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Idris Elba, John Boyega and Michael B. Jordan join the Academy

Los Angeles - Idris Elba, John Boyega and Michael B. Jordan are among the 683 new Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences members. 

The Academy has also invited stars including Brie Larson, Kate Beckinsale, Alicia Vikander and Emma Watson to join its ranks as it seeks to address its diversity issues. 

The new class is 46 per cent female and 41 per cent people of colour and includes 28 Oscar winners, 98 nominees and 283 international members, representing 59 countries.

Overall, with its new members, the Academy is now 27 per cent female and 11 per cent people of colour, following on from criticism over its lack of diversity in recent years. 

In 2016 in particular, the #OscarsSoWhite controversy was widespread after the awards had all-white acting nominees for the second year in a row. 

Cheryl Boone Isaacs, Academy president, said: "We're proud to welcome these new members to the Academy, and know they view this as an opportunity and not just an invitation, a mission and not just a membership. 

"This class continues our long-term commitment to welcoming extraordinary talent reflective of those working in film today. We encourage the larger creative community to open its doors wider, and create opportunities for anyone interested in working in this incredible and storied industry."

A number of stars including Will Smith's wife Jada Pinkett-Smith boycotted the 2016 Oscars due to its lack of diversity but host Chris Rock poked fun at the pair during the ceremony.

He said: "Jada got mad, she said she's not coming. Doesn't she have a TV show? Jada boycotting the Oscars is like me boycotting Rihanna's panties - I wasn't invited!

"You get mad that Will was this good and didn't get nominated (for his role in Concussion). It's also not fair that Will was paid $20m to do Wild Wild West.'"


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