The ‘Barbie’ movie is being considered for adapted screenplay. Here’s what that means

‘Barbie’ is eligible for the adapted screenplay category at the Oscars instead of original screenplay. What’s the difference?

What exactly is an adapted screenplay? Is it based on a book? An experience? What about an eponymous doll with a penchant for pink? These are the big questions the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences has sparked as the “Barbie” movie angles for awards season. The blockbuster film, which broke records upon its debut last summer, had been campaigning for the best original screenplay category at the upcoming Oscars, according to Variety. But ahead of Oscar voting, which begins Jan. 11, the writers branch of AMPAS ruled that the film is actually eligible for best adapted screenplay under the organization’s guidelines because because it is based on existing characters and credits Mattel in its billing. Here’s what an adapted screenplay is, and why this distinction could be significant. There are two Academy Awards categories for screenwriting: Best Adapted Screenplay and Best Original Screenplay. The latter is for purely new works created by the writers, based on no source material other than their imagination. The former, the adapted screenplay, is different. This category is for films based on some sort of preexisting work – whether that be a play, a book, or even a sequel (for example, “Toy Story 3,” which was nominated in the category in 2011).