Oscars get animated: The 'Up' conundrum (THR)

By Nancy Tartaglione

The Oscar buzz this year couldn't be higher for Pixar's "Up," says The Hollywood Reporter: A nomination for Best Picture (a feat not repeated since 1991's "Beauty and the Beast") could be in the offing and a nod in the best animated feature category looks like a lock. But, while a dual nomination would give Pixar crowing rights, it could also create complications.

The best-picture momentum could give "Up" some extra oomph in the animation category. But for some voters, it could slice the other way, prompting them to choose another film in animation because they've already put "Up" high on their best picture ballot, as THR notes.

Still, the "Up" conundrum isn't the only colorful drama playing out this year. The animation race is more wide open than ever. There will likely be five pictures nominated - if the Academy qualifies at least 16 animated releases (20 films are said to have been submitted this year) - which would nearly double the usual amount of nominees and essentially create the animation equivalent of the best-picture slot expansion.

"There's real anticipation this year because of the possibility we're finally going to hit the magic number of 16, which would be a real bonus for many of the smaller pictures at the boxoffice and on DVD," Animation Magazine's Ramin Zahed told THR. "We say that every year, but this year there's a real feeling it could happen."

Every major studio besides Warner Bros. has a contender this year along with a few smaller companies.

The race also will offer the rare case of pitting classic Disney (as in the hand-drawn "The Princess and the Frog") against the new, CG-ized Disney, says THR.

Indeed, the prize is becoming a referendum on format, at a time when the animation world is seeing technology and opinions proliferate.

The eligibility list will be announced within the next week.