Brian Cox slammed the Academy Awards as “nonsense” in an interview with The Hollywood Reporter released on Dec. 16.
The star answered a question about playing Winston Churchill in the 2017 film Churchill, the same year Darkest Hour was released. Gary Oldman, who played the same historical figure, won the Oscar for Best Actor in this film.
“I still think my performance was a better performance.” he said Hollywood Reporter.
He vented his frustration at the award ceremony. “Our movie came out in the summer and was a relatively independent movie, so the studio power wasn’t there,” Cox said. “The Oscars are complete nonsense, because everything that’s judged at the Oscars isn’t a year-long job. It’s just a job that comes out between Thanksgiving and Christmas.”
LONDON, UK – DECEMBER 3: Brian Cox at the World Premiere of ‘The Lord of the Rings: Battle of the Rohirrim’ held at Odeon Lux Leicester Square on December 3, 2024 in London, England. attended. (Photo by Jeff Spicer/Getty Images, Warner Bros. Pictures)
Los Angeles, California – March 8: Academy Awards for Genocide on display at the British Consulate 96th Academy Awards Ceremony celebrates excellence in British cinema at the British Consulate & 96th Academy Awards to be held at the British Consulate Consulate General in Los Angeles, California, March 8, 2024, celebrates excellence in British cinema at the Academy Awards ceremony. (Photo by British Consulate General Los Angeles: Frazer Harrison/Getty Images) Getty Images
Cox went on to vent his dissatisfaction, saying, “Honestly, I think these awards are a mistake because there are so many great films outside of Oscar season.”
He said he had problems with the way the prestigious awards ceremony was handled.
“That’s why my movies never got any attention,” he said, according to The Hollywood Reporter.
LONDON, UK – DECEMBER 3: Brian Cox and Nicole Ansari attend The Lord of the Rings: Rohirrim at the Odeon Lux Leicester Square on December 3, 2024 in London, England. Attended the world premiere of “Battle of the World”. (Photo by Joe Maher/Getty Images, Warner Bros. Pictures)
The famous actor shined a spotlight on what goes on behind the scenes, as distributors often release award-winning films towards the end of the year, when award nominees are reviewed and selected. (Related: Brian Cox accuses Joaquin Phoenix of wild talk)
Despite his misgivings about the process by which his films would be evaluated, Cox has planted firm roots in the entertainment industry. He recently lent his voice to the new film The Lord of the Rings: Battle of the Rohirrim, which was released on December 13th.
