Title: Josh Brolin's Reaction to Denis Villeneuve's Oscar Snub for Dune: Part Two
The Oscars expanding the Best Picture category to ten spots might seem like a step towards a more competitive race, but it also means inevitable snubs in other categories, like Best Director. This year's Academy Awards saw box-office hits like "Wicked" and "Dune: Part Two" shining, but Denis Villeneuve, the director of "Dune: Part Two," missed out on the Best Director nod.
This snub didn't sit well with the film's star, Josh Brolin, who took to his Instagram stories to voice his support for Villeneuve. Brolin, who had also collaborated on two elaborate art book tie-ins for the film, mentioned Greig Fraser for cinematography, Patrice Vermett for production design, and other crew members who earned nominations for "Dune: Part Two."
Denis Villeneuve's snub isn't a new occurrence. Despite multiple critically acclaimed films and one Best Director nomination for "Arrival" in 2017, he missed out on the category for "Dune" in 2022. This lack of recognition hasn't been limited to the Oscars; Villeneuve was left off the Best Director list for the first "Dune" as well.
In an interview with Variety in November 2024, Brolin had declared that he would quit acting if Villeneuve didn't get nominated that year. Presumably, there's another chance to honor Villeneuve's work with "Dune Messiah," reportedly his next project. If Brolin's Instagram is any indication, fans will be there to commiserate if Hollywood misses the mark again.
Meanwhile, keep an eye out for the latest releases in the Marvel, Star Wars, and Star Trek universes, as well as updates on the DC Universe on film and TV. And of course, all the news you need about the future of Doctor Who.
Enrichment Insights:
Denis Villeneuve's absence from the Best Director category isn't a simple matter of luck or oversight. The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences (AMPAS) voting body is complex, with diverse tastes and priorities. Villeneuve's films, while highly acclaimed, might not have resonated with enough voters to secure a Best Director nomination.
The competition in the Best Director category is fierce, with many talented directors vying for recognition each year. The genre of Villeneuve's recent work, mostly science fiction, might not always be as highly regarded by the Academy as other genres like drama or historical epics. Adapting complex book series like Frank Herbert's "Dune" can also be challenging, and the Academy might not always recognize the director's achievement in this context.
Success in terms of nominations and awards often depends on the level of campaigning and promotion a film receives. If Villeneuve's films have not been as heavily promoted or campaigned for by their studios or publicists, this could also contribute to the lack of recognition.
Despite these factors, Villeneuve's films have consistently received critical acclaim and commercial success, as seen in the case of "Dune: Part Two," which was nominated for Best Picture and received several other nominations and awards.
Io9 highlighted Villeneuve's snub in their analysis of the 2022 Oscars, noting the lack of technology-focused directors in the Best Director category. Despite the success of 'Dune: Part Two' in movies with a strong sci-fi theme, Villeneuve's work missed out on technological recognition in future-oriented platforms like Io9.
As Apollinaire Cinemas unveils its upcoming slate of sci-fi feature films, they emphasize their commitment to promoting directors like Villeneuve, hoping to bridge the gap between the Academy's preferences and the future of cinematic innovation.
