Sunday, June 26, 2011

Beyonce, Russell Brand, Rooney Mara, Jesse Eisenberg: Meet the 2011 Academy Class


Rooney Mara & Jesse Eisenberg
Gabriel Bouys/AP Photos; John Sciulli/Getty Images

Who says the Oscars are too old? But not all members of the esteemed Motion Picture Academy are on board with some of the 178 newbies invited to join the group.

The Academy of motion Picture Arts and Sciences has invited 178 new members into the fold, and Academy president Tom Sherak says they represent "the best filmakers working in the industry today." But the Academy can be a big, dysfunctional family, and not all its members approved.
One questioned the inclusion of CBS president and CEO Leslie Moonves since his only connection to film is the relatively new CBS Films unit. "Too many people on that board work in television, and they were afraid it would get back to him if they said no," the member gripes.
A number of the actors also raised eyebrows. "John Corbett is the most questionable one," says a member. "Doesn't he do voice-overs for Applebee's?" Another a similar complaint but a different list. "Tea Leoni, David Duchovny -- these are people not working in film. And Beyonce? She's a fine entertainer, but she moonlights as an actress."
Some felt that in seeking out younger members, the Academy was in too big a hurry, citing Rooney Mara. "I could see her getting in maybe after The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo," says one, "but she was in The Social Network for something like eight minutes." Even so, this member says the Academy could use some fresh faces: "If they are under the age of 70 -- welcome."   
THE YOUNGSTERS
Who says the Academy is too old? Some of the newest members of the acting branch will have to show IDs to get a drink at the Oscars
  • Jesse EisenbergThe Social Network
  • Mila KunisBlack Swan
  • Jennifer LawrenceWinter's Bone
  • Rooney MaraThe Social Network
  • Ellen PageJuno
  • Mia WasikowskaAlice in Wonderland
THE 'TOO SCARY TO SAY NO TO' PEOPLE
Executive status has its perks -- and one is a summons to join the club
  • Leslie Moonves, president and CEO, CBS
  • Christopher Dodd, chairman and CEO, MPAA
  • Dawn Hudson, CEO, AMPAS
  • Donna Langley, co-chairman, Universal Pictures
  • Rich Ross, chairman, Disney Studios
  • Ric Robertson, COO, AMPAS
  • Thomas Tull, CEO, Legendary Pictures
THE INDIE CROWD
A number of filmmakers with indie cred got the nod -- it's like a Sundance reunion
  • Peter DinklageThe Station Agent
  • John HawkesWinter's Bone
  • Gregg ArakiThe Living End
  • Lisa CholodenkoThe Kids Are All Right
  • Debra GranikWinter's Bone
  • John Cameron MitchellShortbus
  • Jeffrey Levy-HinteThe Kids Are All Right
THE CURVEBALLS
So we're not talking Meryl Streep and Robert De Niro. Even the Academy needs to have fun.
  • Russell BrandArthur
  • Beyonce KnowlesDreamgirls
THE TV STARS
They cross the line between TV and film but are still mainly associated with the small screen
  • John CorbettMy Big Fat Greek Wedding
  • David DuchovnyThe X-Files
  • Dominic MonaghanThe Lord of the Rings
THE MATINEE IDOLS
The Academy isn't immune to the star wattage they bring to the party
  • Gerard Butler300
  • Bradley Cooper The Hangover
  • Jennifer GarnerJuno
THE OSCAR WINNERS
An Oscar doesn't automatically mean membership, but these were all deemed worthy
  • Susanne BierIn a Better World
  • Tom HooperThe King's Speech
  • Charles FergusonInside Job
  • Iain CanningThe King's Speech
  • Paul J. FranklinInception
  • Lora HirschbergInception
  • Ed NovickInception
  • Andrew RuhemannThe Lost Thing
  • Aaron SorkinThe Social Network
  • Emile ShermanThe King's Speech
  • David SeidlerThe King's Speech
  • Shaun TanThe Lost Thing
  • Gareth UnwinThe King's Speech
  • Angus WallThe Social Network
WHAT TOOK THEM SO LONG?
Patience sometimes pays off, as these showbiz veterans can testify
  • Robbie ColtraneMona Lisa
  • Wes StudiGeronimo: An American Legend
  • Terence BlanchardMalcolm X
  • David RabeCasualties of War
THE HITMAKERS
Their movies might not always win Oscars, but box-office success is hard to ignore
  • Kevin FeigeIron Man
  • Gary GoetzmanMamma Mia!
  • Todd LiebermanThe Proposal
  • Robert LorenzGran Torino
  • Aline Brosh McKennaThe Devil Wears Prada
  • Emma ThomasThe Dark Knight
POSTHUMOUS
  • Tim Hetherington
    In an unprecedented gesture, the Academy included the late documentary filmmaker, who was nominated at this year's Academy Awards for his film Restrepo and was killed April 20 while covering the uprising in Libya. It also invited his Restrepo co-director Sebastian Junger.

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