The Oscars has proven once more that it does not vote according to what fans want.
Chadwick Boseman earned his first Oscar nomination posthumously for playing Levee in Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom (which earned five nominations overall). However, the iconic actor lost to Anthony Hopkins for his role in The Father. Though Boseman was the favorite to win and won almost all precursors, given the fact that The Father was nominated for Best Picture and Ma Rainey wasn’t, as well as Hopkins’ BAFTA win, gave room for a spoiler to take place.
Taylor Simone Ledward, Boseman’s widow, was even on hand to accept the award as she had been for the prior virtual ceremonies such as the Golden Globes and the Critics Choice Awards.
Fans took to Twitter to express their grievances with the Oscars. While many agreed Hopkins’ role may have been wonderful, many thought this was an award owed to Boseman.
One fan tweeted, “Anthony Hopkin’s [sic] performance was wonderful, but the Oscar’s [sic] used Chadwick’s legacy & name only to not honor him in their program. He deserved more respect than this.”
Another Twitter user said, “Actually I’m mad because Chadwick Boseman didn’t win! He gave an incredibly brilliant performance & he quite honestly deserved to win!! So happy that I didn’t watch the Oscars this year- for the first time- it would have been too upsetting.”
“If Anthony Hopkins won Best Actor for this movie any other year, that’d still be great because he is amazing in The Father,” said someone else on Twitter. “But if you’re gonna save Best Actor for last as if it’d be a tribute for Chadwick Boseman only for him to not win? Come the f**k ON.”
Regardless, Boseman is nothing short of legendary. He has given the world films that will transcend time such as 42, Get Up, Marshall and many more fantastic films including Black Panther and Da 5 Bloods. Whether the Oscars recognized his brilliance or not this year, the world knows his work and contributions.
Meanwhile, the 83-year-old Hopkins, who did not attend the ceremony due to the UK time difference and to the fact that he thought he wouldn’t win, tribute Boseman in a late acceptance speech he posted on his socials.
“Here I am in my homeland in Wales. At 83 years of age, I did not expect to get this award, I really didn’t,” he said. “I’m very grateful to the Academy – thank you. “I want to pay tribute to Chadwick Boseman, who was taken from us far too early. Again, thank you all very much. I really did not expect this, I feel very privileged and honored, thank you.”
