The king of Wakanda has made a big mark at the Oscars!
Acquiring seven nominations for the latest Academy Awards, Marvel’s Black Panther has grabbed three Oscars in categories – ‘Best Costume Design’, ‘Best Production Design’ and ‘Best Original Score’, the first ever Oscar for Marvel Studios.
Announced by Melissa McCarthy and Brian Tyree Henry, the Oscar for the costume design went to Ruth Carter, who designed the vibrant, layered, incredible clothes worn by the people of Wakanda. This was Carter’s third nomination (previously nominated for Malcolm X and Amistad ) and she is the first black woman to ever win in the Costume Design category.
“Marvel may have created the first black superhero, but through costume design we turned him into an African king. It’s been my life’s honour to create costumes. Thank you to the Academy. Thank you for honouring African royalty and the empowered way women can look and lead on screen. Adding vibrainaum to costumes is very expensive!,” Carter told in her speech.
For the Production Design the Oscar was awarded to Hannah Beachler and Jay Hart for building and creating the country of Wakanda; from its buildings, technology, mountains and vistas.
Beachler said in her speech, “I stand here stronger than I was yesterday, I stand here with agency and self-worth because of Ryan Coogler…I stand here because of this man who offered me a better perspective of life, who offered me a safe space, who is patient, and gave me air, humanity and brotherhood, thank you Ryan, I love you… I am stronger because of Marvel, who gave me the opportunity to do my best, who supported the vision of this film and lifted us up every day. Victoria Alonso, Kevin Feige, Louis Esposito and Nate Moore, thank you.”
Ludwig Göransson who won the Oscar for the original score, began his acceptance speech by thanking director Ryan Coogler. “Working with you has been an incredible honour. I remember 12 years ago we were sitting in our dorm room at UC writing the score for your first film, and we’re here 12 years later celebrating one of the most important cinematic moments in history.” This was Göransson’s first Oscar nomination and win. He’s won a Grammy for the Black Panther score, as well as a Golden Globe nomination.
In addition to these three, Black Panther was also nominated for Best Picture, Best Sound Mixing, Best Sound Editing and Best Original Song at this year’s awards.
