Actor Ryan Gosling expressed his disappointment over the snubbing of Barbie’s Greta Gerwig and Margot Robbie in major Oscar nomination categories.
Gosling said he was “honored” to be nominated for best-supporting actor for “portraying a plastic doll named Ken”.
“But there is no Ken without Barbie, and there is no Barbie movie without Greta Gerwig and Margot Robbie.”
Many had expected Gerwig and Robbie to be nominated for Best Director and Actress.
But there were nods for the two elsewhere. Robbie was recognized as a producer in the best picture line-up, while Gerwig was nominated alongside her husband Noah Baumbach for best-adapted screenplay.
Barbie was the highest-grossing film in 2023, taking $1.44 billion (£1.14 billion) worldwide.
Media partner Gosling said:
“I am extremely honored to be nominated by my colleagues alongside remarkable artists in a year of so many great films.”
At the same time, the Canadian actor described Gerwig and Robbie as
“the two people most responsible for this history-making, globally celebrated film.”
“No recognition would be possible for anyone in the film without their talent, grit, and genius.”
“To say that I’m disappointed that they are not nominated in their respective categories would be an understatement.”
Against all odds, with nothing but a couple of soulless, scantily clad, and thankfully crotchless dolls, they made us laugh, they broke our hearts, they pushed the culture, and they made history.
Their work should be recognized along with the other very deserving nominees.
However, Gosling added that he was “so happy” for America Ferrera – who received a surprise nomination for best supporting actress – and the others.
“incredible artists who contributed their talents to making this a groundbreaking film.”
Ferrera also said she was “incredibly disappointed” that Gerwig and Robbie were not recognized in the significant nomination categories.
Overall, the Barbie film received eight nominations, including for best picture.
Mixed reaction to Oscar snubs
Many film fans on social media were dismayed by the Academy’s choices, with some suggesting the snubs for Robbie and Gerwig. Still, the inclusion of Gosling was ironic, given the film’s message about feminism and the patriarchy.
But others argued that the nominations were in keeping with the Academy’s choices and that, despite Barbie’s commercial success, films of higher quality were recognized in their place.
Elsewhere, Christopher Nolan’s Oppenheimer – another considerable box office success – leads the field with 13 nominations.
Cillian Murphy, Emily Blunt, and Robert Downey Jr were nominated for acting prizes, and Nolan for best director.
Also Read: And the Nominees Are: Barbie and Oppen Heimer Top Contenders for the 2024 Oscars
Poor Things, about an infant whose brain has been transplanted into a grown woman’s body, was the second-most nominated film, with 11 nominations.
The 96th Academy Awards – or the Oscars – will be held on 10 March in Los Angeles.
The Top Nominees for Oscar Barbie
- 13 nominations – Oppenheimer
- 11 – Poor Things
- 10 – Killers of the Flower Moon
- 8 – Barbie
- 7 – Maestro
- 5 – American Fiction, Anatomy of a Fall, The Holdovers, The Zone of Interest
