Los Angeles, March 26 (U.S.): James Bond didn’t receive an Academy Award nomination this year, but that doesn’t mean he won’t be a part of the ceremony.
It’s the 60th anniversary of the first 007 movie, after all, and the 50th anniversary of “The Godfather” and these milestones won’t be celebrated on Sunday at the 94th Academy Awards.
“We have some surprises about that. Wink, wink,” Will Packer, who produces the show, said Thursday.
It’s all part of this year’s dominant theme: “movie lovers unite.”
“Movies are the one thing that unites so many of us as a global community,” Packer said. “Movies make you feel something, they inspire you, they make you aspire.”
Packer was joined by hosts Regina Hall and Wanda Sykes, director Glenn Weiss, co-producer Shayla Kwan, Academy Awards production designer David Korenz and music director Adam Blackstone to preview the ceremony, which is only days away, according to the Associated Press.
Amy Schumer, the evening’s third host, was not in attendance but had a message sent by her colleagues: “Don’t worry, it’s not Covid.”
They promised the audience a night of escape and celebration, including a performance of “Encanto’s” hit “We Don’t Talk About Bruno.” The Academy said Latin music strengths Luis Fonsi and Becky G will join the film’s crew members during a performance of Lin-Manuel Miranda’s song, which climbed to number one on the Billboard charts.
Despite the success of “We Don’t Talk About Bruno,” she won’t be in contention for an Oscar on Sunday. The Spanish song “Dos Oruguitas” was nominated for Best Original Song.
And while there might not be a plan to repeat Glenn Close’s “Da Butt,” Sykes laughed because they talked about Mrs. Judi Dench “doing the worm.”
The show aims to recover from last year’s low ratings and has taken major strides to maintain its three-hour runtime, including the controversial decision to hand out eight pre-show awards and edit them live.
“We will make sure everyone has their own moments,” Packer said. “It’s about celebrating the most talented people and what they do.”
They’ll also return to the tradition of ending the night in Best Picture after last year’s audition for Best Actor ended. Although they have announced an army of high-profile presenters, from Lady Gaga to Bill Murray, they haven’t necessarily revealed who will present the Best Picture award, Packer said.
As for the hosts, Sykes said they wanted to “have a good time for everyone” but wouldn’t “kill anyone…none of us are mean souls.”
The three women will open the show together but also get solo moments to shine.
Packer said they would respectfully acknowledge the state of the world, including the pandemic and war, but he wants the evening to be first and foremost a “celebration, release, and escape for people who really need it.”
Behind the scenes, the pandemic is still high in participants’ minds, especially after reports that some have contracted COVID-19 after attending BAFTAs in London. The Academy requires all attendees to submit two negative PCR tests prior to the show. Members of the public must also be vaccinated.
“We want to make sure everyone is safe to attend the show,” said Packer, who declined to speak on whether he knew of any individual candidates with COVID-19. “We have a lot of protocols…we want to make a show that keeps everyone safe.”