Ryan Coogler has stated that his 2016 decision to decline an invitation to join the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences stemmed from his busy schedule and discomfort with judging films, not animosity toward Oscar voters. The director shared these insights in a New York Times profile amid strong Oscar buzz for his latest film, Sinners. Coogler emphasized his preference for labor unions over awards bodies while appreciating the camaraderie of awards season.
Coogler's Rejection of the Academy Invite
Nearly a decade ago, in 2016, Ryan Coogler turned down an invitation to join the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, the organization behind the Oscars. This came shortly after the critical and commercial success of his 2015 film Creed, which earned Sylvester Stallone an Oscar nomination but was snubbed in major categories like best picture, director, and actor. Coogler told The New York Times that the choice was not motivated by bitterness. "It’s not out of animosity," he said, citing commitments to directorial projects, unions, and film school that left him stretched thin. He added, "And I’m not good at judging things, bro. The act of ‘Hey, pick the best thing’ is very stressful for me, even when there’s no stakes involved."
Coogler's earlier works faced similar Oscar oversights. His 2013 breakthrough Fruitvale Station was entirely ignored by the Academy, while his 2018 blockbuster Black Panther received seven nominations, including the first for best picture in the superhero genre, but excluded Coogler from the best director race. Reflecting on such snubs, Coogler told The Hollywood Reporter in 2021, "I don’t buy into this versus that, or ‘this movie wasn’t good enough to make this list.’ I love movies. For me, that’s good enough. If I’m going to be a part of organizations, they’re going to be labor unions, where we’re figuring out how to take care of each other’s families and health insurance."
Oscar Prospects for Sinners
Coogler returns to the Oscar conversation with Sinners, a frontrunner for best picture and potential nods in best director and best original screenplay. He previously earned a best picture nomination as a producer on 2021's Judas and the Black Messiah. Though uninterested in the glamour—"People see the tuxedo, they see the red carpet, but it’s real blue-collar folks making these movies happen"—Coogler values awards season for reconnecting with collaborators and industry friends. The full New York Times profile offers deeper insights into his approach to filmmaking and recognition.