Judd Apatow says it's “insulting” that Barbie was nominated for Best Adapted Screenplay at the Oscars.
The 56-year-old filmmaker criticized the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences' decision on X (formerly Twitter) on Saturday.
He wrote: “It is an insult to the authors to say they were building on existing material.” There was no existing material or story. There was a clear box.'
It is interesting to note that since the Barbie fashion doll has been around since 1959, Apatow believes that there was “no existing material.”
In fact, previous Oscar nominees like “Toy Story 3” and “Borat 2” were ultimately identified as adapted screenplays with similar considerations.
Judd Apatow (pictured in March) says it's “insulting” that Barbie was nominated for Best Adapted Screenplay at the Oscars
It is interesting to note that since the Barbie fashion doll has been around since 1959, Apatow believes that there was “no existing material.”
Barbie was the highest-grossing film of 2023, grossing a whopping $1.4 billion worldwide.
On Wednesday, Variety reported that Margot Robbie's film will compete in the Oscar race for Best Adapted Screenplay, despite having campaigned to end up in the Best Original Screenplay category.
The release notes that the Academy Committee's writing division determines a film's eligibility based on submitted categorizations and is not bound by the Writers Guild of America (WGA) guidelines.
The WGA previously recognized Barbie as an original work and will remain in that category at the upcoming WGA Awards.
Meanwhile, Margot, America Ferrera and director Greta Gerwig consider the possibility of turning it into a musical.
The trio hit the red carpet at the Palm Springs International Film Festival Awards gala on Thursday night.
Since the blockbuster film featured some iconic musical numbers, the trio was asked by Entertainment Tonight if a full-fledged song and dance film was planned.
Robbie, 33, quickly replied: “Trust me, it's not the first time… it's not the first time we've thought about it, yeah.”
The 56-year-old filmmaker criticized the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences' decision on X (formerly Twitter) on Saturday.
Meanwhile, Barbie was the highest-grossing film of 2023, with a whopping $1.4 billion in worldwide box office, and now three of the biggest stars involved in the film are considering the possibility of turning it into a musical
Actresses Margot Robbie (left) and America Ferrera (right) were joined by director Greta Gerwig (center) on the red carpet at the Palm Springs International Film Festival Awards Gala on Thursday evening
“It's so much fun when you can turn anything into a big, crazy musical number.” “Everything is infinitely more fun.”
Greta, 40, who directed the film, agreed with the film's leading lady as she also shared her admiration for musicals.
She said, “A lot.” I am deeply [in] Love [with] Musicals. Plus, America appears in musicals!
“I really love musicals. I mean, nothing would make me happier. So, I would love a musical.'
America, 39, starred in the film alongside Mattel employee Gloria, playing a “real world” character who she said “has an act in him.”
Budgeted at $145 million, Barbie grossed a staggering $1.4 billion at the global box office and earned an 88% critic score on Rotten Tomatoes.