Feige, Coogler, and company's work paid off yesterday. After tirelessly campaigning for Black Panther all awards season, they have finally achieved their goal - recognition from the Academy. Due to the cultural importance of the film, it is no surprise that it would leave a mark on progressive voters. The first black superhero epic of the modern era is now the first comic book movie to be nominated for Best Picture.
Black Panther will be facing stiff competition in several categories when the ceremony airs February 24th. Whether it will win anything or not obviously remains to be seen, but what are its chances?.
BEST PICTURE: Following awards talks all season, it has been clear that the frontrunner is A Star is Born. But with a release in October and the enthusiasm fading away, other competitors have shown themselves to be serious threats to the film. The best indicator of who would win Best Picture over the past few years has always been the Producers Guild Awards and the Critics Choice Awards, who have given their top prize to Green Book and Roma. Ultimately, logistics regarding this category have been confusing and ever changing, but nothing has led to Black Panther leaning towards the victory quite yet.
BEST ORIGINAL SCORE: In the eyes of many, Black Panther has had one of the best blockbuster scores this century, with African percussion and blaring trumpets giving Wakanda a whole new dimension. Transfusing with modern trap beats and memorable cues, composer Ludwig Goransson did a great job with the film. In addition to winning the Golden Globe, First Man's Justin Hurwitz has been the industry frontrunner, but due to his surprising snub, Goransson's chances have increased. But is that enough to overcome Beale Street's Nicholas Britell? Right now analysts are putting it in Britell's favor.
COSTUME DESIGN: Costume designer Ruth Carter has been an Academy favorite over the past few decades with Black Panther marking her third nomination. The only thing standing in her way right now is Yorgos Lanthimos' The Favourite. With more nominations and wins among independent film groups, it has a good chance against Carter. But it is worth noting that Carter won the Critic's Choice Award, the best predictor of Oscar winners over the past decade, and that Black Panther, which is not an independent film, is not eligible for indie film awards. As of now it is a toss up between the two, but for the three time nominee, it's about time she got the win.
BEST ORIGINAL SONG: Kendrick Lamar had a fantastic 2018, in what was pretty much a victory lap following DAMN. the artist was nominated Record of the Year for the Black Panther compilation. It helps that the critically lauded album has been nominated for several Grammys, but the song in question, All the Stars featuring SZA, has no chance against Lady Gaga's "Shallow." The EGOT can wait Kenny, you have the time.
PRODUCTION DESIGN: Similar to costume design, Hannah Beachler, who is the first African American woman to be nominated in the category, won the Critic's Choice Award. Her win will be determined by how The Favourite keeps on performing during awards season.
SOUND EDITING and SOUND MIXING: Sound editing and sound mixing often have superhero and action nominees, but in most cases the Oscar still goes to the category's more prestigious films. In this case, the roaring atmospheric space sounds of First Man, and the fantastic concert mixing of A Star is Born are bound to take the pair. In a perfect world, A Quiet Place would nab both.
Which, if any, Oscars do you think Black Panther will win? Sound off below.