Why did Ryan Coogler decline the Academy invitation?

Ryan Coogler declined the invitation because he finds the act of judging films inherently stressful and prefers hands-on filmmaking.

What is Ryan Coogler's view on judging movies?

Coogler believes judging movies is stressful and prefers to focus on the creation process rather than ranking films.

What are the Oscar projections for Ryan Coogler's 'Sinners'?

'Sinners' is projected to be a strong contender at the 2026 Academy Awards, with potential nominations for Best Director and other major categories.

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Coogler: Judging Oscars is 'stressful'

12 Dec, 2025

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Summary

Coogler declined Academy invite due to judging stress.
He prefers behind-the-scenes movie creation.
His film 'Sinners' is a projected 2026 Oscar contender.

Filmmaker Ryan Coogler recently clarified that his 2016 decision to decline an invitation to join the Academy was not driven by animosity. He stated that the act of judging films, even without stakes, causes him significant stress.

Coogler expressed a preference for the hands-on, "blue-collar" aspects of filmmaking, contrasting it with the perceived glamour of the entertainment industry. He believes his focus should remain on the collaborative process of storytelling rather than evaluating others' work.

Meanwhile, Coogler's film 'Sinners' is generating considerable buzz for the 2026 Academy Awards. Projections suggest it could secure numerous nominations, including for Best Director, Best Picture, Best Actor, and Best Original Screenplay.

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