20th Century Fox sends out LOGAN screeners for Academy Awards consideration.

Deadline reports that 20th Century Fox is serious about campaigning James Mangold’s LOGAN to Academy members for the upcoming Oscar nominations. The studio was the first to send their “For Your Consideration” screeners out, ahead of anyone else. Even though the film has been out on Blu-ray and DVD for some time, them pushing the it to members this early makes a very strong statement.

“Logan” has the most potential out of any previously released X-Men universe film to take home an award. The film was rated 93% fresh on Rotten Tomatoes and received critical praise for its story, direction, acting from lead Hugh Jackman and supporting actor Patrick Stewart, including editing, cinematography, original score and sound design.

In the franchise, X-MEN: DAYS OF FUTURE PAST was the only film to be nominated for an Academy Awards in “Best Achievement in Visual Effects.” DEADPOOL garnered two Golden Globe nominations for “Best Motion Picture – Musical or Comedy” and “Best Performance by an Actor in a Motion Picture – Musical or Comedy.”

The site notes that with a March 3 release date, “it would be one of those rare titles that managed a Best Picture nomination opening so early in the year. Only Erin Brockovich in 2000 and The Grand Budapest Hotel in 2014, also both March releases, managed that feat this millennium.”

The 90th Academy Awards take place on March 4, 2018.

Photo courtesy of 20th Century Fox (via Deadline).