Josh Brolin Defends Denis Villeneuve After Oscar Snub for Dune: Part Two
The Academy Awards have made changes to their nomination process over the years, allowing more films to compete for Best Picture. However, other major categories, like Best Director, remain limited to just five spots. This sometimes leads to notable omissions and intense competition. The recent announcement of Oscar nominations resulted in excitement for films such as Dune: Part Two and Wicked, which earned a spot in the Best Picture category. However, neither film’s director received a nomination, which upset Dune star Josh Brolin.
Fans of Dune will remember that while Denis Villeneuve did receive nominations for Best Picture and Best Adapted Screenplay for the first Dune film in 2022, he was also overlooked for Best Director that year. His only Best Director nomination thus far came for Arrival in 2017, where he lost to Damien Chazelle for La La Land.
Brolin, who portrays Gurney Halleck in the Dune series, shared his feelings on Instagram following the announcement. He congratulated his team for their accomplishments, stating: "Just want to say congratulations to the Dune best picture nomination, to Greig Fraser for cinematography, for best visual effects, special effects, for Patrice Vermette for production design and for sound, I believe."
Continuing his thoughts, he expressed disappointment in the Academy’s decision. Brolin joked, "Apparently, I am going to quit acting because Denis Villeneuve didn’t get nominated. This is just how this thing works. It makes no sense to me. That’s okay. Editor Joe Walker, Denis Villeneuve, you deserve it. It’s an amazing film. I think it was even better than the first one. But the people who have gotten accolades sure deserve it. Happy to be a part of it. Congratulations everyone."
This comment about quitting acting refers back to an earlier conversation Brolin had with Variety, where he stated, "If he doesn’t get nominated this year, I’ll quit acting." He remarked on the quality of Dune: Part Two, stating that it was even better than the first installment. He emphasized his admiration for Villeneuve, calling him one of the masters of filmmaking and expressing hope that the Academy would acknowledge his work.
Looking ahead, there may be future opportunities for recognition as Villeneuve is reportedly working on Dune Messiah. If the Academy voters overlook him yet again, followers can turn to Brolin’s social media for his insights and reactions.
Oscars, Film, Director, Josh Brolin