Superhero Movies and the Oscars

The Academy does not like comic books.  That almost goes without saying, but I'm not just talking about the Dark Knight getting shunned back in 2008.  Road to Perdition and A History of Violence were two captivating movies overlooked for no reason other than their source material.  But at this point, the Academy is starting to realize it can't fill up the Best Picture category with nothing but movies no one has even seen.  That's why they bumped it up to ten nominations after all.  Now it's unlikely a superhero movie would EVER actually win the award, but a nomination?  We can pull that off.  Let's look at the most likely contenders who can bring comic book movies some much deserved recognition.

2011
This summer we have two potential candidates with Thor and Captain America.  This summer Marvel will release their newest pieces of the Avengers franchise and both have the possibility of earning a nomination IF they achieve big success.  Thor's Shakespearean director and all star cast (including new Oscar winner Natalie Portman) could make it easier to accept, and Captain America being a period piece are both distinguishing factors.  Now, I'm just saying its possible for them to be nominated.  If the movies are just okay they obviously won't stand a chance.  But if they capture the audiences' hearts, the two Avengers might be able to be seen as more than just entertaining popcorn movies.  After the Oscar's pathetic ratings this year, they need more movies people can root for.  Sadly, I can't say the same for Green Lantern.  Even if it is good (which I'm slighly doubting, but that's just me), the Academy generally avoids science fiction like the plague.  Superheroes+Sci-Fi is too much, too soon.  Chances of a nomination for this year's movies are...decent.  But there still is a chance.


2012
With all the high profile adaptations coming in 2012, I would be shocked if at least one movie didn't get nominated.  The most obvious candidate being Batman 3.  If Nolan can do something similar to The Dark Knight, I don't how the Academy could get away with not nominating it.  Unlike Marvel's fun and more balanced approach, Nolan's more intellectual and dark take is much easier for the Academy to accept.  Also on the DC side of things is the Superman reboot, but unless Zack Snyder drastically changes his style from what he did in 300 and Watchmen I don't think the Academy would go for something so incredibly stylized.

And what about Marvel?  The Avengers could score a nomination in the same way Avatar did.  By pulling off something with a great enough scope and technical skill, Whedon could make up for the fact that his project isn't dark enough.  We also have Aronofsky's The Wolverine, which has potential to be a beautifully crafted emotional story.  And if we don't get a nomination by this point, it just isn't going to happen.