Oscars 2016: The Revenant tops nominations list

One could easily see the Academy handing the award to any of the competitor’s fellow nominees, including Matt Damon, who starred in The Martian, or Steve Jobs’ Michael Fassbender.

Best supporting actor is led by a comeback story for Sylvester Stallone, reprising his role as Rocky Balboa in “Creed”. “I realized how special that is and I didn’t expect that to happen to me”, he said.

Meanwhile, the competition is a lot more intense in the Best Picture nominations as eight movies, including “Mad Max: Fury Road“, are going head-to-head for the gold. And while many thought “Straight Outta Compton” might earn a best picture nod, it will have to settle for a nomination for best original screenplay. The actor was first nominated for an Academy Award 22-years ago, for his supporting role of Arnie Grape in 1994’s “What’s Eating Gilbert Grape”.

Finally, we have the Best Picture category that every movie strives to win.

“This will send the message that diversity in the film industry must be more than a hollow promise, ” he said.

Actor Eddie Redmayne, who won last year’s Oscar for best actor for his role in “The Theory of Everything”, has yet again been nominated in the Actor in a Leading Role category for playing a transgender in “The Danish Girl”.

The 2016 Oscar nominations were announced this morning, and, as always, there were several snubs and surprises.

The Golden Globe Award acting nominations this year were also mostly white, with Elba and Will Smith, who was nominated for best actor in a drama for “Concussion, ” the only black nominees.

The Oscars have also faced criticism in recent years for focusing on art-house content over blockbusters. It had emerged past year, when only white actors received nods.

The Best Actress nominees include Brie Larson, Jennifer Lawrence, Cate Blanchett, Saoirse Ronan and Charlotte Rampling.

Academy President Cheryl Boone Isaacs seemed to agree.

The 88th Academy Awards will be held February 28 in Hollywood, carried live on Walt Disney Co.’s ABC network and broadcast in more than 225 countries.

“The Martian” director Ridley Scott did not make the short list, but he was overlooked, as was “Carol” director Todd Haynes.