The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences announced the nominees for the 89th Oscars this morning. Superhero movies didn’t do much better than they’ve done in previous years, picking up two nominations. Rogue One: A Star Wars Story picked up its own pair of nominations.
Doctor Strange was the first superhero film to have its name called this morning. It was nominated for Best Visual Effects. Stephane Ceretti (visual effects supervisor), Richard Bluff (visual effects supervisor: ILM), Vincent Cirelli (visual effects supervisor: Luma Pictures), and Paul Corbould (special effects supervisor) were nominated from the film.
Suicide Squad was next with a nomination for Best Makeup and Hairstyling. Alessandro Bertolazzi (makeup and hair designer), Giorgio Gregorini (wig supervisor), and Christopher Nelson (department head “Killer Croc” fx make-up artist KNB efx group) were nominated for their work on the film.
Superhero movies stopped at two nominations this year, but Rogue One: A Star Wars Story might help fans feel a little better today with its two nominations. It was nominated for Best Sound Mixing with David Parker (re-recording mixer), Christopher Scarabosio (supervising sound editor), and Stuart Wilson (production sound mixer) all being recognized. John Knoll (visual effects supervisor), Mohen Leo (visual effects supervisor), Hal Hickel (animation supervisor: ILM), and Neil Corbould (special effects supervisor) will represent the film in the Best Visual Effects category.
Superheroes and Star Wars are no strangers to the categories in which they were nominated this year, but that doesn’t make the achievement any less significant for the films and the individual nominees that were recognized this morning. Fans have been hoping for a superhero movie to break into the Best Picture category (Star Wars already has) ever since The Dark Knight was snubbed in 2008, leading to the category’s expansion from five to a potential ten nominees each year.
Despite some rumblings that it might break the superhero movie glass ceiling, Deadpool was ultimately unable to convert its surprising awards season momentum into a Best Picture nomination. The film did not receive any nominations in any category. Deadpool may have fallen short, but the superhero genre will have several more chances to make an impression on The Academy in the coming years.
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