Oscars Shakeup: Barbie Moved to Adapted Screenplay by Academy Despite WGA Classification

Greta Gerwigs blockbuster comedy Barbie has been deemed an adapted screenplay by the Writers Branch executive committee of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, despite campaigning for original screenplay, Variety has exclusively learned.

Greta Gerwig‘s blockbuster comedy “Barbie” has been deemed an adapted screenplay by the Writers Branch executive committee of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, despite campaigning for original screenplay, Variety has exclusively learned.

When official Oscar nomination voting opens Thursday, Jan. 11, eligible voting members of the branch will only be able to cast votes for the script written by Gerwig and Noah Baumbach in adapted screenplay.

The film tells the story of Barbie (Margot Robbie), who suffers an identity crisis in Barbie World, leading her on a quest with her beau Ken (Ryan Gosling) to the real world to seek the answers regarding her existence.

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Read: Variety’s Awards Circuit for the latest Oscars predictions in all categories.

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Variety had previously reported that “Barbie” would be campaigned for best original screenplay for the upcoming awards season rather than in adapted screenplay, as had been presumed. The decision brought about some interesting debate on social media. The film was designated an original work by the Writers Guild of America. That classification will stick for the upcoming WGA Awards. However, each awards body and voting group has its own subset of rules for movies regarding which screenplay category they can submit or ultimately be nominated. Due to the Hollywood strikes, the precursors are not as crucial in years past after shifting the ceremony to April following the Oscars ceremony.

Within the Writers Branch of the Academy, a committee determines films’ eligibilities in submitted categorizations and isn’t bound to follow what the WGA decides. In years past, some movies, like Barry Jenkins’ “Moonlight” (2016), were campaigned and labeled as “original” by the WGA but moved to adapted by the Academy committee. “Moonlight” was decided due to the play it was based on never being published, and it went on to win adapted screenplay, plus best picture and supporting actor. Other switched scripts over the years include nominees like Stephen Gaghan’s “Syriana” (2005), Joel Coen and Ethan Coen’s “The Ballad of Buster Scruggs” (2018), and even non-nominated films like Jeff Nichols’ “Loving” (2016).

Many films about pre-existing characters are ultimately classified as adapted screenplays — such as previous nominees like “Toy Story 3,” “Borat 2,” “Before Sunset” and “Before Midnight.” Barbie and Ken were Mattel dolls long before they came to the big screen, which is where the Oscars’ decision likely originated.

Gerwig, who became the first woman to helm a billion-dollar movie, has been nominated for three Oscars in her career — “Little Women” (2019) in adapted and “Lady Bird” (2016) for original screenplay and directing. She’s one of seven women ever nominated for directing. If nominated this year, she would be the second woman to be recognized a second time, following winner Jane Campion for “The Power of the Dog” (2021).

Gerwig’s writing partner and husband, Baumbach, also has three nods in his career — two for original screenpaly for “The Squid and the Whale” (2005) and “Marriage Story” (2018), plus a best picture nod for the latter. This could be a great way to give both beloved filmmakers their due. In adapted, “Barbie” will likely face off against “Poor Things” by Tony McNamara, “Killers of the Flower Moon” by Eric Roth and Martin Scorsese, and its “Barbenheimer” partner, “Oppenheimer” by Christopher Nolan.

With “Barbie” out of original screenplay, that leaves an opening for a new frontrunner to take the pole position. Films such as Celine Song’s “Past Lives” and Alexander Payne’s “The Holdovers” could be the ones to duke it out, while Todd Haynes’ “May December” and Justine Triet’s “Anatomy of a Fall” have both performed very well on the precursors circuit.

Gerwig’s meta-comedy tied the Golden Globes’ record held by “Cabaret” (1972) as the second-most nominated film in the organization’s history with nine nods, including best picture (comedy or musical). It’s expected to do very well at Sunday’s ceremony, likely winning the award for best screenplay (which the Globes combine among all works and genres). The BAFTA longlist will be released on Friday, where “Barbie” was also deemed original and is likely to appear on the list of 10 finalists before noms are announced later in January.

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