The Academy Awards unveiled its short list of Oscar nominees yesterday, and the masses aren't happy with the notable exclusions of Barbie star Margot Robbie and director Greta Gerwig from the Best Actress and Best Director categories, respectively.
Robbie's Kenadian co-star Ryan Gosling is just as surprised as the rest of us. He expressed his disappointment at the snubs in a statement shared by CNN last night.
"There is no Ken without Barbie, and there is no Barbie movie without Greta Gerwig and Margot Robbie, the two people most responsible for this history-making, globally celebrated film," he wrote. "No recognition would be possible for anyone on 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."
He also congratulated America Ferrera, who got a nod in the Best Supporting Actress category for her Barbie role. Ferrera also shared a statement acknowledging her co-star and director's snubs.
It's worth noting, of course, that both Robbie and Gerwig received nominations in the Best Picture (as a producer) and Best Adapted Screenplay categories, respectively, despite missing out on acting and directing nominations.
Thus far, Barbie has been overshadowed by its opening weekend competitor Oppenheimer in the awards cycle, but has taken home Golden Globes for Best Original Song and Cinematic and Box Office Achievement thus far.
The topic has been the subject of heated debates on X (formerly Twitter) today amongst the film community, several of whom have argued that, although Gerwig and Robbie both did their jobs well, their peers who landed nominations were more deserving.
this barbie thing is actually like some kind of mass hysteria/psychosis. it was nominated for eight oscars. it shouldn’t have been. many well-deserving women were nominated. you are being insane
— marianne eloise (@marianne_eloise) January 24, 2024
It’d be a better world if you all would support upcoming diverse filmmakers in the same way you fight for Barbie and its 8 Oscar noms.
— Miguel Melo (@MiguelMeloQ) January 24, 2024
i think margot robbie is one of the best actresses working right now and i think barbie was great
but people are really overlooking the history being made this year with lily gladstone being the first native american actress ever nominated for an oscar
watch more movies y’all pic.twitter.com/EJvzQQblyd— morgan 🦖 (@morganisnckdeep) January 24, 2024
Read Gosling's full statement below:
I am extremely honoured to be nominated by my colleagues alongside such remarkable artists in a year of so many great films. And I never thought I’d be saying this, but I’m also incredibly honoured and proud that it’s 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, the two people most responsible for this history-making, globally celebrated film. No recognition would be possible for anyone on 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.
Having said that, I am so happy for America Ferrera and the other incredible artists who contributed their talents to making this such a groundbreaking film.