For decades, the Academy Awards have been one of the most prestigious and widely recognised prizes in the world of cinema. Yet, since its inception, the Academy has shown a clear bias against films belonging to the science fiction and fantasy genres.&nbsp;While these genres have received more recognition in recent years, particularly in technical categories, the Best Picture award has remained elusive for most of its history.
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<h2>A History of Snubs</h2>
The sci-fi and fantasy genres are often treated as second-class citizens by the Academy and its members, struggling to achieve the same level of recognition given to period dramas and biopics, no matter how groundbreaking they may be.
Although The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King won the Best Picture award &ndash; making it the only fantasy film to do so &ndash; this remains a rare anomaly. Groundbreaking films such as E.T., Star Wars, A Clockwork Orange, The Seventh Seal, Arrival, and Mad Max: Fury Road, despite earning nominations, fell short of the top prize.
<h2>Real-World Issues</h2>
The Academy has historically favoured films that deal with real-world issues and are grounded in realism, often dismissing sci-fi and fantasy films as mere escapism. However, these genres frequently tackle profound themes, explore real-world issues, and portray genuine human emotions.
Films like Children of Men, Gattaca, and the recent adaptation of Dune are not only visually stunning but also examine the human condition, addressing themes such as class warfare, the rise of authoritarianism, and religious dogma. Despite this, such films are typically relegated to technical categories &ndash; areas in which they excel &ndash; but are rarely recognised for the broader themes they explore.
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<h2>A Shift in Attitude</h2>
In recent years, there has been a slight shift in attitude, with films like The Shape of Water and Everything Everywhere All at Once challenging and overcoming the Academy&rsquo;s biases.
However, for every recognition, countless visionary films remain overlooked, such as The Matrix, Blade Runner, Terminator 2, The Green Knight, and Big Fish. These omissions highlight the Academy's ongoing resistance to embracing these genres, despite changing audience tastes and critical acclaim.
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<h2>The Way Forward</h2>
The divide between the Academy&rsquo;s preferences and audience expectations has become increasingly apparent, with sci-fi and fantasy fans often left disappointed. The Academy must learn to embrace these genres and rethink its definition of what makes a film &ldquo;great.&rdquo;
Until that time, it's upto fans to champion these films and continue supporting the creative filmmakers who push the boundaries of storytelling and cinema.
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Entertainment | Hollywood Despite occasional recognition, the perception of bias against sci-fi and fantasy persists, although there have been signs of a more inclusive approach recently.

For decades, the Academy Awards have been one of the most prestigious and widely recognised prizes in the world of cinema. Yet, since its inception, the Academy has shown a clear bias against films belonging to the science fiction and fantasy genres. While these genres have received more recognition in recent years, particularly in technical categories, the Best Picture award has remained elusive for most of its history. Also Read: Pamela Anderson reveals she posed for Playboy to get over her shyness A History of Snubs The sci-fi and fantasy genres are often treated as second-class citizens by the Academy and its members, struggling to achieve the same level of recognition given to period dramas and biopics, no matter how groundbreaking they may be. Although The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King won the Best Picture award – making it the only fantasy film to do so – this remains a rare anomaly. Groundbreaking films such as E.T., Star Wars, A Clockwork Orange, The Seventh Seal, Arrival, and Mad Max: Fury Road, despite earning nominations, fell short of the top prize. Real-World Issues The Academy has historically favoured films that deal with real-world issues and are grounded in realism, often dismissing sci-fi and fantasy films as mere escapism. However, these genres frequently tackle profound themes, explore real-world issues, and portray genuine human emotions. Films like Children of Men, Gattaca, and the recent adaptation of Dune are not only visually stunning but also examine the human condition, addressing themes such as class warfare, the rise of authoritarianism, and religious dogma. Despite this, such films are typically relegated to technical categories – areas in which they excel – but are rarely recognised for the broader themes they explore. Also Read: 'No One Will Save You' star Kaitlyn Dever joins the cast of the upcoming Godzilla X Kong sequel. A Shift in Attitude In recent years, there has been a slight shift in attitude, with films like The Shape of Water and Everything Everywhere All at Once challenging and overcoming the Academy’s biases. However, for every recognition, countless visionary films remain overlooked, such as The Matrix, Blade Runner, Terminator 2, The Green Knight, and Big Fish. These omissions highlight the Academy's ongoing resistance to embracing these genres, despite changing audience tastes and critical acclaim. Also Read: Conan O'Brien navigates personal losses ahead of Oscars: "'It has been a lot happening in a very short time' The Way Forward The divide between the Academy’s preferences and audience expectations has become increasingly apparent, with sci-fi and fantasy fans often left disappointed. The Academy must learn to embrace these genres and rethink its definition of what makes a film “great.” Until that time, it's upto fans to champion these films and continue supporting the creative filmmakers who push the boundaries of storytelling and cinema. Also Read: Your Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man: First reactions roll In for MCU's animated Spider-Man show

