Last week, word came out that the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences decided to create a new award for the Oscars, the Outstanding Achievement in Popular film. While some believe that the new category would give more recognition to blockbuster films like Deadpool 2 and Avengers: Infinity War, others criticized the addition of the award saying that it only demeaned the Oscars. Meanwhile, others criticize the move saying that it was only done so that the Oscars could appease Black Panther fans without having it nominated for the biggest award of the night, Best Picture.
Now, Black Panther star Sterling K. Brown speaks up about the issue, telling Variety that T'Challa's (Chadwick Boseman) standalone movie still has its own merits outside of popularity.
"When I first heard of the category, the first question I had was, ‘What is the criterion for being nominated in this category?'" Brown said. "If it's something that can give it some sort of merit and legitimacy, then I think it's cool. But I think Black Panther stands on its own merits regardless of its popularity as being a wonderful piece of art."
It's true that Black Panther has its own merits outside being a blockbuster film. One of the reasons why the film was a major success for Marvel was because it was the first comicbook movie to feature an all-black cast, breaking bounderies and turning the tide towards progress. Black Panther could very well be nominated for other major awards at the Oscars – well, if the Academy put off its bias against comic book movies, that is.
What do you think of the new Oscar Award? Feel free to share your thoughts in the comment section below.
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