effects garnered much attention and praise, it seems the Academy may not consider it sufficient for a nomination.
According to Variety, the 20 films shortlisted in this category include movies such as Greta Gerwig’s Barbie, Yorgos Lanthimos’ Poor Things, and Zack Snyder’s Rebel Moon: Part One – A Child of Fire. But there is no place for Cillian Murphy and Robert Downey Jr. starrer, Oppenheimer.
While the film has been celebrated for its overall technical prowess, the specific field of visual effects is highly competitive, with other blockbuster films often dominating the conversation.
The 20 movies will go on to the next round of voting, which will open on December 14 to 18. Ten films will be named on Dec. 21, along with nine other categories. The five nominees will be selected after January 11-16 voting, with the nominations announced on Jan. 23 in all categories.
The 96th Oscars will be held on Sunday, March 10.
The Top 20 in The Visual Effect Category
As per Variety, this year, the list is full of big-budget movies with some surprising calls. This year, the competition is fierce, with several major studios vying for recognition in the visual effects category.
Unsurprisingly, Marvel Studios has left an indelible mark on the Visual Effects category with not one but three finalists. Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania, Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3, and The Marvels showcases the studio’s commitment to pushing the boundaries of visual storytelling within the superhero genre.
Warner Bros. also has a strong presence on the shortlist, with three titles: Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom, Barbie, and Wonka.
Disney, the parent company of Marvel, has not one but two additional horses in the race. Gareth Edwards’ The Creator from 20th Century Studios and James Mangold’s Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny from Walt Disney Studios.
Paramount Pictures is not far behind, boasting three contenders that promise to captivate audiences. Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves, Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning Part One, and Transformers: Rise of the Beasts.
Streaming giant Netflix has firmly established itself as a major player in the film industry, and this year is no exception. The swimming biopic Nyad, the survival biopic Society of the Snow, and the upcoming Snyder movie, Rebel Moon, represent Netflix’s diverse range of offerings.
Among the unexpected entries are George Clooney’s sports drama, The Boys in the Boat from Amazon MGM, and the recently released Godzilla: Minus One from Toho. Apple’s two nominations include Killers of the Flower Moon, a crime epic directed by Martin Scorsese, and Napoleon, a historical drama directed by Ridley Scott.
A standout inclusion is the animated feature Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse from Sony, aiming to follow in the footsteps of classics like The Nightmare Before Christmas and Kubo and the Two Strings as one of the few animated movies ever nominated in the Visual Effects category.
Searchlight Pictures received a significant accolade with the inclusion of Poor Things in the list of Visual Effects Oscar contenders.
Among the star-studded finalists, not seeing a name like Oppenheimer is a real disappointment for fans. However, it remains a frontrunner in several other categories, including Best Picture, Best Director, and Best Actor for Cillian Murphy’s portrayal of J. Robert Oppenheimer.
