The Oscars are shaping up to be a superhero battle for the ages.
The Dark Knight, Iron Man, The Incredible Hulk, Hancock and Hellboy II: The Golden Army are among the 15 films making the short list for the Best Visual Effects Oscar unveiled today by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences.
While comic-book characters typically rule the day when it comes to special effects, the do-gooders will face some stiff competition from another pair of iconic heroes—Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull and the new 007 entry, Quantum of Solace.
Other popcorn flicks in the running include The Mummy: Tomb of the Dragon Emperor, Journey to the Center of the Earth, The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian, Cloverfield and The Day the Earth Stood Still. A couple of artier films round out the list: Australia and The Curious Case of Benjamin Button.
Members of the Academy's visual effects panel will screen 15-minute excerpts from each entry. Ultimately, three finalists will make the Oscar ballot, to be announced Jan. 22.
The statuettes will be handed out Feb. 22 at the 81st Academy Awards.