Well, just after posting about the Weinstein titles that aren’t eligible for the writers, indieWIRE’s Peter Knegt reports that Nick Hornby’s wonderful work on “An Education” is also ineligible:
Hornby has been a member of WGA for 10 years, a representative for Hornby told indieWIRE today. But after production of “An Education” was completed, a new rule was instituted that Hornby also had to be a member of his local WGA Great Britain, which he was not.
*coughbullshitcough*
In any case, this should make for quite the, uh, unexpected list of nominees.
Comments
19 responses to “‘An Education’ ineligible for WGA as well”
I love how all these groups, guilds, etc. keep making up idiotic rules that end up excluding the best works of the year.
If I were Nick Hornby, I’d leave the WGA, because frankly, “WHAT HAVE YOU DONE FOR ME LATELY?”
oh gosh! this is too much
what’s next?
No need to embed that in coughs, Kris. That is BULL. SHIT. What’s the point of being in the guild?
BULLSHIT indeed
i have a question, this means that they are also ineligible at the AMPAS? or is just me and my glass of ice tea??
That is so ridiculous I actually laughed. Seriously, if it’s that much work to get recognised by a guild you’re a member of, it just isn’t worth your time. Save it and write something else good.
Has Bright Star been ruled adapted by the WGA, too, or might it show up here in their place?
If not, I think we’re looking at Avatar and The Hangover. Ka-ching!
No, just with the guild.
Oh wait, I was talking about original screenplay here. Well, I guess both categories will be f*cked up now.
@Kris: OK, but somehow it hurts their chances of winning the Oscar in terms of Guild support??
@Adam K.
Probably
I’d like to read that aforementioned400-something mammoth to see what all the restrictions are.
This is worrisome.
So many objective means for something so subjective.
I can’t remember very many high profile scripts getting hurt at the Oscars by being ineligible and not nominated for the WGA. I don’t think anyone need to worry about Inglourious Basterds and An Education in that regard.
It could hurt a film like A Single Man which could need the publicity boost from a WGA nomination.. But I guess we’ll see how it goes.
Re: Bright Star–you mean just with the Academy?
WTF is wrong with the guilds? All these retarded rules, and the constant exclusion of foreigners, too. It’s baffling. And of course, they *had* to make this rule just now, too. Gross. Watch Invictus slide in Adapted. Gag me.
Well, I guess this *might* be good news for Where the Wild Things Are fans. I can see Jonze getting some love here (and probably only here). Or, actually, In the Loop maybe? This all depends on whether or not Fantastic Mr. Fox is eligible. I’ll assume it is.
Oh, wait…Crazy Heart…Scripter…hmmm….
Crazy Heart
District 9
Fantastic Mr. Fox
Precious
Up in the Air
Alt.: Invictus, Where the Wild Things Are, In the Loop, Julie & Julia, Nine
As for Original, there probably won’t be too much fuss there:
(500) Days of Summer
Avatar
The Hurt Locker
The Messenger
A Serious Man
Alt.: The Hangover, The White Ribbon, Bright Star, It’s Complicated, Broken Embraces
Can’t wait for later today, when the next 4 are ruled out and the only contenders we’re left with are He’s Just Not That Into You and Old Dogs.
Ack. Since Kris just said in the other post that Fox may not be eligible, then…I guess I would replace it with Loop, perhaps. And if that’s ineligible for being too British, then WTWTA. And if that’s too furry, then fuck, it’s probably Invictus–and at that point, I’d hope it turns out to be J&J instead.
By the time all the films are considered ineligible the WGA will have nothing left to nominate except Amelia, Street Fighter: Legend of Chun-Li, Law Abiding Citizen, and The Collector for real excellence in screenwriting and filmmaking.
Gutted for The Road but it will make for interesting nominations. Some undervauled gems may actually have a chance ‘Hello, Bright Star’.
I have to wonder if District 9 is ineligible for the WGA too.
There have been many foreign-produced films in the past where they weren’t WGA members, and looking at IMDb District 9 doesn’t have the WGA note next to it in the credits either (although it should be said that has proven to not be a 100% certain indicator of WGA eligibility in the past).
Other films without the WGA note on IMDb: Fantastic Mr. Fox, Up, Bright Star, In the Loop, The White Ribbon and Broken Embraces as well as already known to be ineligible Inglourious Basterds, An Education, A Single Man and The Road.
Assuming the WGA lineup will be that neutered, these are my predictions:
ORIGINAL:
– (500) Days of Summer
– Avatar
– The Hurt Locker
– The Messenger
– A Serious Man
ADAPTED:
– Crazy Heart
– Julie & Julia
– Precious
– Up in the Air
– Where the Wild Things Are
Other James D: You KNOW I’d be on board for a “He’s Just Not That Into You” nom.
An Education is a brilliant movie, with a brilliant screenplay and is one of the best movies of 2009. It should be on all nomination lists!