The Oscars Blindspot: How the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences snubs the Fantasy and Sci-fi genre

Furiosa, the latest frenetically paced Mad Max&nbsp;action movie, zoomed into pole position among this year's blockbusters with a raucous world premiere at the Cannes Film Festival on Wednesday.

The fifth instalment of the wildly popular post-apocalyptic saga received a special screening outside of the main Palme d'Or competition at the world's most famous movie festival.

"Thanks so much for having us," said a visibly moved director, George Miller, as his film drew a lengthy standing ovation inside the packed Palais des Festivals.

Furiosa is the name of the heroine first played by Charlize Theron in the franchise's previous entry, 2015's Oscar-winning Mad Max: Fury Road.

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In this prequel, she is now portrayed by Anya Taylor-Joy, of hit Netflix series The Queen's Gambit. She is opposite Thor&nbsp;star Chris Hemsworth in a villainous role.

As with all the Mad Max&nbsp;films, road battles and visceral stunts play a vital role, with a plethora of retro-futuristic vehicles meting out death and destruction at high speed in the desert.

The movie -- released globally next week -- was inspired by the question "How can we tell a story on the run?" explained Miller.

Stunts are "pure cinema for me," he told journalists before the world premiere.&nbsp;

"I like to say that you should hear films with your eyes, and you should see them with your ears," he said.

"When you're seeing the rhythm of choreographed action, you feel a beat to it."

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The warrior's younger years are revealed in Furiosa.

She is kidnapped as a child, and forced to plot her escape from the harem of a neo-Medieval despot.

Alyla Browne (Three Thousand Years of Longing) portrays a child version of the heroine, before Taylor-Joy takes over as a fearsome young adult warrior who is as adept behind the wheel as she is deadly with a rifle.

Hemsworth dons heavy prosthetics for his role as a barbarian clan leader, in a film that is part revenge movie, part dystopian sci-fi, complete with themes of ecological collapse -- and feminism.

- 'Feminist' -

The premiere at the glitzy festival on France's Côte d'Azur takes place as the country is in the midst of a belated #MeToo reckoning, including accusations against its biggest star, Gerard Depardieu.

Miller explained that Furiosa, like Fury Road&nbsp;before, ended up becoming "almost a feminist piece" by chance.

A story featuring a male hero freeing enslaved wives from a harem would have been "a different story than a female warrior", he said.

"It wasn't, 'oh, 'let's make a feminist action film,' it was always driven by story."

Yet Miller has a track record in writing increasingly formidable female characters.

In the first Mad Max&nbsp;film, Joanne Samuel's role -- the wife of Mel Gibson's hero -- was mainly that of the victim.

By Mad Max Beyond Thunderdome, the third film, from 1985, Tina Turner played a ruthless clan leader governing a town.&nbsp;

- 'Handbrake turn' -

That mantle of fearsome female road warrior falls now to Taylor-Joy -- now 28, who has admitted that, in real life, she still does not have a drivers' licence.

Nonetheless, she was encouraged by Miller to do as many of her own stunts as possible.

She trained for a year before production began on the set, where she was joined by a stunt double.&nbsp;

"I know how to do a handbrake turn, but I don't know how to... drive on the highway," she joked, in the film's production notes.

