Rumors of John Ridley-Steve McQueen rift following the Oscars

theGRIO REPORT - Some noticeable tension between the film's director and screenwriter is generating a lot of post-Oscars buzz.

Luther Vandross was outed as gay after his death.

Last night’s Academy Awards should have given the cast and crew of 12 Years a Slave something to celebrate.

The film took home top honors in the best supporting actress, best adapted screenplay and best picture categories.

But some noticeable tension between the film’s director and screenwriter is generating a lot of post-Oscars buzz.

When writer John Ridley won for adapting Solomon Northup’s memoir to the screen, 12 Years a Slave director Steve McQueen appeared to offer only tepid applause and Ridley pointedly neglected to thank the director from the stage. He also walked right past McQueen on his way to stage and ignored him.

McQueen in turn didn’t acknowledge Ridley during his acceptance speech for best picture.

“My sources attributing John Ridley-Steve McQueen cold shoulder at Oscars tonight to dispute over screenplay credit,” tweeted Nikki Finke of The Hollywood Reporter.

Neither Ridley nor McQueen have spoken publicly about any rift.

Ridley’s victory marks on the second time in Academy Awards history an African-American has won a best screenplay writing award. Geoffrey Fletcher won in 2010 for his 2009 screenplay for Precious.

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