How Star Wars Is Forcing A Major Awards Show To Change Its Rules

It has quite literally been mere hours since Star Wars: The Force Awakens premiered for the general public, but that hasn’t stopped anyone from heaping ungodly amounts of praise on the latest adventure in the galaxy far, far away. The film has met – if not completely exceed – expectations, and is performing so well that it’s even causing a major Hollywood institution to consider altering their rules in order to make it eligible to become nominated this year’s Critics' Choice Awards Best Picture category.

THR reports that the Broadcast Film Critics Association has begun consideration as to whether or not to bend its rules somewhat and add Star Wars: The Force Awakens as the eleventh nomination for Best Picture of the year. Under normal circumstances, the BFCA would only allow for ten films to populate the field, but due to The Force Awakens’ late release in the year, it was not screened for members of the organization in time to be considered. However, having seen the film, the BFCA has decided to make a concession and allow for the film to be included as one of the potential best pictures of 2015.

In the face of such a decision, the BFCA board of directors plans to send out a poll to members of the organization on Monday to determine whether or not the film is worthy of such an exception. There’s most certainly ample evidence to support such a decision: the film currently holds a 95% "fresh" rating on Rotten Tomatoes, and has absolutely obliterated box office records at every turn. With praise pouring in from critics as well as audiences, it would seem like a no brainer to give the film its opportunity to shine, and not shut it out because of its release date.

Of course, even if The Force Awakens gets added as the eleventh nomination, that does not necessarily guarantee that it will win. 2015 has proven to be an incredibly strong year for action blockbusters of that nature. If Star Wars wants to win, it will have to beat out the likes of Mad Max: Fury Road, which is currently dominating the Critics' Choice Awards with 13 total nominations – including Best Picture. With the award show slated to air in less than a month on January 17, the organization will need to make their decision quickly if they decide to bend the rules.

For those of you who have seen Star Wars: The Force Awakens already, gives us your opinion on the matter. Does it deserve a chance to shine against the competition, or should the BFCA stick to the rules and keep the field at a total of ten nominations? Star Wars: The Force Awakens is currently in theaters.