Kevin Feige Says Marvel Is "Always At A Deficit" When It Comes To Oscars Because Of Genre Bias

Kevin Feige Says Marvel Is "Always At A Deficit" When It Comes To Oscars Because Of Genre Bias

Superhero movies don't tend to get a lot of recognition at The Oscars, and Marvel Studios head honcho Kevin Feige has now pretty much called out the Academy Awards for what he sees as "genre bias."

By MarkCassidy - Dec 11, 2021 11:12 AM EST
Filed Under: No Way Home

It's a well-known fact that superhero movies - or sci-fi/fantasy films in general, really - don't tend to get much love at the Academy Awards in any of the major categories. There have been a few notable deviations from the norm over the years, of course, but the likes of The Lord of The Rings: The Return of The King (which swept the Oscars in 2004) and Black Panther (which was nominated for Best Picture in 2019) are really just the exceptions that prove the rule.

Marvel Studios chief Kevin Feige acknowledged the challenges of Oscar recognition during an interview with THR, pretty much calling out the Academy for what he refers to as "genre bias."

“I think we are always at a deficit because of the Marvel logo and because of a genre bias that certainly exists. I just loved that for a shining moment there with Black Panther that was put aside and the work was recognized for the achievement that it was,” says Feige when asked about the prospect of some awards recognition for Shang-Chi. “There are a lot of comic fans that didn’t know who Shang-Chi was. And yet the work that Destin did and Dave did and Sue did and Joel did, created something new that connected with audiences."

We recognized it, the audience recognized it, and I sure would love the hard work of all of these people who are telling their story to get recognized," he added.

The Academy famously expanded the Best Picture category to allow 10 nominees instead of 5 after The Dark Knight was snubbed in 2009, but it hasn't seemed to make much difference.

Could Shang-Chi follow Black Panther by becoming only the second ever superhero movie to be nominated for Best Picture? The Phase 4 film did garner plenty of critical acclaim, but it seems unlikely. Our best hope of getting a genre release in any of the big awards categories this year is probably Denis Villeneuve's Dune, and even that's seen as something of a long-shot by industry analysts.

This year's nominations are expected to be announced on February 8, 2022. Do you think Shang-Chi should be among them? Drop us a comment down below.

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GhostDog
GhostDog - 12/11/2021, 11:13 AM
@Spock0Clock - Ah I replied but it's somewhere else

What I said esd it's fine. I had other comments that were deleted, so I shortened down sorry. I think they appeared in other places too.

Site is a mess right now. Seems to actually be getting worse.
PhantomCelery
PhantomCelery - 12/11/2021, 11:14 AM
While the Academy has a certain bias, its not as a whole toward the fantasy or superhero genre. In addition to the ones mentioned, Suicide Squad and Logan got noms. The Russo films got noms too. Th bigger issue is that Marvel Studios diluted their own brand by mixing gems with mediocre CGI ridden blockbusters like Black Widow or Ant Man and the Wasp 2.
SpaceAgent
SpaceAgent - 12/11/2021, 11:14 AM
Who cares about awards...
as long as the movies are good.


PhoenixBlade
PhoenixBlade - 12/11/2021, 11:17 AM
There is a genre bias, a lot of snobbery. But even if you remove the snobbery, these films haven’t had enough quality to be Oscar nominated. Not even Logan and The Dark Knight are worthy of that. There’s a distinction between what makes a great film and what makes an entertaining film. MCU films are more entertaining than most films that get nominated, but they’re not better made. You also have to remember that the Oscar’s is based on which studios can afford to bank roll awards campaigns. Can’t afford it, you don’t get nominated. It’s unfair. Not to disrespect anyone who gets nominated or wins, it’s still a great thing to be recognised by your peers. But the importance of awards in the film industry are greatly exaggerated. Most peoples favourite films aren’t the ones that get all the awards. And that’s simply because of that difference between entertainment and quality.
defenderofthefaith
defenderofthefaith - 12/11/2021, 11:20 AM
That's ok. The Marvel movies are stacked with Oscar winners.
abd00bie
abd00bie - 12/11/2021, 12:13 PM
@defenderofthefaith - Gwyneth Paltrow won over Cate Blanchett and Meryl Streep in 1999, you think Oscars mean anything? I think the F not
ARMUS
ARMUS - 12/11/2021, 11:24 AM
There is a bias toward rewarding great films with oscars, that bias in favour of great complex and emotionally riveting films needs to change so Marvel films can get some Oscars. :/ Feige is a fantastic producer in regards to making money, he makes very popular popcorn flicks but he just doesn't make Oscar calibre films, so far anyway, if he wants to change that he needs to change how he makes films and stop blaming bias. Joker the character alone has two Oscars, if the Academy feel a film is deserving it'll be nominated. Marvel films make tons of cash so let the dramas, indi's, epics and bio-pics win the Oscars.
NightBoyWonder
NightBoyWonder - 12/11/2021, 11:24 AM
The Oscars such a mess already, and have become more and more irrelevant as the years pass by. And honestly good. It’s become such a corporate mess rather than feeling like a celebration of achievements in film.

BUT

On the flip side the importance that the Oscar represents for films that traditionally go against the traditional winners, like Moonlight, and the exposure and opportunities it presents for newcomers is an experience that you can’t rival. It’s just a shame it can never be consistent.

