Chadwick Boseman fans fume as star is ‘robbed’ of best actor Oscar

Fans of the late Chadwick Boseman were left disappointed following Sunday’s Oscars, after the star lost out on the best actor Oscar.

The Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom actor was hotly tipped to take the gong, however Sir Anthony Hopkins was a surprise winner for his role in The Father.

Sir Anthony wasn’t in attendance, at either the main ceremony at Los Angeles’ Union Station or the London hub for UK performers, so he was unable to give a speech to accept the night’s final award.

Da 5 Bloods actor Boseman died in August at the age of 43 following a private battle with colon cancer, and since then has decorated with posthumous awards including a Screen Actors Guild Award and a Golden Globe.

Boseman is the seventh actor to get a posthumous acting nomination, following the likes of Heath Ledger and James Dean who were also nominated after their deaths.

And, should he have won, he would have been the third star to win the best actor Oscar, with Ledger winning for his role in The Dark Knight and Peter Finch for his part in Network.

However as the telecast for tonight’s Oscars wound up, fuming fans took to social media to air their anger at Boseman missing out on the posthumous accolade, after having swept awards season so far.

Comedian Jo Brand shared her disappointment appearing on the Sky Cinema Oscars panel.

‘I’m really surprised,’ said Brand. ‘I know what a brilliant actor Anthony Hopkins is, but I think that Chadwick Boseman was robbed there.

‘He gave such an incredible performance in that film. I feel really disappointed in a way.’

Others shared their sadness and shock, with one dubbing it a ‘letdown’.

I’ll never be as confident as the producers of the #Oscars  were that Chadwick Boseman was gonna win.

— ur boi, PJR. (@NotPatReilly) April 26, 2021

I wouldn’t be as bothered about the Oscars thing and Chadwick if it wasn’t for the fact that they put the category last. Just doesn’t sit right with me yk.

— Kat 🌳🥦 is in love with Niall (@Katpotatooo) April 26, 2021

Chadwick Boseman should have won. I didn’t see all the nominated performances, but I saw his. #king

— H Kempley (@heidi_lu) April 26, 2021

Believe Chadwick should have won but Hopkins was superb. Well deserved winner.

— Brett “Team Kongzilla” Reviews (@BrettReview) April 26, 2021

Anthony Hopkins is magnificent in THE FATHER.

But that was also the one and only chance to give Chadwick Boseman an Oscar. Oh my

— braden shaw (@ByBradenShaw) April 26, 2021

One viewer mused on Twitter: ‘Genuinely shocked that Chadwick Boseman didn’t win. The Oscars is either is predictable or throws you for a loop. But having watched The Father, I did thoroughly enjoy Anthony Hopkins’ performance &loved The Father. I still gotta watch Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom though!’

On the best actor award being moved to last position – usually when the best picture is announced – another wrote: ‘They put Best Actor last fully expecting a standing ovation, tear in every eye moment from everyone as Chadwick Boseman’s wife accepts an award on his behalf…….

‘Instead it ends with Anthony Hopkins not even being there. YIKES!’

Still many fans took a step back and reflected on the star’s legacy, with one musing: ‘Nothing changes the fact that Boseman was one of the most brilliant actors of this era who made a tremendous impact in a short period of time & that he’ll be remembered forever. Awards don’t make or break that.’

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