The Oscars have added a new category for the first time in more than two decades, with casting set to be honoured alongside acting, writing and directing.
The Best Casting category will be added to the Academy Awards in 2026, so casting directors will have to wait a little longer for their moment of glory.
"Casting directors play an essential role in filmmaking, and as the Academy evolves, we are proud to add casting to the disciplines that we recognise and celebrate," Academy CEO Bill Kramer and president Janet Yang said in a statement.
Casting directors are some of the first people to join new projects and play an integral role in shaping the films that reach the big screen — from securing Hollywood stars to discovering the next big thing.
A campaign to recognise casting at the Oscars has been going on for several years. Stunt performers are also lobbying for their own Oscar, without success so far.
The addition is a big deal as the last time the Academy created a new category was for Best Animated Film in 2001.
There are an endless amount of films with impeccable casting, but here are just five we think deserve a little more recognition.
The Devil Wears Prada (2006)
The Devil Wears Prada is truly a film where there's not one weak link in the entire cast. You have stage and screen legend Meryl Streep playing the Anna Wintour-esque fashion magazine editor-in-chief, Emily Blunt as her highly strung first assistant Emily, Stanley Tucci shouting "gird your loins" as Nigel, with Anne Hathaway thrown into the chaos as Andy. Australia's Simon Baker even makes an appearance, with supermodels Gisele Bündchen and Heidi Klum making for some memorable cameos.
Fun fact: Blunt invited the cast to her wedding, which is where Tucci met her sister Felicity and the pair ended up getting married themselves, making Blunt and Tucci family.
Casting director: Ellen Lewis
Where to watch: Disney+, Netflix
The Social Network (2010)
The Social Network won three Oscars, including for Aaron Sorkin's adapted screenplay, but it's the cast who bring its fast-paced script to life. Jesse Eisenberg embodies Mark Zuckerberg as he goes head-to-head with Andrew Garfield as Eduardo Saverin, his friend and business partner turned enemy. Rooney Mara isn't a main character, but completely dominates the opening scene and sets the tone for the rest of the film. The most bonkers thing about this casting is not that they got Justin Timberlake to play Napster founder Sean Parker, but that they made Armie Hammer play the Winklevoss twins instead of hiring actual twins.
Casting directors: Meagan Lewis, Laray Mayfield
Where to watch: Stan
Knives Out (2019)
If the Oscar for Best Casting was around in 2020, Knives Out deserved to win for the fact this star-studded ensemble seemed like they were having the time of their lives in this murder mystery comedy. You have Daniel Craig swapping 007 for the self-styled "gentleman sleuth" Benoit Blanc, whose accent is one of the many, many highlights of the film. The cast is absolutely stacked, with Australians Toni Colette and Katherine Langford joined by Jamie Lee Curtis, Ana de Armas, Christopher Plummer, Chris Evans and more.
Casting director: Mary Vernieu
Where to watch: Stan, Binge
Everything Everywhere All at Once (2022)
Everything Everywhere All at Once completely swept last year's Academy Awards when it won seven Oscars, becoming the most-award Best Picture since Slumdog Millionaire back in 2008. Some might argue there's no need for us to say it deserves another Oscar, especially since Michelle Yeoh, Ke Huy Quan and Jamie Lee Curtis all won for their performances. But I'll do anything to see Stephanie Hsu get her flowers. Family is a huge theme of the film, and the chemistry between this ensemble is an act of alchemy.
Casting director: Sarah Finn
Where to watch: Stan
Barbie (2023)
Before you get up in arms about Barbie absolutely not being snubbed because how can eight Academy Award nominations be considered a robbery, let me say this: Ryan Gosling got a wave of hate when he was cast as Ken, and now he's been nominated for Best Supporting Actor. Believe in casting directors, they know what they're doing! Allison Jones and Lucy Bevan say they helped Greta Gerwig populate Barbie Land by casting actors who could walk "the fine line between comedy and sincerity".
It's a pity the Best Casting category isn't coming into place until 2026 as seeing Barbie's wider ensemble — which includes Issa Rae, Hari Nef, Simu Liu, Michael Cera, Kate McKinnon and Ncuti Gatwa — be recognised would have been sublime.
Casting directors: Allison Jones and Lucy Bevan
Where to watch: Available to rent through Apple TV, Amazon Prime and Google Play
ABC/AFP