The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences today announced new changes for the Oscars which are to be implemented from 2020 onwards, including a brand new category.
The 92nd Oscars in 2020 will see an earlier air-date of February 9th with plans to introduce a more globally inclusive live stream of the 3-hour award ceremony. This comes after this years ceremony was the lowest rated Academy Awards in history.
However the more exciting news from today was the announcement that the Academy would be introducing an all new category called “Outstanding Achievement in Popular Film”, this will give films from the Marvel Cinematic Universe, Star Wars and the DCEU a chance to walk away with a top prize.
In recent years, some of the highest grossing movies like The Force Awakens and Avengers have only been recognised in the technical categories, however with this new change, Lucasfilm, Marvel Studios and other blockbuster powerhouses might get to add a few golden statues to their trophy cabinets.
Eligibility criteria for the category is due to be released within the next couple of months.
The 91st Academy Awards is due to take place on February 24th 2019.
By Lewis John Yule