Christopher Nolan's new Batman movie 'The Dark Knight' is being hotly tipped for a Best Picture or Director gong, despite the fact that no superhero movie has ever won an Oscar.
Nolan has also never been in the running for a best director Oscar, despite 2010's 'Inception' being one of the favourites for Best Picture at 2011's ceremony.
Superhero films haven't tended to have a chance at the Academy Awards as voters usually opt for emotional dramatic affairs. Recent winners include 'The King's Speech' and 'The Artist'.
The rules for the Best Picture category were changed after 2009 to admit 10 nominees after Nolan's previous effort 'The Dark Knight' received a snub that many saw as totally unjustified.
According to Fox News Christopher Nolan said: "Look, the idea, the fact that people have talked about `The Dark Knight' as being a key reason why the academy changed their rules and expanded the field is just a huge honor for the film, in a weird way."
Mr Nolan must fancy his chances then now that the rules are kinder to his type of movie.
Catwoman Anne Hathaway was bullish, perhaps even a little cocky about the film's prospects, saying: "I'm not saying this as a cast member. I'm saying this as a member of the academy. So far, it's the best film I've seen all year."
With so many of Hollywood's finest appearing in the film, it will surely have no shortage of influential backers.
PHOTOS: Artwork for 'The Dark Knight Rises'
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