Black women continuously prove that the limit just simply does not exist. Angela Bassett has been nominated for her first Academy Award in 29 years.
The actress’s performance as Queen Ramonda in Marvel’s “Black Panther: Wakanda Forever” earned her a best supporting actress nod for the 95th Academy Awards. Bassett also joins Viola Davis, Octavia Spencer, and Whoopi Goldberg as one of the few Black women who have received several Oscar nominations for acting.
This awards season continues to recognize Bassett for her portrayal of the character. She has already won the Golden Globe and Critics Choice awards for supporting actress. Additionally, she has been nominated for a SAG Award.
Highlighting Angela Bassett’s longevity in this industry, this is her first time receiving a nomination in this millennium. Her last nomination was in 1994 for Best Lead Actress in “What’s Love Got To Do With It.” Although this is not a first for her, she did make history with this nomination. While several Marvel actors have received Academy Awards in the past, none have been nominated for their performance in the films.
Marvel’s History At The Oscars
Bassett is now the first person of color, the first woman, and the first Marvel Studios actor to be nominated for a performance in a comic book adaptation. Her Golden Globe win was also a first for any Marvel actor.
This nomination continues the legacy of the Black Panther franchise. Nominated seven times in the 2019 Academy Awards, the film took home three. Of the three includes the first Best Picture nomination for a superhero movie.
Although “Black Panther: Wakanda Forever” didn’t receive a Best Picture nomination like the first, it still earned five nominations. In addition to Best Supporting Actress, the film received nominations for Best Original Song, Best Makeup and Hairstyling, Best Costume Design, and Best Visual Effects.
Marvel’s rival, DC Films, however, have previously held the same feats. Heath Ledger and Joaquin Phoenix won Oscars for playing the Joker in their respective Batman films. Matt Reeves’ “The Batman” was also nominated for this year’s awards for Best Makeup and Hairstyling, Best Sound, and Best Visual Effects.
Angela Basset On Her Nomination
Bassett shares the Supporting Actress category with Stephanie Hsu and Jamie Lee Curtis, Kerry Condon, and Hong Chau.
In an interview with CNN, Bassett shared more insight into the development of her character. “Wakanda Forever’s Queen Ramonda is a character that touched my spirit because she is a mother and a leader who must care for her grieving nation as much as she cares for her family in mourning. Ramonda is a love letter that reflects and acknowledges what we women do everyday.”
“There was so much to unpack as an actress because it’s brilliant storytelling, alongside a wealth of talent in front of and behind the camera,” she said. “I’m thankful to the Academy for including me amongst a wonderful group of actresses.”
“Wakanda Forever” is the second highest-grossing MCU title of the pandemic at $840.1M. “Spider-Man: No Way Home” takes the crown with a gross of $1.9 billion.
The film centers on the leaders of Wakanda fighting to protect their nation. In the wake of King T’Challa’s death, a new nation challenges Wakanda. King T’Challa dies at the beginning of the film. This was a change that was made after actor Chadwick Boseman passed away from cancer in 2020 just before filming started. Marvel decided not to recast T’Challa. Ryan Coogler shifted the direction of the film to put female characters at the forefront.
In addition to Bassett, the MCU sequel stars names like Letitia Wright, Lupita Nyong’o, Danai Gurira, and Winston Duke. The film debuts on Disney+ on Feb. 1, ahead of its home video release on February 7th.
The 95th Academy Awards announced its host, Jimmy Kimmel, back in November. It airs Sunday, March 12, at 8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT on ABC. See the full list of 2023 Oscar nominations here.