The unconventional way Al Pacino announced the best-picture winner at the 2024 Academy Awards ceremony was not his own decision, but “a choice of the producers,” the “Godfather” star clarified.
It left some viewers puzzled when the 83-year-old veteran actor casually announced the winner of the night’s top and final award without building much suspense.
He also didn’t follow the tradition of preceding the film’s title by the iconic “and the Oscar goes to.”
“Ten wonderful films were nominated, but only one will take the award for best picture,” Mr. Pacino said, without naming any of the best-picture nominees. “I have to go to the envelope for that, and I will. Here it comes.
“And my eyes see ‘Oppenheimer,’” he said after a short pause. “Yes. Yes.”
This unexpectedly fast revelation appeared to have caused some confusion in the Dolby Theatre, as it took a moment for the audience to start applauding and for the orchestra to kick in to welcome the “Oppenheimer” cast and crew onto the stage.
To set the record straight, Mr. Pacino on Monday issued a statement explaining the decision to forgoing mentioning all the nominees.
Specifically, he said all ten best-picture nominees were highlighted at some point during the ceremony, which apparently prompted the producers to no longer feel the need to mention the films again.
“There seems to be some controversy about my not mentioning every film by name last night before announcing the best-picture award,” said the seven-time Academy Award nominee who won the best actor statue in 1993.
“I just want to be clear it was not my intention to omit them, rather a choice by the producers not to have them said again since they were highlighted individually throughout the ceremony. I was honored to be a part of the evening and chose to follow the way they wished for this award to be presented.”
“I realize being nominated is a huge milestone in one’s life and to not be fully recognized is offensive and hurtful,” Mr. Pacino continued. “I saw this as someone who profoundly relates with filmmakers, actors, and producers, so I deeply empathize with those who have been slighted by this oversight and it’s why I felt it necessary to make this statement.”
In an interview with Variety, Oscars producer Molly McNearney also confirmed that it was “a creative decision” to not have Mr. Pacino name all ten best picture nominees before announcing the winner.
“By the time you get to the end of the show, you’ve seen all ten best picture clip packages,” Ms. McNearney told the entertainment magazine. “People just want to hear who wins, and they’re pretty ready for the show to be over. At least that’s what we anticipated.”
Michelle Pfeiffer Missed Reported ‘Scarface’ Reunion
Mr. Pacino was not meant to be present the biggest award of the night solo, according to reports.Although it was never formally announced, there had been speculations that the 2024 Oscar stage would be set for Mr. Pacino to reunite with his “Scarface” co-star Michelle Pfeiffer to celebrate the film’s 40th anniversary.
“Scarface,” directed by Brian De Palma, received mixed reviews from critics upon its initial release and was never nominated for any Academy Award, but has gained a cult following over the decades. In what is now considered a gangster classic, the pair starred as Antonio “Scarface” Montana, a titular villain drug lord; and Elvira Hancock, his cocaine-addicted trophy wife.
Mrs. Pfeiffer, now 65 year old, was unable to make it to Los Angeles because of “personal family reasons,” reported Deadline.
The camera did, however, cut to Robert De Niro, one of Mr. Pacino’s other notable co-stars from the “Godfather” trilogy, as he gave a standing ovation in the crowd.
“Killers of the Flower Moon,” a crime drama set during the 1920s’ Oklahoma oil boom, earned a total of 10 nominations, with Mr. De Niro nominated for best actor in a supporting role. That award went to Robert Downey Jr. for his performance in “Oppenheimer.”
