The Academy is scrapping plans for a controversial 'popular film' Oscar — at least for 2019

pulse 19:02 - 06 September 2018

The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences announced Thursday that it is pulling the recently-announced "popular film" award from the next Oscars ceremony, and said that it "merits further study."

The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences announced Thursday that it's delaying the debut of a recently announced "popular film" Oscar.
The award will not be included at the 2019 Oscars because it "merits further study."

The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences announced Thursday that the controversial new "popular film" category will not be included at the 2019 Oscars because it "merits further study."

But whatever happens to the category in the future, its scrapping from this year's ceremony means films like "Black Panther" may have a better shot at the Oscars' top prize: best picture. Marvel is making a serious Oscars push for the first time to get the movie nominated, and Disney has even hired a veteran Oscars strategist to lead the campaign.