"I've never been very comfortable on a bike, so finding myself on a motorcycle overnight was a real leap into the unknown."

Furiosa, the latest frenetically paced Mad Max action movie, zoomed into pole position among this year's blockbusters with a raucous world premiere at the Cannes Film Festival on Wednesday.

Furiosa, the latest frenetically paced Mad Max action movie, zoomed into pole position among this year's blockbusters with a raucous world premiere at the Cannes Film Festival on Wednesday. The fifth instalment of the wildly popular post-apocalyptic saga received a special screening outside of the main Palme d'Or competition at the world's most famous movie festival. "Thanks so much for having us," said a visibly moved director, George Miller, as his film drew a lengthy standing ovation inside the packed Palais des Festivals. Furiosa is the name of the heroine first played by Charlize Theron in the franchise's previous entry, 2015's Oscar-winning Mad Max: Fury Road. The Strangers: Chapter 1 starring Madelaine Petsch, Froy Gutierrez sets India release date In this prequel, she is now portrayed by Anya Taylor-Joy, of hit Netflix series The Queen's Gambit. She is opposite Thor star Chris Hemsworth in a villainous role. As with all the Mad Max films, road battles and visceral stunts play a vital role, with a plethora of retro-futuristic vehicles meting out death and destruction at high speed in the desert. The movie -- released globally next week -- was inspired by the question "How can we tell a story on the run?" explained Miller. Stunts are "pure cinema for me," he told journalists before the world premiere. "I like to say that you should hear films with your eyes, and you should see them with your ears," he said. "When you're seeing the rhythm of choreographed action, you feel a beat to it." Indians At Cannes 2024: Indian content creators to make India proud this year The warrior's younger years are revealed in Furiosa. She is kidnapped as a child, and forced to plot her escape from the harem of a neo-Medieval despot. Alyla Browne (Three Thousand Years of Longing) portrays a child version of the heroine, before Taylor-Joy takes over as a fearsome young adult warrior who is as adept behind the wheel as she is deadly with a rifle. Hemsworth dons heavy prosthetics for his role as a barbarian clan leader, in a film that is part revenge movie, part dystopian sci-fi, complete with themes of ecological collapse -- and feminism. - 'Feminist' - The premiere at the glitzy festival on France's Côte d'Azur takes place as the country is in the midst of a belated #MeToo reckoning, including accusations against its biggest star, Gerard Depardieu. Miller explained that Furiosa, like Fury Road before, ended up becoming "almost a feminist piece" by chance. A story featuring a male hero freeing enslaved wives from a harem would have been "a different story than a female warrior", he said. "It wasn't, 'oh, 'let's make a feminist action film,' it was always driven by story." Yet Miller has a track record in writing increasingly formidable female characters. In the first Mad Max film, Joanne Samuel's role -- the wife of Mel Gibson's hero -- was mainly that of the victim. By Mad Max Beyond Thunderdome, the third film, from 1985, Tina Turner played a ruthless clan leader governing a town. - 'Handbrake turn' - That mantle of fearsome female road warrior falls now to Taylor-Joy -- now 28, who has admitted that, in real life, she still does not have a drivers' licence. Nonetheless, she was encouraged by Miller to do as many of her own stunts as possible. She trained for a year before production began on the set, where she was joined by a stunt double. "I know how to do a handbrake turn, but I don't know how to... drive on the highway," she joked, in the film's production notes. "I've never been very comfortable on a bike, so finding myself on a motorcycle overnight was a real leap into the unknown."

Mad Max tears through Cannes with frenetic Furiosa

The official synopsis of the upcoming 'Mad Max' spinoff movie 'Furiosa' is here. Directed by George Miller and co-written by Miller and Nico Lathouris, it is the origin story of Charlize Theron's character Imperator Furiosa in 2015's 'Mad Max: Fury Road'. In 'Furiosa', Anya Taylor-Joy will play a younger version of the role.

