Will Smith’s King Richard Getting Tons Of Oscar Buzz, Even For Beyonce

We have officially turned the calendar page into September, which means Hollywood is starting to look ahead to the Oscar season. Yes, blockbusters like Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings are dominating the box office (this summer was unusual for movie releases), but the back-to-back Venice and Telluride festivals are starting to paint a picture for the pending awards races, and it sounds like Will Smith (and maybe Beyonce) will find themselves in the Oscar conversation for the tennis drama King Richard.

Essentially telling the true story of Venus and Serena Williams through the eyes of their father, Richard Williams (Will Smith), King Richard started to play for film critics and some film festival patrons and was met with immediate praise. It’s being described as a crowd pleaser, with Smith getting singled out for possible inclusion in the Best Actor Oscar discussion.