Oscar 2022 preview: Five massive questions forward of Sunday’s awards

The Academy Awards have all the time cherished a comeback story. This 12 months, the Oscars are trying to star in a single, too. On Sunday, the Academy Awards will attempt to bounce again from a 2021 ceremony that was affected by pandemic restrictions, a botched ending and record-low rankings. The 94th Academy Awards will return to their common dwelling, Los Angeles’ Dolby Theatre, and be broadcast stay on ABC starting at 8 p.m. EDT. (It’s additionally doable to stream it stay on providers like Hulu Live TV, YouTubeTV and on ABC.com with supplier authentication.)

How a lot of the Oscars’ downturn must be chalked as much as COVID-19? How a lot is it the brand new regular? These are simply among the questions that hold over an Academy Awards that seems like a crossroads for considered one of America’s most enduring pop-culture establishments, and nonetheless the most-watched annual present exterior the Super Bowl.

Can the Will Packer-produced awards shrug off the pandemic, reverse years of declining rankings for community TV award exhibits and coalesce a big-tent occasion for a quick evolving film panorama? In the interminable run-up to the springtime Oscars, many within the trade have been skeptical. Which leads us to the primary of 5 questions heading into the present.

Will the Oscars’ newest makeover work?

The greatest drama heading into Sunday revolves round a broadcast that has been considerably retooled to stem the rankings slide. As if making up for a number of host-less years, this time there are three: Amy Schumer, Regina Hall and Wanda Sykes. Will their mixed star energy transfer the needle in any respect?

Facing strain from ABC, the academy may even first current eight classes — manufacturing design, enhancing, sound, rating, make-up and hairstyling, and the three brief movie awards — earlier than the telecast begins. Clips of their wins and speeches will likely be edited into the present. Critics all through the trade, although, have lined as much as decry the change. The largest union representing behind-the-scenes employees, IATSE, on Monday known as the choice detrimental to the “fundamental purpose” of the Oscars.

So what’s going to Packer do with the additional time? Beyoncé and Billie Eilish will carry out their nominated songs. An eclectic group of presenters has additionally been introduced, together with some surprising names like DJ Khaled, Tony Hawk, Sean “Diddy” Combs and Shaun White — so this might lastly be the 12 months that Judi Dench learns easy methods to carry out a “McTwist.”

Will a streamer take dwelling Best Picture?

The two favorites each hail from streaming providers, which have ever gained finest image. The lead nominee, Jane Campion’s The Power of the Dog, up for 12 awards, had lengthy been the presumed frontrunner, and presumably Netflix’s finest likelihood but to win Hollywood’s high award. But after back-to-back wins with the Screen Actors Guild and the Producers Guild, Sian Heder’s deaf household drama CODA could have the sting. The movie’s deep-pocketed backer, Apple TV+, has spent massive to push a feel-good underdog indie to the entrance of the pack. If CODA wins, will probably be the primary time since 1932′s Grand Hotel {that a} movie with fewer than 4 nominations (CODA has three) took finest image. Some predictions this 12 months have been wildly off, although, so different nominees like Kenneth Branagh’s Belfast might nonetheless pull off an upset.

This picture launched by Apple TV+ exhibits Troy Kotsur, left, and Marlee Matlin in a scene from CODA. (Apple TV+ by way of AP)

How a lot will COVID drag down the celebration?

Last 12 months’s Oscars decamped to Union Station for an intimate present with a small variety of attendees and plenty of social distancing. This 12 months, a full stage present and purple carpet is deliberate, albeit with uneven COVID-19 protocols. Attendees are required to submit two destructive assessments and proof of vaccination. Those presenting or performing don’t must be vaccinated however want latest destructive assessments. Masks will likely be within the combine, too, for attendees sitting exterior the orchestra on the Dolby and for media on the purple carpet. After quite a few attendees contracted the virus after attending the March 13 BAFTAs in London, a number of nominees have been quarantining, together with Branagh and Belfast co-star Ciarán Hinds. With an infection and hospitalization charges method down, Los Angeles County is ready to raise many virus restrictions for indoor occasions on April 1, 5 days after the Oscars.

Will Will Smith win his first Oscar?

Nominated twice earlier than for finest actor (for Ali and The Pursuit of Happyness), Will Smith seems a lock to win his first Academy Award. Smith’s efficiency as Richard Williams, father to Venus and Serena, in King Richard has remained the probably selection all through the season. And the speech by the exuberant 53-year-old star must be probably the most vigorous of the night time. A win, although, should come over some formidable competitors — together with the actor who bested Smith’s Ali efficiency 20 years in the past: Denzel Washington, a winner then for Training Day and a risk this time for The Tragedy of Macbeth.

This picture launched by Warner Bros. Pictures exhibits Will Smith in a scene from King Richard. (Warner Bros. Pictures by way of AP)

Who’s set to make historical past?

Many of the highest awards might function some main milestones. Ari Wegner, cinematographer of The Power of Dog, could turn out to be the primary girl to ever win that award. Her director, Jane Campion, can also be poised to make historical past. Campion, the primary girls ever nominated twice for finest director, is ready to turn out to be solely the third girl to win the class. It would mark the primary time the directing award has ever gone to girls in back-to-back years, after Nomadland filmmaker Chloé Zhao gained final 12 months.

This picture launched by twentieth Century Studios exhibits, from left, Ilda Mason as Luz, Ariana DeBose as Anita, and Ana Isabelle as Rosalia in West Side Story. (Niko Tavernise/twentieth Century Studios by way of AP)

Troy Kotsur of CODA is in line to be the primary deaf male actor to win an Oscar. His extensively anticipated win would make him and his CODA co-star Marlee Matlin the one deaf actors to land Academy Awards. And supporting actress, which Ariana DeBose seemingly has sewn up for her breakthrough function in Steven Spielberg’s West Side Story, might even see the primary Afro-Latina and overtly LGBTQ actor win within the class. A win for DeBose would come 60 years after Rita Moreno gained for a similar function, Anita, within the 1961 authentic. That can be the third time that two actors have gained for taking part in the identical function, following Heath Ledger and Joaquin Phoenix because the Joker, and Marlon Brando and Robert DeNiro as Vito Corleone. But we’ll have to attend and see if DeBose’s West Side Story co-star Rachel Zegler is there to cheer her on.