The synopsis reads, "As the world fell, young Furiosa is snatched from the Green Place of Many Mothers and falls into the hands of a great Biker Horde led by the Warlord Dementus. Sweeping through the Wasteland they come across the Citadel presided over by The Immortan Joe. While the two Tyrants war for dominance, Furiosa must survive many trials as she puts together the means to find her way home."

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The film also stars Chris Hemsworth, Tom Burke, Nathan Jones, and Angus Sampson in significant roles. Judging by the synopsis, we expect an action epic on a scale that only Miller can pull off. 'Fury Road' is widely regarded as the best action movie of all time, and deservedly so. It featured the most insane visuals and nearly all of it was practical with the most madcap stunt work ever put on screen.&nbsp;

'Fury Road' was a box office success and also received universal critical acclaim with a 97 per cent score on Rotten Tomatoes.&nbsp;

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It was the third sequel in the franchise that began with 1979's 'Mad Max, which starred Mel Gibson in the titular role of Max Rockatansky. It was followed by 1981's 'Mad Max 2' and 1985's 'Mad Max Beyond Thunderdome'. In 'Fury Road', Tom Hardy took over Gibson in the role and the film was both a sequel and a reboot.

A fifth movie, tentatively titled Mad Max: The Wasteland, is also in development.&nbsp;

'Furiosa' releases on May 24, 2024.

The official synopsis of the upcoming 'Mad Max' spinoff movie 'Furiosa' is here. Directed by George Miller and co-written by Miller and Nico Lathouris, it is the origin story of Charlize Theron's character Imperator Furiosa in 2015's 'Mad Max: Fury Road'.

The official synopsis of the upcoming 'Mad Max' spinoff movie 'Furiosa' is here. Directed by George Miller and co-written by Miller and Nico Lathouris, it is the origin story of Charlize Theron's character Imperator Furiosa in 2015's 'Mad Max: Fury Road'. In 'Furiosa', Anya Taylor-Joy will play a younger version of the role. The synopsis reads, "As the world fell, young Furiosa is snatched from the Green Place of Many Mothers and falls into the hands of a great Biker Horde led by the Warlord Dementus. Sweeping through the Wasteland they come across the Citadel presided over by The Immortan Joe. While the two Tyrants war for dominance, Furiosa must survive many trials as she puts together the means to find her way home." Also Read: What We Do in the Shadows Season 4 trailer promises more vampire shenanigans in TV's best comedy The film also stars Chris Hemsworth, Tom Burke, Nathan Jones, and Angus Sampson in significant roles. Judging by the synopsis, we expect an action epic on a scale that only Miller can pull off. 'Fury Road' is widely regarded as the best action movie of all time, and deservedly so. It featured the most insane visuals and nearly all of it was practical with the most madcap stunt work ever put on screen. 'Fury Road' was a box office success and also received universal critical acclaim with a 97 per cent score on Rotten Tomatoes. Also Read: 'Indiana Jones 5' may be Harrison Ford's last film. Here's why It was the third sequel in the franchise that began with 1979's 'Mad Max, which starred Mel Gibson in the titular role of Max Rockatansky. It was followed by 1981's 'Mad Max 2' and 1985's 'Mad Max Beyond Thunderdome'. In 'Fury Road', Tom Hardy took over Gibson in the role and the film was both a sequel and a reboot. A fifth movie, tentatively titled Mad Max: The Wasteland, is also in development. 'Furiosa' releases on May 24, 2024.

'Mad Max' spinoff 'Furiosa' synopsis out, teases an action epic like no other

Looks like 'Mad Max' fans will have to wait a little longer for the long-awaited prequel, 'Furiosa'. 
 
George Miller’s prequel to 'Mad Max: Fury Road' won’t hit screens until 2024. Warner Bros. on Friday announced that the ambitious project, which was originally scheduled to open on June 23, 2023, will instead hit screens on Memorial Day (May 24) of 2024.&nbsp;

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Written and directed by George Miller, the movie stars 'The Queen’s Gambit's <a href="http://13.235.153.162/entertainment/hollywood/news-anya-taylor-joy-travels-back-in-time-in-thriller-last-night-in-soho-410802">&nbsp;Anya Taylor-Joy</a>, who is set to play the title role of&nbsp;Furiosa that&nbsp;Charlize Theron had originally played&nbsp;in 'Fury Road.' 
 
