Oscar Visual Effects Finalists: 'The Avengers,' 'The Dark Knight Rises,' Among Possible Nominees; 'The Hunger Games' Snubbed

"The Hunger Games" was not among the 2013 VFX finalists up for an Oscar.

LOS ANGELES -- James Bond, Snow White and a whole lot of hobbits and superheroes are in the running for the visual-effects prize at the Academy Awards.
The superhero blockbusters "The Avengers," "The Dark Knight Rises" and "The Amazing Spider-Man" are among 10 films that made the cut for visual-effects nominations for the Oscars on Feb. 24.
The other seven contenders announced Thursday include the Bond adventure "Skyfall," "Snow White and the Huntsman," "The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey," "Cloud Atlas," "John Carter," "Life of Pi" and "Prometheus."
Members of the academy's visual-effects branch will view 10-minute excerpts from each of the films on Jan. 3, and then pick five nominees for the Oscars.
Nominations for the 85th Oscars will be announced Jan. 10.