Back to the topic at hand. The problem is not comic book movies at all, we’ve moved past that discussion. Joker, Logan and even Black Panther got some great and deserving awards love (idk about Black Panther’s Best Picture nom since it was a pity nomination). And let’s not minimize Logan being nominated for Best Adapted Screenplay, which to me speaks bigger volumes to comic books as a medium being translated to film.
NightBoyWonder
NightBoyWonder - 12/11/2021, 11:34 AM
@BlackStarLord - and as someone mentioned, the MCU diluted its brand with soooooo many movies and it’s connectivity with each film that adheres to a formula, a formula in which is more satisfied in promoting theater reactions and memes.

They might be in too deep at this point to do it, but there needs to be Marvel standalones not connected to the MCU if they really want to shake the table. Like what DC did with Joker and their rumored “Black Label” I believe it’s called. Marvel has the characters and stories that would make for compelling, amazing and beautiful character dramas. Hell, Spider-Man 2 to me is a huge qualifier for a Best Adapted Screenplay.

These are characters with rich history, story and narratives that, at their best, rival that of the best Oscar winners in history. Tap into that if you want a damn Oscar recognition so bad because it’s there.
GhostDog
GhostDog - 12/11/2021, 11:44 AM
@BlackStarLord - at some point they’re gonna have to reboot this thing. I enjoy the MCU for what it is, but stand-alone stories focused on character[s] is the future when that day comes. They can’t keep doing this forever. The tv shows are an unintentional step toward that. But I agree that the uber connectivity dilutes; and the sheer number of films can overwhelm. It’s just different from the comics due to the medium.

Like you said, marvel has some compelling stuff to pull from. The heroes there have always been more “human” and dealt with things that are more entrenched in the day-to-day human experience.
regularmovieguy
regularmovieguy - 12/11/2021, 11:25 AM
AmazingFILMporg
AmazingFILMporg - 12/11/2021, 11:26 AM
The Oscars dont mean as much as they use to and that goes to for grammys too.



💁
abd00bie
abd00bie - 12/11/2021, 12:14 PM
@AmazingFILMporg - Gwyneth Paltrow 1999 lol
GhostDog
GhostDog - 12/11/2021, 11:31 AM
The problem is that he seems to care that they aren’t getting the recognition. The whole thing is an exercise in propagating to elitism
AmazingFILMporg
AmazingFILMporg - 12/11/2021, 11:37 AM
@BlackBeltJones -


When you have the fans, critics and boxoffice the only thing left is awards👦
Spock0Clock
Spock0Clock - 12/11/2021, 12:42 PM
@BlackBeltJones - While I adored so much of Eternals, it's hard to deny it was Feige aiming a movie right at the Oscar committee (in his clumsy and sort of endearing way). It's Kevin Feige's idea of "Oscar-winning Marvel movie" and basically no one else is having it.
Spock0Clock
Spock0Clock - 12/11/2021, 1:14 PM
I just realized what Eternals reminds me of. It's when Boimler tried to dress cool.



Eternals was Kevin Feige's best attempt to show all the "cool Oscar kids" that he's cool like them, while still being stuck on what makes him uncool in the first place. (The jokes on him, though, because I think uncool is cool.)
Oberlin4Prez
Oberlin4Prez - 12/11/2021, 11:38 AM
There’s definitely more of a genre bias in recent years for sure. I don’t know that it’s relegated to just Marvel.
AmazingFILMporg
AmazingFILMporg - 12/11/2021, 11:43 AM
Oscars for sure have a genre bias.


There are so many cbm's, sci fi films, horror films and so on and so on that deserve awards. The performances alone deserve a nomination🙋
PartyBoy
PartyBoy - 12/11/2021, 11:43 AM
Jack Kirby is the one who deserves an Oscar.

But winning one would have never even crossed his mind.

Gotta love that old school humility.
regularmovieguy
regularmovieguy - 12/11/2021, 11:57 AM
@PartyBoy

“Jack Kirby is the one who deserves an Oscar.”

regularmovieguy
regularmovieguy - 12/11/2021, 12:24 PM
@PartyBoy

I’m not saying he didn’t do any of that and maybe he does deserve recognition; but the Oscars? Lol, no.
PartyBoy
PartyBoy - 12/11/2021, 1:03 PM
@regularmovieguy - Without Kirby, Hollywood never has MCU or Star Wars. Or even a Best Picture winner like “Argo”.

Great article for you to read:

https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/general-news/jack-kirby-100th-birthday-celebrating-his-pop-culture-influence-1033442/

ALSO: both Kirby and Ditko should win a “Keeping Our Business Afloat Through A Pandemic” Oscar.
regularmovieguy
regularmovieguy - 12/11/2021, 1:20 PM
@PartyBoy

Not sure why you copied and pasted what you said the first time. Lol.

But Jack Kirby has never been involved with a Marvel production. That’s like giving Ed Gein an Oscar for The Texas Chainsaw Massacre franchise. Lol.
PartyBoy
PartyBoy - 12/11/2021, 1:38 PM
@regularmovieguy - Without Kirby, Disney’s cash cow with the potential of winning an Oscar would not exist. Period. So, in the Eyes of the Universe, Kirby arguably deserves an Oscar first and foremost. And give Ditko one while you are at it.

I am talking about the galactic truth of the matter.

Just to be clear.
GwenLantern
GwenLantern - 12/11/2021, 1:45 PM
@PartyBoy - He did make a cameo in an Oscar winning picture. He was in Argo played by the late, great Michael Parks.
PartyBoy
PartyBoy - 12/11/2021, 1:49 PM
@GwenLantern - I love Argo. And I love it even more having read your post. Thanks!
Gmoney84
Gmoney84 - 12/11/2021, 11:45 AM
I like Shang Chi. It is not Best Picture worthy. Black Panther wasn’t either IMO.
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