This year the Academy will nominate several movies for the Best Visual Effects Oscar, and on that list will definitely not be the comic book movie hit – AQUAMAN. Recently the shortlists came out for several categories, including for Original Score, Foreign Film and more, with AQUAMAN snubbed from the Visual Effects slot. This is not sitting well with fans of the movie, nor with director James Wan, who took to social media to say the snub was a “f**king disgrace.”
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The quote comes from the comments section of a Facebook post published by Wan (via IndieWire), in which he thanks the fans for showing out in such force for his movie. In the comments, visual effect supervisor Kevin McIlwain gave his thanks to Wan for letting him and his team be part of the movie, to which Wan replied by voicing his anger over their work not being appreciated.
“Kelvin, you and your department are the unsung heroes of this film. The fact that your VFX peers in the Academy aren’t recognizing or appreciating what we/you’ve all contributed to the film and cinema is a fucking disgrace.”
McIlwain responded, saying, “I'm with you James. It was a complete shock to everyone that we are not in the final 10 films that will be presenting at the Academy VFX Bake-off. The selection process is very flawed in my opinion and too open to influence.”
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Last month the list was put out with 10 titles listed as the movies that were making it to the “final round” of nominations (you know, like MasterChef: Oscars Edition). The movies listed are as followed, and I can already sense your eye roll when you get to the final entry.
Surely, audiences do not agree with AQUAMAN being snubbed. A runaway success, the movie is doing gangbusters at the box office and will soon cross $1 billion globally as audiences continue to flock to the underwater adventure. Critics, though not praising the movie en masse, seem to all be in agreeance that the visuals are stunning with numerous scenes capable of leaving audiences floored.
While it's a shame that AQUAMAN won't be recognized for its incredible visuals, we have to remember that these golden trophies, ultimately, don't matter. Anyone who has seen this movie knows the visuals are superb and the world the VFX team created is nothing short of breathtaking. I can point to any scene to prove this point, like Aquaman/Arthur (Jason Momoa) and Mera (Amber Heard) escaping the Trench creatures, or the fights between Arthur and Orm (Patrick Wilson). AQUAMAN doesn't need an Oscar, because unlike WELCOME TO MARWEN, this movie has fans.
AQUAMAN is in theaters now.