Jay Hart, Hannah Beachler

Marvel Studios gambled on a majority Black cast for its big screen adaptation of the Black Panther comic book series. That gamble paid off when Black Panther landed in the top 5 of the biggest-grossing movies of all time. At the 91st annual Academy Awards on Sunday night, Black Panther became the first movie to win an Oscar Award for Marvel Studios.

Black Panther won 3 Oscar awards for Best Costume Design, Best Production Design and Best Score. Ruth E. Carter was first up, winning an Oscar for Best Costume Design for Black Panther.

Ruth E Carter

During her acceptance speech, Carter said, “I give this strength to all of those who come next. To keep going and never give up, and when you think it’s impossible, just remember to say this piece of advice I got from a very wise woman: ‘I did my best, and my best is good enough,'”

Hannah Beachler (pictured top with Black Panther set designer Jay Hart) became the first Black woman to be nominated and the first Black woman to win in the Best Production Design category. She was overcome with emotion while reading her acceptance speech off her cell phone.

“I stand here stronger than I was yesterday,” Beachler said. “I stand here with agency and self-worth because of [Black Panther director] Ryan Coogler, who not only made me a better designer, a better storyteller, a better person. I stand here because of this man who offered me a different perspective of life. Who offered me a safe space. Who is patient and gave me air, humanity, and brotherhood. Thank you, Ryan, I love you.”

Black Panther lost the coveted Best Picture award to Green Book.

Bohemian Rhapsody was the night’s big winner with 4 Oscar awards.

Regina King

Winning her first ever Oscar award was actress Regina King (pictured). Also, director Spike Lee picked up his first Oscar, as did singer Lady Gaga, who won Best Song for “Shallow” from A Star is Born.

Lady Gaga

Lady Gaga wore a $30 million 128-carat Tiffany & Co. yellow diamond that was last worn by icon Audrey Hepburn.

Mahershala Ali

Actor Mahershala Ali won his 2nd trophy in three years for Green Book. Ali dedicated his Oscar to his grandmother for “telling me if at first I don’t succeed, try, try again. That I could put anything I put my mind to. Always pushing me to think positively and I know I would not be here without her…”

The final Oscar tally is listed below.

Bohemian Rhapsody – 4
Black Panther – 3
Roma – 3
Green Book – 3
BlacKkKlansman – 1
The Favourite – 1
First Man – 1
Free Solo – 1
If Beale Street Could Talk – 1
Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse – 1
A Star Is Born – 1
Vice – 1

Best Picture: Green Book
Best Director: Alfonso Cuaron (Roma)
Actor in a Leading Role: Rami Malek (Bohemian Rhapsody)
Actress in a Leading Role: Olivia Colman (The Favourite)
Actor in a Supporting Role: Mahershala Ali (Green Book)
Actress in a Supporting Role: Regina King (If Beale Street Could Talk)
Original Score: Black Panther
Original Song: “Shallow” (A Star is Born)
Adapted Screenplay: Spike Lee (BlacKkKlansman,)
Original Screenplay: Green Book
 

Disappointed Black Panther fans who hoped the movie would win Best Picture took to Twitter to vent their frustration. But most were overjoyed that the movie adaptation of the comic book based on the superhero from a fictional African county won 3 trophies at all.

Photos by Matt Petit /Getty Images, Frazer Harrison/Getty Images