The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences has sent out a record number of invitations to a diverse mix of filmmakers, actors and actresses to become its newest Oscar members. Some of the stars on the list include "Star Wars: The Force Awakens" actor John Boyega, British star Idris Elba and more.
The Oscar Awards giving body has issued the invitation to 683 people on Wednesday, June 29, to become its new members, according to Deadline. The list is comprised of a careful mix of race and gender. This is following the criticisms that the Academy received that claimed that the Oscars was too white.
The 683 issued invitations this year is said to be almost double the number of invites issued in 2015. Of the 683, around 46 percent of the invitees are women while 41 percent represent people of color. Apart from Boyega and Elba, "The Notebook" actress Rachel McAdams has also been issued an invitation, along with Patty Jenkins, director of the upcoming "Wonder Woman" film. Lana and Lilly Wachowski were also included in the list, as well as Michael B. Jordan, "Black Panther" actor Chadwick Boseman and James Hong.
Academy President Cheryl Boone Isaacs stated that they have set a goal of increasing the diversity among Oscar members, Variety reported. She shared a four-year target timeline to achieve the Academy's goal to address Oscar diversity. Boone Isaacs also commented that they hope to encourage the next generation of movie makers and stars to join the Academy.
The Academy has been on fire with claims that its members were mostly male dominated and does not represent a good mix of race and ethnicity. Earlier this year, the #OscarsSoWhite was again brought to life. The issue was first raised in January 2015. Boone Isaacs mentioned that they have been evaluating the Oscar Awards giving body and discovered the organization's need for change. The Academy executive stated that "inclusion" would be one of the changes and the new list of potential Oscar members served as the first step to that transformation.
Meanwhile, watch Chris Rock's opening monologue during the 2016 Oscar Awards where he joked about the diversity issue.