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Disney to Push WALL•E For Best Picture

Academy Awards Awards News WALL-E

/Film are reporting today that Disney will be pushing WALL•E to be nominated for the Best Picture award at the upcoming Academy Awards starting with a campaign next week. Walt Disney Studios Chairman Dick Cook told the New York Times, “If we didn’t do it, I don’t think we’d be giving the movie its due.”

The last animated film to be nominated for Best Picture was Beauty and the Beast back in 1991, before the Academy started the Best Animated Picture award in 2001. Some have speculated that Disney pushing for WALL•E (or any other animated movie) to be nominated in both Best Picture and Best Animated Picture would divide the Academy resulting in a loss in both categories as some voters may only vote for the film in one category.
While I agree with Dick Cook that they wouldn’t be giving the film its due if they didn’t push for a nomination in Best Picture, is it really worth the risk of not winning in either category to make such a bold move? Or will it work in their favor? Only time will tell, but let us know what you think? Should Disney really push for WALL•E in both categories or just stick to Best Animated Picture? Leave a comment below.

Last modified: October 28, 2008