Oscars: Adam McKay Warns Against "Weirdo Billionaires" in Acceptance Speech

The screenwriter and director won best adapted screenplay for 'The Big Short' at the Oscars on Sunday.

Director and screenwriter Adam McKay took the opportunity to warn voters of candidates who take money from questionable places, including "weirdo billionaires," during his acceptance speech.

The Big Short, which was written by McKay and Charles Randolph and based on Michael Lewis' best-seller of the same name, won best adapted screenplay at the 88th annual Academy Awards. Onstage, McKay thanked "Paramount for taking a risk on a movie that’s about financial esoterica and believing in it."

The Anchorman also director went political during his acceptance speech, spreading the message of The Big Short, a financial dramedy that warns against big banks and corrupt financial systems. McKay told viewers, "Most of all, if you don’t want big money to control government, don’t vote for candidates that take money from big banks, oil or weirdo billionaires: Stop!"

The comment was understood as a subtle jab at Hillary Clinton for her fundraising history. Clinton has reportedly taken more than $20 million from banks and financial institutions for her campaign and various speaking fees, worrying voters that she may be too close to corrupt financial institutions if elected.

As for the "weirdo billionaires," McKay could have been referring to several prominent megadonors who are known for spending lavishly on elections. Some of the most well known include industrialists Charles and David Koch, Las Vegas Sands Corp. CEO Sheldon Adelson, and Home Depot CEO Ken Langone.

When asked backstage if he was referencing a specific candidate, McKay said, "No, I did not. I really didn't. And the amazing thing about this movie has been that we've seen Bill O'Reilly and Bernie Sanders support this movie. This is a right?left movie, and we've got to stop, man."

He added: "Big money is taking over our government, and until right and left goes, no more big money. It has to be like a scarlet letter on these candidates. So I really honestly did not mean either side, but like Google it. Just Google it. You can see what the candidates have been paid, and when you elect people that get money from banks and oil and weirdo billionaires, that's who they vote for."

The Big Short beat out the scripts from Brooklyn (Nick Hornby), Carol (Phyllis Nagy), The Martian (Drew Goddard) and Room (Emma Donoghue) for best adapted screenplay on Sunday.