Straight Outta Compton could be surprise Oscar best picture candidate
An Academy member said the NWA biopic is 'worthy of some real consideration'
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Compton is just a 30 minutes’ drive from Hollywood, but few movie executives spend much time there.
Now, Straight Out of Compton, the film that chronicles the rise of pioneering Nineties hip-hop group NWA, has been tipped to become one of this year's first Oscar contenders.
A screening of the film to Academy members over the weekend drew over 700 people - an impressive turn out even by Oscar voters’ standards, according to The Hollywood Reporter.
An academy member told the trade publication after the screening that Straight Outta Compton could have the makings of an Oscar contender for best picture.
“It succeeds as a studio picture while transcending what that usually is. It’s a very visceral, poetic, terrific film. It is worthy of some real consideration, particularly I think for acting, director and even best picture.”
They added: “But, but, it’s very early in the season, and there are a zillion pictures coming out.”
The film, which stars O’Shea Jackson Jr as Ice Cube, Corey Hawkins as Dr Dre and Jason Mitchell as Eazy-E, earned an impressive $56m over its debut weekend in the US, scoring the biggest ever opening for a musical biopic.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments