Hollywood's Power Play: The Quest for an Oscar

The world of Hollywood can be as mysterious as the Force in Star Wars. Behind the scenes, there is a lot of maneuvering and influence that goes on. Kathleen Kennedy, the head of Lucasfilm, has been quietly working to secure an Honorary Oscar for Disney's CEO, Bob Iger. She has been reaching out to key figures within the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences. She wants them to consider Iger for one of the prestigious annual honors. Iger is known for his strategic acquisitions, including Marvel, Pixar, and Lucasfilm, which have significantly boosted Disney's revenue. The Academy's board members have mixed feelings about this. Some are hesitant due to Disney's ownership of ABC, the long-time broadcaster of the Oscars. There are concerns about a potential conflict of interest, especially since the Academy is in talks to renew its contract with ABC beyond 2028. Iger himself is reportedly unaware of Kennedy's efforts, and it is unclear what her true motivations are. It is common for Academy members to advocate for honorary candidates, but Kennedy's actions have raised some eyebrows. Kennedy's tenure at Lucasfilm has been a mix of successes and setbacks. She took over after Disney acquired the company in 2012 for $4 billion. Under her leadership, Lucasfilm has seen both triumphs and failures. The streaming service has been a hit with shows like "The Mandalorian" and "Andor. "However, some film projects like "Solo" have not performed well. Kennedy has not been able to get a new Star Wars movie into production since 2019, except for the upcoming "Mandalorian" film. There are rumors about her future at Lucasfilm, with some speculating that she might step down soon. The Honorary Oscars are given out annually at the Governors Awards in November. Past recipients include notable figures like Jean-Luc Godard and Mel Brooks. The Academy is expected to announce the 2025 winners soon. Kennedy herself received the Irving G. Thalberg Memorial Award in 2018, recognizing her contributions to film. She has been nominated for eight Oscars, including for producing iconic films like "E. T. " and "The Color Purple. " The Hollywood power dynamics are complex. The quest for an Oscar can involve a lot of behind-the-scenes work. It is a world where influence and strategy play a big role. The Academy's decisions can be influenced by various factors, including business relationships and personal connections. The outcome of Kennedy's lobbying efforts remains to be seen.