Ava DuVernay’s ‘Origin’ Deemed an Original Screenplay by WGA, Will Not Campaign Adapted for Oscars
variety.comClayton Davis Senior Awards Editor Ava DuVernay‘s moving drama “Origin,” which tells the story of author Isabel Wilkerson’s journey to write her famous nonfiction novel “Caste: The Origins of Our Discontent,” is the latest film to be making the switch from an adapted screenplay run, to original.
Deemed an original screenplay by the Writers Guild of America, the announcement comes after Variety reported “Barbie” from Greta Gerwig and Noah Baumbach and “The Bikeriders” by Jeff Nichols, were also deemed original by the WGA.
In addition to the aforementioned films, DuVernay’s script will also compete for one of the five coveted Oscar slots against other top-tier contenders such as “The Holdovers” from David Hemingson and “Past Lives” from Celine Song. “Origin” boasts an all-star cast including Oscar nominee Aunjanue Ellis-Taylor (“King Richard”), Jon Bernthal and Niecy Nash-Betts.
The original designation will stick for the crucial WGA Awards precursors in January, but when it comes to the Academy, the Writer’s Branch committee has the authority to move it elsewhere.
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