Ryan Coogler declines Academy invitation - report
Director Ryan Coogler has reportedly turned down an invitation to join the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences.
The Creed filmmaker was among the 683 industry leaders who were offered the chance to join the organization and become one of the people who determine the winners of the Oscars, earlier this year (16), but sources tell The Hollywood Reporter Coogler has yet to send in his acceptance letter amid claims he has no interest in joining.
His representatives have declined to comment on the reports.
The record-setting number of Academy invitees was prompted by criticism levelled at the organization heads about the lack of diversity at this year's (16) Academy Awards - many black actors and filmmakers, including Coogler and his Creed star Michael B. Jordan, weren't even nominated, prompting civil rights activists, film fans and celebrities alike to demand a change in the voting.
Many felt there were too many old white men casting votes for the Oscars, and the Academy bosses agreed to balance out those involved in deciding the top awards. Academy President Cheryl Boone Isaacs and the board of governors approved sweeping modifications to their voting system in order to double the number of both women and people of color in their ranks.
When the Academy issued the new invitations in June (16), 46 per cent of the new crop was female and 41 per cent people of color.
Creed and Fruitvale Station star Jordan, America Ferrera, Idris Elba, Oscar Isaac, Ice Cube, Daniel Dae Kim, Freida Pinto, Gabrielle Union, Eva Mendes, and directors Cary Joji Fukunaga and James Wan were also among those invited to become Academy members this year.
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