Angela Bassett Makes History As First Marvel Actor To Receive Oscar Nomination For ‘Wakanda Forever’ Performance

Angela Bassett Makes History As First Marvel Actor To Receive Oscar Nomination For ‘Wakanda Forever’ Performance

Movie star Angela Bassett is making history!

The 64-year-old entertainer broke down award barriers by earning a 2023 “Best Supporting Actress” Oscars nomination for her portrayal of Queen Ramonda in the 2022 Marvel film “Black Panther: Wakanda Forver.”

According to reports, Angela Bassett set a new record at Marvel, becoming their first studio actor to ever receive an Academy nomination for their performance in a comic book adaptation. The actress is the first woman, and person of color to be nominated for the prestigious honor for their performance in a comic book adaptation as well. Other performers nominated for comic book roles have traditionally been white males, including Al Pacino (for 1990’s “Dick Tracy”), Heath Ledger (for 2008’s “The Dark Knight”), and leading actor winner Joaquin Phoenix (for 2019’s “Joker”).

For Bassett personally, the nom marks her second at the Academy. Her first was “Best Actress” for her portrayal of Tina Tuner in the 1993 biopic “Whats Love Got To Do With It?” The mother of two spoke about receiving the prestigious recognition in a recent interview. She stated:

“This morning is a little extra special in the Bassett Vance household with news of my Oscar nomination…What has drawn me to each of the women I’ve portrayed throughout my career is their strength, compassion, resilience, and power.”

And continued:

“Wakanda Forever’s Queen Ramonda is a character that touched my spirit because she is a mother and a leader who must care for her grieving nation as much as she cares for her family in mourning. Ramonda is a love letter that reflects and acknowledges what we women do everyday.”

It seems many have favored Bassett to take the win. Just this year, the esteemed entertainer was awarded a Golden Globe and Critics’ Choice award in the same category. Additionally, her Queen Romonda performance is still up for an NAACP Image Award, a Sag award, a BAFTA award, and an HCA award.

Bassett’s fated nomination also seems to slyly respond to Quentin Tarantino’s recent comment that Marvel actors aren’t “real movie stars.” Samuel L. Jackson, fellow Marvel star, previously slammed the filmmaker’s remarks by referencing late “Black Panther” star Chadwick Boseman, stating:

 “Chadwick Boseman is Black Panther. You can’t refute that, and he’s a movie star.”

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