Greta Gerwig and Noah Baumbach’s mega-hit “Barbie” is not only conquering the box office, with a staggering $1.4 billion in earnings, but it is now setting its sights on the prestigious world of the Academy Awards. Warner Bros. has officially announced that the film will be campaigned for the upcoming Oscars, particularly in the category of Best Original Screenplay, among others.
“Barbie” weaves a captivating narrative around the character Barbie, portrayed by the talented Margot Robbie, as she navigates a crisis within the Barbie World. This journey leads her and her partner Ken, played by Ryan Gosling, to venture into the real world in search of answers about her existence.
The campaign strategy for “Barbie” had been under speculation, particularly regarding which screenplay category it would compete in at the Oscars. Official on-screen credits in the film attribute it to “based on ‘Barbie’ by Mattel,” which technically does not qualify as “previously published material,” the category criterion for an eligible submission.
However, the film’s original and inventive storyline has garnered widespread acclaim, placing Gerwig and Baumbach at the forefront of the Best Original Screenplay race, where strong contenders like “The Holdovers” and “Past Lives” are expected to compete.
While the Writers Branch within the Academy typically determines a film’s eligibility based on the submitted categorization, it is not bound by the decisions of the Writers Guild of America (WGA). In past years, films like “Moonlight” and “The Ballad of Buster Scruggs” faced similar category transitions, ultimately leading to their successful nominations and wins.
Greta Gerwig, the first woman to helm a billion-dollar movie, boasts three previous Oscar nominations, including “Little Women” (2019) for adapted screenplay and “Lady Bird” (2016) for both original screenplay and directing.
Her achievements place her among the select group of seven women ever nominated for directing. If she secures a nomination this year, she could join the ranks of Jane Campion as a two-time nominee following Campion’s win for “The Power of the Dog” (2021).
Noah Baumbach, Gerwig’s writing and life partner, has received three Oscar nods in his career, two for Best Original Screenplay with “The Squid and the Whale” (2005) and “Marriage Story” (2018), and a Best Picture nomination for the latter. This year’s Oscars might offer a well-deserved opportunity to honor these two beloved and long-overdue filmmakers.
The official confirmation from the Academy regarding “Barbie’s” designation will come when the nomination ballots open for voting, currently scheduled for January 11.
Furthermore, it has been confirmed that Ryan Gosling, who delivered a scene-stealing performance as Ken, will be officially submitted for consideration in the Best Supporting Actor category.
Gosling, a two-time nominee in the Best Actor category for “Half Nelson” (2006) and “La La Land” (2016), stood out in the comedy alongside other notable performances such as America Ferrera and Margot Robbie, who could potentially become the second woman nominated for both Best Picture and acting in the same year.
The prospects for “Barbie” extend beyond the screenplay category, setting the stage for a potentially remarkable Oscar campaign. The film may compete in multiple categories, including Best Picture, directing, production design, cinematography, costume design, film editing, makeup and hairstyling, sound, visual effects, and original score.
Additionally, “Barbie” has the potential to secure up to two song nominations as per Academy rules. The studio can submit up to three songs, with top contenders being “What Was I Made For?” by Billie Eilish and “I’m Just Ken” by Wyatt and Ronson. Other notable songs include “Pink” by Lizzo, “Dance the Night” by Dua Lipa, and “Barbie World” by Nicki Minaj, Ice Spice, and Aqua.
“Barbie” continues its successful run in theaters, and as the Oscars draw nearer, the film’s campaign promises to be a focal point in the industry, celebrating the creative vision of Gerwig and Baumbach.
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