New Oscars 2019 gong for Outstanding Popular Film introduced by The Academy — so super hero movies now have a chance to win
And from 2020 the awards will air on February 9, almost a full month earlier than the 2019 ceremony’s February 24 date
A NEW Oscar for Outstanding Popular Film will give superhero films a chance to win a gong.
The Academy said it would be one of three changes to the awards.
From next year, the ceremony will be cut from four hours to three, with trophies dished out during ad breaks.
And from 2020, the awards will air on February 9, earlier than next year’s February 24.
The new category comes as the popularity of comic book franchises including Iron Man, The Avengers and Guardians of the Galaxy soars.
But it was unclear whether it would come into effect next year.
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Ratings for this year’s Oscars plummeted 19 per cent to 26.5million. But the new category was slammed online.
Director Mike Flanagan tweeted: “The Oscars are basically creating an attendance award. Ugh.”
Lord of the Rings actor Elijah Wood, 37, wrote: “Best Popular Film? oof.”