During the 2024 Oscars, “Spider-Verse” star Shameik Moore stirred controversy on X (formerly Twitter) with his initial reaction to “Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse” losing the Academy Award for Best Animated Feature to Hayao Miyazaki’s “The Boy and the Heron.” Moore, who voices Miles Morales in the animated franchise, posted a one-word reaction: “Robbed.” This sparked criticism from fans, who pointed out Miyazaki’s reputation as a master of animation and the quality of his film.
However, Moore quickly followed up with a more reflective response, acknowledging his disappointment as a sore loser but also recognizing the impact of “Spider-Verse.” “Respect to the winner,” he stated. “It’s true, I’m definitely a sore loser, but we didn’t lose, ‘Spider-Verse’ has impacted A LOT of lives.” He then teased the upcoming conclusion to the trilogy, “Spider-Man: Beyond the Spider-Verse,” indicating that the journey is far from over.
One follower highlighted “Spider-Verse” co-writer and producer Chris Miller’s gracious response to the loss. Miller had posted, “Well, if you’re gonna lose, might as well lose to the GOAT.” Moore acknowledged Miller’s professionalism, stating, “The whole ‘Spider-Verse’ team are such good sports.” He expressed excitement for the future and asked for forgiveness, acknowledging his competitive nature.
While the “Spider-Verse” sequel was considered a frontrunner, Miyazaki’s film was always a strong contender, having won critics’ prizes and other awards. With this win, Miyazaki now has two Academy Awards for Best Animated Feature, further solidifying his legacy in animation at the age of 83.
Moore’s journey from disappointment to reflection serves as a reminder of the highs and lows of awards season, as well as the importance of sportsmanship and gratitude in the face of defeat.