The Oscars are rolling back a controversial decision

And the Oscar won't go to...

Another year, another Oscars controversy. While we may have narrowly dodged another Moonlight and La La Land mix up last year, the upcoming ceremony has been a hotly debated one as they announced plans to introduce a Popular Film category recently. However, after the internet exploded over the decision, it seems like they’re having second thoughts about it.

Dawn Hudson, the President of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, announced, ‘There has been a wide range of reactions to the introduce of a new award, and we recognise the need for further discussion with our members.’

The Academy released a statement on Thursday which revealed that they would delay introducing the award, at least until 2020. It said, ‘The Academy recognised that implementing any new award nine months into the year creates challenges for films that have already been released.’

The new award, formally known as Outstanding Achievement in Popular Film, was revealed last month. While they didn't elaborate much on the category, it seems to be geared towards blockbuster films like the Marvel and DC superhero flicks, as well as other crowd-pleasing favourites like Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again.

While some welcomed the change, many critics believed that it was a way to keep box office hits out of the running for Best Picture even though they may be deserving of the title.

Marvel’s Black Panther in particular became a huge name in the debate, as Twitter users pointed out that it was deserving of a Best Picture nomination. However if the popular award was introduced, some believed that it could potentially be relegated to just that category.

The Oscars later clarified to The Hollywood Reporter that ‘a single film is eligible for an Oscar in both categories — Outstanding Achievement in Popular Film and the Academy Award for Best Picture’.

The Oscars revealed that the delay was down to the fact that the category ‘merits further study’. The popular film category wasn’t the only shake up introduced recently, as they also announced the televised ceremony would be shaved down to three hours with some awards being presented during the commercial break. Given that the recent 90th Oscars was officially the least watched ceremony ever, it sounds like they’re in need of a shake up in some way to keep people watching.

Personally, we’d totally be down for Black Panther to win Best Picture in 2019. Lupita Nyong’o, Chadwick Boseman and the rest of the cast are royalty and their reign must be respected.