Oscars 2021 Nominations: Biggest Surprises And The Worst Snubs
3. Ma Rainey's Black Bottom - Best Adapted Screenplay
Ma Rainey's Black Bottom is a film which featured arguably the two strongest performances of the year from Viola Davis' formidable take on the titular character to Chadwick Boseman's impassioned performance as the band's trumpet player.
The Academy seems to agree there, as this was pretty much Ma Rainey's Black Bottom received in terms of Oscar love. While it did receive a nomination for Costume and Makeup alongside its two acting nominations, it failed to gain any traction for its intricate screenplay adapted from award-winning playwright August Wilson.
Whether it was a case of the Academy deciding it already had one Black historical play with One Night in Miami or deciding that the adaptation process involved little more than trimming down the lengthy play into a 90 minute format, the Academy ultimately refused to recognise Wilson's seminal text.