2021 Academy Awards Ceremony Postponed
Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences has officially postponed the 93rd Academy Awards from February 28, 2021, until April 25, 2021. In their press release, Academy President David Rubin and CEO Dawn Hudson said:
Our hope, in extending the eligibility period and our Awards date, is to provide the flexibility filmmakers need to finish and release their films without being penalized for something beyond anyone’s control.
Voting happened this Monday during an online meeting of the Academy’s Board of Governors. Academy similarly extended the eligibility date for the 93rd Oscars by two months – from December 31, 2020, to February 28, 2021. Nomination voting will last from March 5 until March 10, with nominations announced on March 15. Final voting will begin on April 15 and run through April 20. So far, there’s no information about the possible format of the awards ceremony. We don’t know will it take place at its traditional venue – Dolby Theatre – or will it take place online.
Academy’s decision will likely impact other award ceremonies taking place around the same time. Shows like the Golden Globes, the Critics’ Choice Awards, and the Screen Actors Guild Awards will likely alter their schedules to fit with the Academy Awards. This is only the fourth time in the 93 years of the Academy that its awards ceremony was postponed.
Star Wars Celebration Cancelled; Enters DC FanDome
It is official: the 2020 edition of Star Wars Celebration is canceled. The announcement on the official Star Wars website says organizers were concerned about the health and safety of everyone involved, from attendees and guests to staff and exhibitors. While this news will most likely sadden the fans, under the circumstances, it is the only sensible choice. What is interesting is that the next Star War Celebration will take place two years from now – in August 2022. Organizers are playing it safe here.
Meanwhile, DC is planning a virtual convention of its own. Titled DC FanDome, it will be an all-day virtual event taking place on August 22. According to the event’s press release, DC FanDome will feature big announcements regarding comic books, games, movies, and TV shows. Furthermore, it will feature appearances by the casts and creators from numerous DC films and TV shows, including upcoming feature films like The Batman, Black Adam, The Suicide Squad, Wonder Woman 1984, and, now ubiquitous, Zack Synder’s cut of Justice League. The event promises something for everyone, including localized events and content for the audience all over the world.
DC FanDome will be a free event. However, it will only be available for 24 hours.
AT&T Selling Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment?
AT&T is allegedly considering the sale of its game division – Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment, claims CNBC. According to the article, some of the most prominent names in gaming like Activision Blizzard, Electronic Arts, and Take-Two Interactive Software are interested in buying. If the deal goes through, it could fetch AT&T between $2 billion and $4 billion.
Warner Bros. Interactive is one of the giants in the gaming publishing. Among key reasons for its success is its access to the Warner-owned intellectual property like DC Comics, Game of Thrones, Harry Potter, The Lego Movie, and Mortal Kombat. However, if AT&T indeed sells the company to the highest bidder, the buyer most likely won’t be able to continue making these games since the copyrights would remain with AT&T and Warner Bros.
As yet, there has been no official confirmation that the sale is indeed in progress, let alone a deal. Spokesmen at EA and Activision weren’t available while those at AT&T and Take-Two declined to comment.
