© Scott A Garfitt/Invision/APMia Goth, from left, Robert Pattinson, Lupita Nyong’o, Tom Holland, Anne Hathaway, Matt Damon, Emma Thomas, Christopher Nolan, Zendaya, Samantha Morton, Elliot Page, Benny Safdie, and John Leguizamo pose for photographers upon arrival at the premiere of the film ‘The Odyssey’ on Monday, July 6, 2026, in London.
Christopher Nolan may have made
The Odyssey to adapt Homer, but Universal also had to make it for the Academy's confidential diversity, equity, and inclusion spreadsheet. Before the Academy will even consider a 2026 film for Best Picture,
the studio must document compliance with it's identity-based standards covering race, sex, and gender identity of the actors, crew members, interns and even executives. Nolan's cast contains many excellent performers. But under the Academy's rules, excellence alone is no longer the measure, and that changes how we should read every casting announcement coming out of Hollywood, including this one.
Start with what the rules actually say, because most moviegoers have no idea they exist. Since 2024, a film cannot compete for Best Picture unless its distributor submits a confidential Representation and Inclusion Standards Entry form, known as the
RAISE form, and demonstrates compliance with 2 of 4 standards. Standard A concerns what appears on screen. It can be satisfied if at least one lead or significant supporting actor submitted for Oscar consideration belongs to an Academy-approved list of racial and ethnic groups, or if at least 30% of secondary and minor actors come from at least two categories that include women, racial minorities, LGBTQ+ people and people with disabilities, or if the story itself centers on one of those groups. Standard B counts the crew, requiring qualifying department heads, or at least six technical workers from designated racial groups, or a 30% overall crew threshold. Standard C counts paid interns and apprentices from the designated groups. Standard D counts senior marketing and distribution executives by race, sex and sexual orientation. Of course, none of standards give a picture any credit for hiring white men - they are specifically excluded.
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