Metuchen Resident Receives Oscar Nomination for Original Screenplay

Robert Kaplow of Metuchen earned an Academy Award nod on Jan. 22 for best original screenplay for his film Blue Moon. This news sparked celebration throughout the New Jersey town as one of its own reached Hollywood's biggest stage.

The film snagged two Oscar nods. Ethan Hawke secured a best actor nomination for his work in the movie, helmed by director Richard Linklater.

Blue Moon brings to life one night in Broadway lyricist Lorenz Hart's story. Margaret Qualley, Bobby Cannavale, and Andrew Scott star in the picture.

Mayor Jonathan Busch shared the announcement on his Facebook page, proclaiming the town is "bursting with pride" for Kaplow.

Kaplow grew up in Jersey and finished high school at Westfield High School. He wears many hats — author, teacher, and publisher of the Metuchen Times.

His writing credits include the coming-of-age novel Me and Orson Welles, which became a feature film in 2008 with Zac Efron in the lead role. That book marked a turning point in his storytelling path.

The screenplay faces four competitors in the best original screenplay category: It Was Just an Accident, Marty Supreme, Sentimental Value, and Sinners. Each brings its own voice to the contest.

Sinners pulled in a record-breaking 16 Oscar nods this year. That puts Kaplow's script up against some of 2024's most talked-about pictures in a fierce race.

The Academy Awards ceremony arrives in the coming months. Winners across all categories will be revealed at that show.