Anya will play a younger version of the titular&nbsp;character alongside Chris Hemsworth and Yahya Abdul-Mateen II, more details about their roles are undisclosed. 
 
Not much else is known about the film, but the movie's director teased in April of this year that Furiosa's structure will be very different from the structure of 'Mad Max: Fury Road' and the film would be "a saga" told "over many years."

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"I didn't set out to make a big, epic movie. It's a story I wanted to tell, but as it turns out, it's just got a lot of different scenes," Miller said at the time. "The one thing I can say about it, Fury Road... within the film, happened over three days and two nights. This is a saga, happens over many years. So, there's a lot of different elements to it," added the maker, as&nbsp;per EW. 
 
The film performed moderately at the box office when it had opened back in 2015, but was adored by critics and scored several Oscar nominations.&nbsp;

 
In addition, 'Salem’s Lot,' the studio’s upcoming adaptation of Stephen King’s best-selling novel about vampires, will open on Sept. 9, 2022. The movie is directed by Gary Dauberman.

Looks like 'Mad Max' fans will have to wait a little longer for the long-awaited prequel, 'Furiosa'. George Miller’s prequel to 'Mad Max: Fury Road' won’t hit screens until 2024.

Looks like 'Mad Max' fans will have to wait a little longer for the long-awaited prequel, 'Furiosa'. George Miller’s prequel to 'Mad Max: Fury Road' won’t hit screens until 2024. Warner Bros. on Friday announced that the ambitious project, which was originally scheduled to open on June 23, 2023, will instead hit screens on Memorial Day (May 24) of 2024. 9/11 attacks: 17 new documentaries to watch to commemorate the 20th anniversary Written and directed by George Miller, the movie stars 'The Queen’s Gambit's Anya Taylor-Joy, who is set to play the title role of Furiosa that Charlize Theron had originally played in 'Fury Road.' Anya will play a younger version of the titular character alongside Chris Hemsworth and Yahya Abdul-Mateen II, more details about their roles are undisclosed. Not much else is known about the film, but the movie's director teased in April of this year that Furiosa's structure will be very different from the structure of 'Mad Max: Fury Road' and the film would be "a saga" told "over many years." Jennifer Lopez, Ben Affleck mark first red carpet appearance as a couple "I didn't set out to make a big, epic movie. It's a story I wanted to tell, but as it turns out, it's just got a lot of different scenes," Miller said at the time. "The one thing I can say about it, Fury Road... within the film, happened over three days and two nights. This is a saga, happens over many years. So, there's a lot of different elements to it," added the maker, as per EW. The film performed moderately at the box office when it had opened back in 2015, but was adored by critics and scored several Oscar nominations. In addition, 'Salem’s Lot,' the studio’s upcoming adaptation of Stephen King’s best-selling novel about vampires, will open on Sept. 9, 2022. The movie is directed by Gary Dauberman.

'Mad Max: Fury Road' prequel 'Furiosa' delayed to 2024

Veteran actor Hugh Keays-Byrne, who played villain Immortal&nbsp;Joe in George Miller's cult hit 'Mad Max: Fury Road', has died. He was 73. 
 
A representative for the actor told Deadline that the actor died peacefully on Tuesday morning. 
 
Filmmaker Brian Trenchard-Smith, who worked with Keays-Byrne for 1975 film 'The Man from Hong Kong', was the first to break the news of the actor's demise in a Facebook post on Wednesday. 
 
"Hugh had a generous heart, offering a helping hand to people in need, or a place to stay to a homeless teenager. He cared about social justice and preserving the environment long before these issues became fashionable. 
 
"His life was governed by his sense of the oneness of humanity. We will miss his example and his friendship. Vale, Hugh," Trenchard-Smith wrote. 
 
Born in 1947 in Srinagar, Jammu and Kashmir to British parents, the actor was very young when his family moved to Britain. 
 
