"Star Wars: The Force Awakens," the biggest release of the year, is predicted to sweep awards at the 88th Academy Awards in 2016.
Box office films hardly win Oscars or even receive nominations. However, "Star Wars" may possibly change that perception if some of the analysis and forecasts proved to be true.
According to The Hollywood Reporter, "Star Wars: The Force Awakens" is included in the lineup of 122 movies that are qualified for the original score category for the Academy Awards. It will be the fourth nomination for John Williams after the three past "Star Wars" scores nominations.
The Academy states that to be eligible for the original score, "it must be a substantial body of music that serves as original dramatic underscoring and must be written specifically for the motion picture by the submitting composer."
On the other hand, other 2015 box office films were also listed for original score category, such as "Fifty Shades of Grey" by Danny Elfman, "Furious 7" by Brian Tyler, "The Hunger Games: Mockingjay Part 2" by James Newton Howard, and "Jurassic World" by Michael Giacchino.
Two in the list were noted by Washington Post, "Mad Max: Fury Road" (composed by Tom Holkenborg) and "The Martian" (composed by Harry Gregson-Williams), as among the possible wins in the 2016 Oscars. The two box office hits earned $375.8 million and $589.1 million, respectively.
"The Martian" has already won awards for different categories and award giving bodies. The original score category would be its first Oscar nomination if it passes the screening process.
Meanwhile, the first installment of the space saga franchise, which was released in 1977 and directed by George Lucas, received several accolades including the 50th Academy Awards for Best Costume Design, Best Visual Effects, Best Film Editing, Best Sound, and also the Best Original Score.
The seven "Star Wars" film scores were composed by John Williams, including the most recent "Star Wars: The Force Awakens."
The 88th Academy Awards nominations will be announced on Jan. 14, 2016.