Josh Brolin Threatens to Leave Acting If Oscars Ignore This Sci-Fi Director
In an eye-opening commentary, Josh Brolin voiced his frustration over the Academy Awards’ treatment of Denis Villeneuve, the visionary director behind “Dune.” At the 2022 Oscars, Villeneuve’s monumental adaptation of Frank Herbert’s “Dune” garnered a slew of nominations—ten to be precise—but notably absent was a nod for Best Director. This glaring omission puzzled many, given the film’s critical success and complex narrative.
Brolin, who portrayed Gurney Halleck in the sci-fi epic, expressed his discontent through a passionate Instagram video at the time. Describing the Academy’s decision as “numbing” and “flummoxing,” he also congratulated his fellow cast members on their individual nominations. Despite his disappointment, “Dune” ultimately won several awards, including Best Visual Effects, which Brolin acknowledged as deserved.
With the recent release of “Dune: Part Two” in March 2024, Brolin is once again putting the Academy Awards in his crosshairs. In a candid interview with Variety, he stressed his admiration for Villeneuve’s work, stating that if the Academy fails to nominate the director for his latest effort, he might walk away from acting entirely. “If he doesn’t get nominated this year, I’ll quit acting,” the 56-year-old actor declared, further adding, “It was a better movie than the first one. Watching it felt like my brain had opened up. It’s masterful, and Denis is one of our great filmmakers. If the Academy Awards mean anything, they should recognize him.”
Villeneuve, nominated for an Oscar three times, has yet to secure a win, a fact that has left Brolin deeply unsettled. A dedicated supporter of Villeneuve’s artistry, Brolin has raved about “Dune: Part Two,” even sharing plans to attend every screening possible. “I’ve seen it once but know I want to see it again. You go, ‘We’re doing a premiere, but let’s leave because we’ve already seen it multiple times.’ With ‘Dune: Part Two,’ you think, ‘No, I want to stay for this one, because I want more.’”
However, Villeneuve’s potential snub extends beyond mere nominations. The Oscars have stirred further controversy by disallowing Hans Zimmer’s score from competing, raising questions about the Academy’s decision-making processes. Additionally, the previous year’s makeup award snub, where “Dune” lost to “The Eyes of Tammy Faye” in a non-live segment, only added fuel to the fire of dissatisfaction.
As the 2025 Oscars loom, supporters continue to ponder whether Villeneuve will receive the recognition he deserves. Brolin encapsulated the struggle succinctly when reflecting on the previous snub: “I don’t know how you get ten nominations and the person who has done the impossible with that book doesn’t get nominated. It shows that while it all seems amazing, it’s all quite ridiculous.”
In the grand scheme, regardless of the Academy’s decisions, “Dune” and its sequel stand as cinematic achievements of remarkable technical prowess. One thing remains clear: Brolin’s commitment to Villeneuve’s vision is unwavering, and his threat to quit acting serves as a testament to the profound impact this director has had on his craft.
