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'The film business passed away today': Hollywood slams Oscars' 'popular film' addition

A statue of the Oscar is seen during the 90th Annual Academy Awards on March 4, 2018, in Hollywood. (Photo: Robyn Beck/AFP/Getty Images)
A statue of the Oscar is seen during the 90th Annual Academy Awards on March 4, 2018, in Hollywood. (Photo: Robyn Beck/AFP/Getty Images)

The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences announced major changes to future Oscar broadcasts early Wednesday in an attempt to rein in the show’s length (by presenting some unspecified categories during commercial breaks), shorten the months-long awards season (by moving up the ceremony by several weeks, beginning in 2020), and most controversial of all, adding a new category for outstanding achievement in popular film. While the board of governors probably hoped the fresh category would excite viewers and perhaps get those ratings upspoiler alert — Hollywood pretty much hates it. Especially in the year of Black Panther.

The response from many in the industry has been overwhelmingly negative since the announcement early Wednesday, with Rob Lowe even declaring, “The film business passed away today.”

He’s not alone in his disdain for the category. Actors, writers, and journalists were quick to weigh in, slamming and mocking the whole thing.

Plus, there’s the whole “popular films should already be nominated” argument.

The Academy did not provide details on which flicks would qualify for the category (“eligibility requirements and other key details will be forthcoming,” it said in a letter to its members), which sounds problematic already.

Of course, there were a few who were in favor of the new addition, such as Rebel Wilson.

But that’s about it.

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