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Aquaman director James Wan calls Oscars 'a f**king disgrace' for not shortlisting film for VFX award

Wan called the effects team the 'unsung heroes of this film'

Jack Shepherd
Saturday 05 January 2019 17:20 GMT
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The director of Aquaman, James Wan, has criticised the Academy of Motion Arts for not including his DC superhero blockbuster on their shortlist for the best visual effects Oscar.

Responding to a comment from visual effects supervisor Kelvin McIlwain on Facebook, Wan wrote: “Kelvin, you and your department are the unsung heroes of this film.

“The fact that your VFX peers in the Academy aren’t recognising or appreciating what we/you’ve all contributed to the film and cinema is a f**king disgrace.”

The shortlist for the Oscar has already been announced, with the 10 potential nominees including Avengers: Infinity War, Black Panther, Ant-Man and the Wasp, First Man and Ready Player One.

McIlwain replied to Wan’s post: “I’m with you James. It was a complete shock to everyone that we are not in the final 10 films that will be presenting at the Academy VFX Bake-off.”

Aquaman has quickly become one of the most successful DC comics adaptations of all time, recently surpassing Wonder Woman at the global box office.

Meanwhile, the Oscars are having trouble finding a new host, recently opening the door up to Kevin Hart returning despite the previous backlash against him.

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