Oscars 2021 Nominations Snubs and Surprises: Regina King, Lakeith Stanfield and More

Credit: Rob Latour/Shutterstock; Courtesy of Warner Bros.

Oscars 2021 Nominations Snubs and Surprises: Regina King, Lakeith Stanfield and More

A mix of emotions. When the nominations were announced for the 93rd annual Academy Awards on Monday, March 15, the list was filled with happy surprises and disappointing snubs — as it always is. One of the most exciting revelations from the nominations was in the best director category. For the first time ever, two women were recognized for their directing abilities: Golden Globe winner Chloé Zhao for Nomadland and Emerald Fennell for Promising Young Woman. With the nod, Zhao, 38, also became the first nonwhite​​ woman to be recognized. [jwplayer nNhkDkQM] Since the Oscars began, only five women have been nominated in the category: Lina Wertmüller in 1977 for Seven Beauties, Jane Campion for The Piano in 1994, Sofia Coppola for Lost in Translation in 2003, Kathryn Bigelow for The Hurt Locker in 2010 and Greta Gerwig for Lady Bird in 2018. Bigelow is the only woman to take home the trophy. Zhao also became the first woman to receive four nominations in one year. In addition to Directing, she is nominated for Film Editing, Writing (Adapted Screenplay) and Best Picture. Fennell, who became the first woman to be nominated for a feature directorial debut, received three nominations: Directing, Writing (Original Screenplay) and Best Picture. The best director category, however, did include a surprising snub, leaving out Da 5 Bloods director, Spike Lee, who was previously nominated for Do the Right Thing, 4 Little Girls and BlacKkKlansman. Scroll through the list below for more surprises and snubs ahead of the ceremony. The 93rd Academy Awards will air on ABC Sunday, April 25, at 8 p.m. ET. [podcast_block]

Credit: Rob Latour/Shutterstock; Courtesy of Warner Bros.

Oscars 2021 Nominations Snubs and Surprises: Regina King, Lakeith Stanfield and More

A mix of emotions. When the nominations were announced for the 93rd annual Academy Awards on Monday, March 15, the list was filled with happy surprises and disappointing snubs — as it always is. One of the most exciting revelations from the nominations was in the best director category. For the first time ever, two women were recognized for their directing abilities: Golden Globe winner Chloé Zhao for Nomadland and Emerald Fennell for Promising Young Woman. With the nod, Zhao, 38, also became the first nonwhite​​ woman to be recognized. [jwplayer nNhkDkQM] Since the Oscars began, only five women have been nominated in the category: Lina Wertmüller in 1977 for Seven Beauties, Jane Campion for The Piano in 1994, Sofia Coppola for Lost in Translation in 2003, Kathryn Bigelow for The Hurt Locker in 2010 and Greta Gerwig for Lady Bird in 2018. Bigelow is the only woman to take home the trophy. Zhao also became the first woman to receive four nominations in one year. In addition to Directing, she is nominated for Film Editing, Writing (Adapted Screenplay) and Best Picture. Fennell, who became the first woman to be nominated for a feature directorial debut, received three nominations: Directing, Writing (Original Screenplay) and Best Picture. The best director category, however, did include a surprising snub, leaving out Da 5 Bloods director, Spike Lee, who was previously nominated for Do the Right Thing, 4 Little Girls and BlacKkKlansman. Scroll through the list below for more surprises and snubs ahead of the ceremony. The 93rd Academy Awards will air on ABC Sunday, April 25, at 8 p.m. ET. [podcast_block]

Credit: Taylor Jewell/Invision/AP/Shutterstock(2)

Making History

This year, for the first time ever, two female directors were nominated: Zhao for Nomadland and Fennell for Promising Young Woman.

Credit: Courtesy of Warner Bros.

Go Lakeith

Despite being snubbed by the Globes and SAGs, Lakeith Stanfield nabbed a nomination for best supporting actor for his powerful part in Judas and the Black Messiah. 

Credit: Courtesy of David Lee / Netflix

What About Ma Rainey's Black Bottom?

While Chadwick Boseman and Viola Davis were nominated in the actor/actress categories, the film was snubbed in the Best Picture category.

Credit: Courtesy of Bruce Talamon/Universal

No Hanks?

It was a bit disappointing to see Tom Hanks come up empty for his Civil War film, News of the World.

Credit: Rob Latour/Shutterstock

Regina King

Although the show has come a long way with its female directors, Regina King wasn't included for her film, One Night in Miami. Plus, although the movie nabbed three nominations, it wasn't part of the top category. Plus, Best Picture can include up to 10 nominees — but only eight were listed.

Credit: David Lee/Netflix/Kobal/Shutterstock

Little Love for Da 5 Bloods

It was quite surprising that Boseman didn't receive a supporting actor nod for Da 5 Bloods, but even more so that the film was barely recognized, minus the Original Score nod. Director Lee was also snubbed.

Credit: Courtesy of Netflix

No Zendaya

Although the film wasn't critically acclaimed, Zendaya wasn't recognized for Malcolm and Marie.

Credit: Courtesy of Warner Bros.

Where's Jared?

Despite receiving rave reviews for his creepy performance in The Little Things, Jared Leto was left off the nominations list.