The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences (AMPAS) has announced 15 songs as finalists for the 2025 Oscar’s original song category, set to be whittled down to five nominees on January 17, 2025. The list features a mix of established artists like Diane Warren and Elton John, along with newcomers from movies such as Emilia Pérez, Moana 2, and Luca Guadagnino’s Challengers.
Notably absent are any songs from the highest-grossing Broadway musical movie ever at the domestic box office, Wicked. However, a new song will be added when Wicked: For Good opens next Thanksgiving. Other notable snubs include Miley Cyrus’s “Beautiful This Way” and Pharrell’s “Happy.”
Returning Oscar vets like Diane Warren and Elton John are in the running with their respective songs from Tyler Perry’s Netflix movie The Six Triple Eight and the Disney+ documentary about the legendary singer, Elton John: Never Too Late. Other contenders include Nicholas Britell, Trent Reznor, and Atticus Ross for their works on Luca Guadagnino’s Challengers and the WWII pic Blitz.
First-time nominees this year include Kristen Wiig, Sean Douglas, and Josh Greenbaum, co-writers of “Harper and Will Go West” from Netflix’s documentary Will & Harper. Other newcomers are Abigail Barlow and Emily Bear, possibly landing their first Oscar nom for “Beyond” from Moana 2, and the Belfast hip-hop trio Kneecap for their song “Sick in the Head.”
The diverse lineup showcases a range of genres and styles, with songs from The Unofficial Bridgerton Musical architects Abigail Barlow and Emily Bear, country singer Lainey Wilson, and folk guitar-infused Robbie Williams.
Source: https://deadline.com/2024/12/oscars-original-song-short-list-miley-cyrus-snub-lin-manuel-miranda-1236209084