Keays-Byrne later moved to Australia where he featured in many Royal Shakespeare Company productions, including 'As You Like It', 'The Balcony', 'Hamlet', 'King Lear', 'The Man of Mode' and 'Much Ado About Nothing'. 
 
He started his acting career when he was cast in TV series 'Bellbird', created by Barbara Vernon. 
 
The actor appeared in a number of series and films, including as Morrie Grosse in Trenchard-Smith's 1975 action flick 'The Dragon Flies'. 
 
Keays-Byrne's big moment came when he was roped in to play Toecutter in Miller's 1979 movie 'Mad Max', which featured Mel Gibson in the lead. 
 
More than thirty years later, Miller requested Keays-Byrne return for his another plunge in to the world of 'Mad Max'&nbsp;with 2015's 'Fury Road', starring Tom Hardy and Charlize Theron. 
 
In the movie, Keays-Byrne played the villainous Immortan Joe, the head of a cult reigning the Wasteland. Throughout the film, Joe and his biker gang terrorised Theron's Furiosa and Hardy's Max Rockatansky as they seek to liberate the world. 
 
Taking to Twitter, Theron posted a heartfelt tribute for the actor, calling him a "kind, beautiful soul". 
 
'RIP Hugh Keays-Byrne. It's amazing you were able to play an evil warlord so well cause you were such a kind, beautiful soul. You will be deeply missed my friend," Theron wrote alongside a picture from the sets of 'Fury Road'.&nbsp;

Veteran actor Hugh Keays-Byrne, who played villain Immortal Joe in George Miller's cult hit 'Mad Max: Fury Road', has died. He was 73. A representative for the actor told Deadline that the actor died peacefully on Tuesday morning.

Veteran actor Hugh Keays-Byrne, who played villain Immortal Joe in George Miller's cult hit 'Mad Max: Fury Road', has died. He was 73. A representative for the actor told Deadline that the actor died peacefully on Tuesday morning. Filmmaker Brian Trenchard-Smith, who worked with Keays-Byrne for 1975 film 'The Man from Hong Kong', was the first to break the news of the actor's demise in a Facebook post on Wednesday. "Hugh had a generous heart, offering a helping hand to people in need, or a place to stay to a homeless teenager. He cared about social justice and preserving the environment long before these issues became fashionable. "His life was governed by his sense of the oneness of humanity. We will miss his example and his friendship. Vale, Hugh," Trenchard-Smith wrote. Born in 1947 in Srinagar, Jammu and Kashmir to British parents, the actor was very young when his family moved to Britain. Keays-Byrne later moved to Australia where he featured in many Royal Shakespeare Company productions, including 'As You Like It', 'The Balcony', 'Hamlet', 'King Lear', 'The Man of Mode' and 'Much Ado About Nothing'. He started his acting career when he was cast in TV series 'Bellbird', created by Barbara Vernon. The actor appeared in a number of series and films, including as Morrie Grosse in Trenchard-Smith's 1975 action flick 'The Dragon Flies'. Keays-Byrne's big moment came when he was roped in to play Toecutter in Miller's 1979 movie 'Mad Max', which featured Mel Gibson in the lead. More than thirty years later, Miller requested Keays-Byrne return for his another plunge in to the world of 'Mad Max' with 2015's 'Fury Road', starring Tom Hardy and Charlize Theron. In the movie, Keays-Byrne played the villainous Immortan Joe, the head of a cult reigning the Wasteland. Throughout the film, Joe and his biker gang terrorised Theron's Furiosa and Hardy's Max Rockatansky as they seek to liberate the world. Taking to Twitter, Theron posted a heartfelt tribute for the actor, calling him a "kind, beautiful soul". 'RIP Hugh Keays-Byrne. It's amazing you were able to play an evil warlord so well cause you were such a kind, beautiful soul. You will be deeply missed my friend," Theron wrote alongside a picture from the sets of 'Fury Road'.

Hugh Keays-Byrne, star of George Miller's 'Mad Max' films, dies