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The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences has announced that Hurt Locker producer Nicolas Chartier has "violated Academy rules against campaigning directly to voters and disparaging the competition." For that reason, he has been banned from Sunday's Oscar ceremony at the Kodak Theater.

Here is the Feb. 19th email that got Chartier in hot water. Oscar rules state that nominees shall not campaign against their competitors and the Hurt Locker producer's less-than-covert mention of Avatar here, is what got him un-invited:

    "If everyone tells one or two of their friends, we will win and not a $500 million film ... We need independent movies to win like the movies you and I do, so if you believe 'The Hurt Locker' is the best movie of 2010, help us!"


Chartier then sent a follow-up email apologizing for the ethical lapse saying his email was "out of line and not in the spirit of the celebration of cinema." He admitted his error, saying, "I was even more wrong, both personally and professionally, to ask for your help in encouraging others to vote for the film and to comment on another movie."

So if The Hurt Locker wins, don't think that the Oscar-nominated producer won't get his golden statue. AMPAS says if this happens, he will definitely receive his Oscar ... just not at the theater. But do you think Chartier's done permanent damage? Will the Academy snub the film after all this controversy?