There are quite a few examples of movies and TV shows that end up competing for awards categories that people find somewhat controversial. Many people thought The Martian shouldn’t have been up for a Best Comedy or Musical Award at the Golden Globes (to the point that even Ridley Scott made a joke about it). Many people have also voiced their complaints on the show The Bear being considered a comedy at the Emmys when it has tons of intensely dramatic scenes. Very recently, the horror film Obsession has interestingly been permitted to compete in the Best Comedy or Musical Award at the Golden Globes. This bit of news has drawn attention, but it does not stop there for the Hollywood Foreign Press.
According to Variety, Antoine Fuqua’s biopic Michael, which is the box office hit about the King of Pop Michael Jackson, was denied the opportunity to compete in the Best Comedy or Musical category at the Golden Globes. Obviously, the movie’s studio, Lionsgate, was aiming to have the film compete as a musical as the movie wasn’t identifying as a comedy. This decision means that if the film wishes to be considered for a Best Picture award, it would have to compete as a drama, which puts it in competition with films like The Odyssey, La Bola Negra and more.
The supporting actor categories are said to not be affected, so stars like Colman Domingo and Nia Long are not going to be organized by genre. The Golden Globes rules state, “A musical can be a comedy or a drama in which songs are used in addition to spoken dialogue to further the plot.” Lionsgate can file an appeal ahead of the October 31 deadline and if they do, the Golden Globes would have to consider it for review.
Despite the film’s reception, Jaafar Jackson came away with unanimous praise with his portrayal as Michael Jackson. It’s not yet been said if Lionsgate would submit him for an acting category, but he will be starring alongside Will Smith soon. Jackson has found his follow-up project with Supermax, which is an Amazon MGM Studios action film that stars Smith and Annasophia Robb and will be directed by David Gordon Green.
The plot to Supermax has not been officially revealed, but it is said to involve Smith and Robb playing Federal Agents investigating a seemingly impossible murder within an impenetrable prison. Jackson’s role has also not been revealed, but he is said to be playing a central role in the film.