James Bond Franchise To Get Oscars Tribute

Still going strong after a half century, the James Bond franchise is the longest running movie series ever. Unfortunately, it has never generated that much love with Academy Award voters. But the folks behind the Oscars are looking to perhaps make up for that a bit when they present a tribute to the franchise at this year’s Academy Awards telecast on February 24th.

 There’s no word yet as to what form the tribute will take, but if it is a big dance number set to a medley of Bond title themes, I think I would rather they not even bother.

Previously, only two Bond entries have earned Oscars – Goldfinger (1964) and Thunderball (1965), both of which won for Best Visual Effects.

Interestingly, with the inclusion of last year’s Skyfall on the list of nominees for this year’s Producers Guild Awards, there has been some speculation that the film may also be on the list of nominees for the Best Picture Oscar when they are announced next week. Within the last few weeks, Skyfall has become the first Bond franchise installment to pass the $1 billion mark at the box office.

Here is the official Academy press release –

BEVERLY HILLS, CA – The 85th Academy Awards® will include a tribute to the James Bond movie franchise, which is celebrating its 50th Anniversary this year, the telecast’s producers announced today.

“We are very happy to include a special sequence on our show saluting the Bond films on their 50th birthday,” said producers Craig Zadan and Neil Meron. “Starting with ‘Dr. No’ back in 1962, the 007 movies have become the longest-running motion picture franchise in history and a beloved global phenomenon.”

The 85th Academy Awards nominations will be announced live on Thursday, January 10, 2013, at 5:30 a.m. PT in the Academy’s Samuel Goldwyn Theater.

Academy Awards for outstanding film achievements of 2012 will be presented on Oscar® Sunday, February 24, 2013, at the Dolby Theatre™ at Hollywood & Highland Center®, and televised live on the ABC Television Network. The Oscar presentation also will be televised live in more than 225 countries worldwide.