Key Takeaways:
– Celebrated movie director, Ridley Scott, famed for films like “Alien” and “Blade Runner”, has yet to bag an Oscar for his directing efforts despite a career spanning over 50 years
– Among his impressive film portfolio, “Gladiator”, which clinched the Best Picture spot in 2001, brought Scott closest to a directing Oscar win.
– The highly anticipated “Gladiator II” could boost Scott’s chances for a long-awaited directing Oscar.
– In line with Scott’s busy schedule, a Bee Gees biopic, “Gladiator III”, the adaptation of “BOMB”, “Big Dogs”, and “Queen & Country” are all works in progress.
Have you ever wondered why Ridley Scott, the genius behind movies like “Alien” and “Blade Runner”, has not yet won a directing Oscar? Despite a career spanning more than 50 years and the creation of a mind-boggling 29 films, Scott has yet to hear his name during those magical words, “And the Oscar goes to…”
Looking at Ridley Scott’s Oscar Journey
It’s worth noting that Scott’s films weren’t exactly met with total acclaim upon their releases. In fact, his two best films, “Alien” and “Blade Runner”, didn’t get him an Oscar nomination. It seems the film world was not quite ready to acknowledge the true power of Scott’s amazing storytelling abilities when these films hit the silver screen.
Scott did get a whiff of Oscar glory in 2001. His film “Gladiator” bagged the coveted Best Picture award, but the director’s statuette eluded him once more. He was edged out by Steven Soderbergh, who scooped the Best Director win for “Traffic”. The question that hangs in the air two decades later — was Soderbergh’s win well-deserved?
Many would argue ‘yes’, pointing to “Traffic” as one of Soderbergh’s strongest films. However, Ridley Scott fans might feel otherwise with the iconic “Gladiator” raising the bar for action and drama, providing an unforgettable movie experience.
Scott’s Oscar nomination tale continued the following year. He lost the Best Director award to Ron Howard for “A Beautiful Mind”. Scott was in the race with his nomination for “Black Hawk Down.” Moreover, in 2015, he was overlooked for “The Martian,” the last film of his that got a nod for Best Picture.
Ridley Scott’s Fight for an Oscar with “Gladiator II”
So, could the 29th film under Scott’s belt, “Gladiator II”, put him back in contention? The shroud of intrigue is thick with Scott’s “Gladiator II” undoubtedly generating global interest. Despite early reactions praising the epic sequel, some inside chatter hints at mixed reviews from critics.
At the seasoned age of 87, Scott doesn’t shy away from voicing his desire for an Oscar win. He candidly expressed in a conversation, “You know, I haven’t gotten an Oscar yet. And, if I ever get one, I’ll say, ‘About feckin’ time!”
Why Scott Deserves an Oscar?
Even though “The Martian” might not be his greatest film, many movie enthusiasts anticipated not just a nomination for Scott, but also a win. With the stalwart director’s relentless work ethic, we can hope he has a few more cinematic masterpieces up his sleeve.
In addition to “Gladiator II”, Scott plans to film a Bee Gees biopic next year and is currently working on “Gladiator III”. His list of upcoming projects includes the adaptation of Kevin McMullin’s short story “BOMB”, the Wall Street thriller “Big Dogs” and the spy thriller “Queen & Country”.
“Gladiator II” is set to hit the theaters on November 22nd. Will this be the film that finally clinches an Oscar for Ridley Scott? We’ll just have to wait and see. What’s undeniable is Scott’s enduring passion for film-making and storytelling. Long may it continue.
