Ava DuVernay's film "Origin" will be competing as an original screenplay, not an adapted screenplay, for this awards season. The film, inspired by Isabel Wilkerson's book "Caste: The Origins of Our Discontent," is not an adaptation but rather a moving drama that explores Wilkerson's path to making connections about prejudice. The Writers Guild of America has deemed it an original screenplay, and the film's backers plan to campaign for it accordingly.
The category in which the screenplay for the film "Barbie" will compete at the Oscars is still being debated. The decision depends on how the Writers Guild of America (WGA) classifies it and whether the Academy will overrule that choice. The film's title cards indicate it is based on the Barbie toy by Mattel, suggesting an "adapted" run. However, there are examples of films with existing IP and toy products competing in the original screenplay category. The final decision will impact the film's chances of winning and will likely be determined closer to the nomination voting in January.
