The most recent buzzing entry within the movie-musical canon is undoubtedly Depraved, and the movie’s producers (in addition to its stars, Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande) are nearly actually gunning for Oscars recognition. But, followers of the musical adaptation gained’t see any Depraved songs nominated for Greatest Authentic Tune when the 97th Academy Award nominations are introduced in January 2025.
Whilst you may argue every track from Stephen Schwartz’s epic, empowering rating is an unique track, Depraved‘s producers are literally unable to submit any songs from the movie for the Oscars this yr. Right here’s why.
Why Are Depraved’s Songs Ineligible for the Oscar for Greatest Authentic Tune?
In current Oscars historical past, movies like Chicago, Dreamgirls, and Les Miserables have every been relative hits on the awards, and regardless of having scores and soundtracks written years previous to their launch, all of them managed to sneak in nominations in a single essential class: Greatest Authentic Tune. Depraved, nevertheless is ineligible.
In accordance with the Academy Awards’ official guidelines, an unique track:
“Consists of phrases and music, each of that are unique and written particularly for the movement image. There have to be a clearly audible, intelligible, substantive rendition (not essentially visually introduced) of each lyric and melody, used within the physique of the movement image or as the primary music cue in the long run credit.”
Which means none of Depraved’s pre-existing songs can qualify for the Greatest Authentic Tune award and, with out the addition of a brand new track to the soundtrack, the film itself is shut out of this class. It is a main motive why a number of film musicals have added new songs to their movie variations in recent times, like “I Transfer On” in Chicago, “All of the sudden” from Les Miserables, and (*shudders*) “Stunning Ghosts” from 2019’s Cats. Although not all of these songs went on to obtain nominations, it’s an apparent approach for movie producers to attempt to prolong a soundtrack’s affect and accolades.
As such, they in all probability may have added an unique track to Depraved: Half 1, particularly contemplating unique musical scribe Stephen Schwartz performed a serious function in producing and arranging the movie’s soundtrack. Nevertheless, save for some expanded sections in “One Brief Day” and an additional key change on the finish of “Well-liked,” they opted to maintain Depraved’s soundtrack trustworthy to the 2003 unique.
Will the Rating for Depraved Be Eligible for an Oscar?
Whereas all of Depraved’s songs are ineligible for Greatest Authentic Tune, its rating is unquestionably truthful sport for the Greatest Authentic Rating award. Stephen Schwartz crafted the rating alongside John Powell, recognized for his composition work in movies like Solo: A Star Wars Story, Kung Fu Panda, How you can Prepare Your Dragon, and Don’t Fear Darling.
Powell and Schwartz had been among the many composers shortlisted for the Oscar for Greatest Authentic Rating this week, in order that they’re at the moment in pole place to make the ultimate nominations.
What Different Oscars Can Depraved Be Nominated For?
Depraved can be eligible for a lot of the main Oscar awards this yr, together with Greatest Image and Greatest Director. Cynthia Erivo can be thought of for the Greatest Actress award, whereas Ariana Grande can be submitted within the Supporting Actress class. Because of the movie being an adaptation of Winnie Holzman and Stephen Schwartz’s unique musical — itself an adaptation of Gregory Maguire’s 1995 novel Depraved — the movie is ineligible for the Greatest Authentic Screenplay Oscar. As a substitute, it’s up for Greatest Tailored Screenplay.
In the meantime, Depraved can be eligible to obtain nominations in varied inventive awards, similar to Manufacturing Design, Costume Design, Cinematography, Visible Results, Sound, Enhancing, and Make-up and Hairstyling. It’s additionally eligible to be nominated for the Oscars’ latest award, being launched on the 2025 ceremony: Greatest Casting.
Maybe when Depraved’s closing half — now titled Depraved: For Good — arrives subsequent yr, the movie’s producers may have submitted to the FOMO and added an unique track to keep up some Oscars momentum. Fortunately, followers of the unique musical know that even with out “Defying Gravity” and “Well-liked,” Act 2 of the present additionally has its share of simple bangers — so it’s truthful to say a brand new addition isn’t precisely wanted.
When Will the 2025 Oscar Nominations Be Introduced?
Nominations for the 97th Academy Awards can be introduced on January seventeenth, 2025, with the ceremony going down on March 2nd, 2025. Conan O’Brien will host this yr’s awards. As a preview, the Academy simply revealed its shortlists for nominees in a number of classes, together with Greatest Authentic Tune, Greatest Authentic Rating, and Greatest Worldwide Function Movie.
The place Can I Watch Depraved?
Depraved remains to be within the midst of its theatrical run, with sing-along screenings taking place in over 1,000 theaters beginning Christmas Day. A streaming launch date for the movie is at the moment unconfirmed, however it’ll possible be obtainable first on Common’s Peacock.
Half 1 of Jon M. Chu’s Depraved adaptation has change into some of the profitable movies of 2024, grossing $525 million on the international field workplace on its $145 million price range up to now. As a part of our 2024 Annual Report, we named Depraved one of many 25 greatest movies of the yr. Additionally, revisit our unique overview of Depraved, the place we praised the movie’s musical sequences, manufacturing design, performances, and cross-generational enchantment.
