In an unexpected turn of events, "Barbie," has been classified as an adapted screenplay by the Writers Branch executive committee of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, as reported by Variety.
Contrary to initial expectations and a campaign for best original screenplay, the decision means that when official Oscar nomination voting opens on January 11, eligible voting members will only be able to cast votes for the script penned by Gerwig and Noah Baumbach in the adapted screenplay category.
"Barbie" follows the story of the iconic character (played by Margot Robbie), experiencing an identity crisis in Barbie World, prompting her and her partner Ken (played by Ryan Gosling) to embark on a quest to the real world to discover the truth about her existence.
The Writers Guild of America (WGA) had previously designated "Barbie" as an original work, a classification that will stand for the upcoming WGA Awards. However, the Academy's committee has the authority to make independent decisions regarding a film's eligibility in specific categories.
This move has sparked debates on social media, especially considering the original categorization by the WGA. While some films in the past, like "Moonlight" (2016), faced similar transitions from original to adapted screenplay at the Oscars, the reasons for such shifts can vary.
Greta Gerwig, celebrated for becoming the first woman to direct a billion-dollar movie, has been nominated for three Oscars in her career, with notable nods for "Little Women" (2019) in adapted screenplay and "Lady Bird" (2016) for original screenplay and directing. If nominated this year, she would join a select group of women recognized multiple times, following in the footsteps of Jane Campion.
The decision to classify "Barbie" as an adapted screenplay positions it for competition against contenders like "Poor Things" by Tony McNamara, "Killers of the Flower Moon" by Eric Roth and Martin Scorsese, and Christopher Nolan's "Oppenheimer."
With "Barbie" now out of the original screenplay race, the field is open for new frontrunners to emerge, with films like Celine Song's "Past Lives" and Alexander Payne's "The Holdovers" poised for contention.
Greta Gerwig's meta-comedy has already made headlines, tying the Golden Globes' record for the second-most nominated film in the organization's history with nine nods, including best picture (comedy or musical). As the awards season progresses, "Barbie" is expected to make a significant impact, setting the stage for an intriguing journey through the accolade circuit.
