Steven Spielbergis “really encouraged” that big blockbustersTop Gun: MaverickandAvatar: The Way of Waterearned Best Picture nominations this year — but there’s one recent hit he still wishes received a nod.
“It came late for the film that should have been nominated a number of years ago,Christopher Nolan’sThe Dark Knight,” Spielberg continued.
TheFabelmansfilmmaker explained thatThe Dark Knight— director Nolan’s second in his Batman trilogy and the highest-grossing film of 2008, perBoxOfficeMojo— “would have definitely garnered a Best Picture nomination today” after the Academycommitted to nominating a full 10 moviesfor its most-lauded prize each year in June 2020.
“So having these two blockbusters solidly presented on the top 10 list is something we should all be celebrating,” Spielberg added.
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While actorHeath Ledgerwon a posthumous Oscar for Best Supporting Actor for his role as the Joker inThe Dark Knightat the81st Academy Awards, the comic book movie was shut out from the Best Picture conversation, though it received eight total nominations.Slumdog Millionairewon Best Picture that year, andThe Dark Knightalso won Best Sound Editing.
After that year’s ceremony, the Academy moved to change the number of possible Best Picture nominees each year from five to anywhere between five and 10 films, chosen via a preferential ballot, according toIndieWire.
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Elsewhere in Spielberg’s conversation with Deadline, the director expressed a certain amount of optimism for the future of adult drama movies and theatrical releases.
“I think the pandemic really encouraged a lot of audiences, not just middle-aged audiences, but younger, to stay at home and watch on the medium screens in their houses,” he said.
The Fabelmansreceived seven Oscar nominations Tuesday, including Spielberg’s first career nomination for Best Original Screenplay.
source: people.com
