NEW YORK (AP) — Final preparations are underway for the 94th Academy Awards and the long-awaited return to Hollywood's glamorous normality after last year's dull and little-seen ceremony. Here's everything you need to know about the 2022 Oscars, including where to watch the show, who is expected to win and what the big controversies are this year.
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WHEN ARE THE OSCARS?
The Oscars will be held on Sunday, March 27 at the Dolby Theater in Los Angeles. The ceremony will begin at 8 p.m. in New York (0000 GMT) and will be broadcast live on ABC.
WHO WILL LEAD THE CEREMONY?
Regina Hall, Amy Schumer and Wanda Sykes will host the gala, which has not had a master of ceremonies for the past three years. Producer Will Packer said that each of the actresses will bring something different to the show.
WHO WILL PRESENT AWARDS?
The show's producers will continue to add names throughout the week, but at this time the stars giving awards on Oscar night are expected to include Lady Gaga, Kevin Costner, Samuel L. Jackson, Zoë Kravitz, Anthony Hopkins, Lily James, Daniel Kaluuya, Mila Kunis, John Leguizamo, Simu Liu, Rami Malek, Luke Nyong'o pita, Rosie Perez, Chris Rock, Naomi Scott, Wesley Snipes, Uma Thurman, John Travolta, Yuh-jung Youn, Ruth E. Carter, Halle Bailey, Sean “Diddy” Combs, Jamie Lee Curtis, Woody Harrelson, Shawn Mendes, Tyler Perry and Tracee Ellis Ross.
WHO ARE THE CANDIDATES FOR BEST FILM?
The 10 productions competing for the Oscar for Best Film this year are: “Belfast”, “CODA”, “Don't Look Up” (“Don't Look Up”), “Drive My Car”, “Dune” (“Dune”), “King Richard” (“King Richard: A Winning Family”), “Licorice Pizza”, “Nightmare Alley” (“The Alley of lost souls”), “The Power of the Dog” (“The Power of the Dog”) and “West Side Story” (“Love without barriers”).
WHAT WERE THE MOST SURPRISING SLIGHTS?
On the morning of the nominations there were many surprises.
Some notable exclusions: Denis Villeneuve, whose “Dune” won the second most nominations (10) behind “The Power of the Dog” (12), including for best film, was not nominated for best direction.
The best actress category was especially brutal this year, leaving out Lady Gaga for “House of Gucci” (“The Gucci House”), Jennifer Hudson for “Respect” (“Respect: Aretha Franklin's Story”), Caitriona Balfe for “Belfast” and Renate Reinsve for “The Worst Person in the World”.
WHAT ARE THE PREDICTIONS FOR THE WINNERS?
“The Power of the Dog” is the alleged favorite for best film and direction, by Jane Campion, but there is also the possibility that “CODA” will win the trophy for best film. Either way, it will be the first time that a streaming service has won the jackpot. Other potential winners include Will Smith for Best Actor for “King Richard”, Jessica Chastain for Best Actress for “The Eyes of Tammy Faye” (“Tammy Faye's Eyes”), Troy Kotsur as Best Supporting Actor for “CODA” and Ariana DeBose as Best Supporting Actress for “West Side Story”.
WHAT ELSE CAN WE EXPECT FROM THE OSCARS?
The organizers promised that they will keep the broadcast in three hours and Packer, whose films include popular titles such as “Girls Trip” (“Girls Trip”), wants to make it as entertaining as possible while still honoring nominees and winners.
“The show will flow like a movie in the sense that there will be different themes and a different feeling and energy throughout the night,” Packer said in an interview with IndieWire. “It won't feel, look, or sound like a show for three hours. It will take you on a cinematic journey.”
Best Song Nominees such as Beyoncé, Van Morrison and Billie Eilish are also in talks to act.
ANY CONTROVERSY THIS YEAR?
The Oscars have such a high profile, that every year someone gets upset about something, especially when it comes to change. This time, the biggest controversy is about the decision to hand out eight awards before the live broadcast begins and to present them in short segments edited later on the show.
The eight awards are: short film, animated short film and documentary short film, editing, original music, makeup and hairstyle, sound, and production design.
The decision has its defenders, but also an army of prominent detractors such as Campion, Villeneuve, Steven Spielberg, Chastain and Penelope Cruz.