When Hamilton was released on Disney+ the already sensational show took on another life breaking records on Disney’s streaming service. Originally it was expected to be released into theaters. However, due to the pandemic, it was released instead on Disney+. While it has earned accolades and Tony awards there is one award it will not be getting.
The award Hamilton will not be receiving is the Academy Award. The Academy’s Awards Rules Committee met to discuss its eligibility and determined that it is ineligible. The members of the rules committee decided to disqualify the musical referencing Rule Two, Section G of the 93rd Academy Awards Rules, which states in part: “The Awards Rules Committee will evaluate all matters of rules and eligibility.”
While Hamilton will not be eligible for the Oscars, there are other awards it is eligible for. For the Golden Globe Awards, Hamilton is eligible for best picture (musical or comedy) and Lin-Manuel Miranda and Leslie Odem Jr. are eligible for best actor in a musical or comedy. Odem is also eligible for supporting actor. The SAG award has Hamilton being treated as a TV movie where it could be in the categories of best actor in a TV movie or miniseries and best actress in a TV movie or miniseries. For the SAG Awards, there is no delineation between leads and supporting roles, only gender. This could mean that Hamilton cast could find themselves up against each other.
While Hamilton may not be up for an Oscar this year, it still has been recognized already and will most likely receive more recognition in the future. It has captured the hearts of those who have seen it on Disney+ and continues to find relevance in modern-day as history continues to be made. What do you think of the decision by the Academy’s Awards Rules Committee to disqualify Hamilton from the Oscars? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
