For the first time in two years, the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences is rolling out the red carpet at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles on Sunday for what it hopes will be a back-to-normal Oscars.
Except for all everything that has changed.
The telecast for the 94th Academy Awards will begin, as usual, at 8pm Eastern Time on ABC. In the UAE, the ceremony will begin at 4am on March 28. OSN is the official broadcaster in the Middle East, and will stream the Oscars on its new OSN+ service, which recently replaced the OSN Streaming app.
But little else about how this year's Oscars will get under way is traditional. An hour before the broadcast begins, attendees will assemble in the Dolby for the presentation of eight awards and acceptance speeches that will be edited into a broadcast that producer Will Packer has promised will be a tight three hours.
It's one of many shifts, both slight and tectonic, around this year's ceremony. After two years of pandemic — and a socially distanced 2021 edition with record-low ratings — the Academy Awards will try to recapture their exalted place in pop culture with a revamped telecast that's expected to see a streaming service win Best Picture for the first time.
It won't be easy. The film industry recovered significantly from the pandemic in 2021, but despite one of the biggest hits in years in Spider-Man: No Way Home, the rebound has been fitful. The global movie industry sold about half the tickets last year as it did two years ago, $21.3 billion in 2021 compared to $42.3 billion in 2019, according to the Motion Picture Association. Hollywood pushed more of its top films directly into homes than ever before; half of this year's 10 Best Picture nominees were streamed at or very near release. Even the film academy shifted entirely to a streaming platform for voters, rather than DVD screeners.
Then there are the challenges of commanding worldwide attention for a night of Hollywood self-congratulation after two years of pandemic and while Russia's war ravages Ukraine. Packer has said the war in Ukraine will be respectfully acknowledged during the broadcast.
Netflix's The Power of the Dog, Jane Campion's gothic western, comes in with a leading 12 nominations and a good chance of snagging the top award. But all the momentum is with Sian Heder's deaf family drama Coda, which, despite boasting just three nods, is considered the favourite. A win would be a triumph for Apple TV+, which acquired the movie out of the Sundance Film Festival last year and has spent big promoting it to academy members.
But expect the most awards on the night to go to Dune, Denis Villeneuve's sweeping science fiction epic. It's the odds-on-favourite to clean up in the technical categories.
After several years sans-host, the Oscars will turn to the trio of Amy Schumer, Wanda Sykes and Regina Hall to emcee the broadcast, which is also streaming on platforms including Hulu Live TV, YouTubeTV and on ABC.com with provider authentication. Producers have also lined up a star-studded group of performers including Billie Eilish and Beyonce to sing nominated songs, while the Encanto cast will perform Lin-Manuel Miranda's breakout hit We Don't Talk About Bruno.
It will be a staggered start, with stars making their way into the Dolby at different times. ABC’s red carpet pre-show will run 6.30pm to 8pm, with the first hour of awards happening inside the theatre between 7pm to 8pm. News of those winners will spread first on social media and later be woven into the telecast. To accommodate the shift, the red carpet will also open an hour earlier than usual, at 4pm Eastern.
The rejigged approach, which has been deeply unpopular with some academy members, should make for some complicated red carpet logistics. The academy, wanting to give each winner an uncompromised moment, is urging attendees to be in their seats by 7pm. Some stars, such as The Eyes of Tammy Faye nominee Jessica Chastain, have said they won’t do red carpet interviews if it means missing the presentation of awards like best hair and makeup, for which the artists of Tammy Faye are nominated.
Scroll through the gallery below to see Jessica Chastain's style evolution:
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Jessica Chastain, in jeans and a yellow hoodie, at an evening hosted by the Creative Coalition in Los Angeles on May 3, 2006. WireImage -
Michael Urie and Jessica Chastain, in a black cocktail dress, attend the Screen Actors Guild Awards on January 28, 2007. WireImage -
Jessica Chastain, wearing a black dress, arrives at the HFPA Salute To Young Hollywood Party held at Nobu on December 17, 2008 in Los Angeles. Getty Images -
Jessica Chastain, in a black floral dress, arrives at the Los Angeles premiere of 'Somewhere' on December 7, 2010 in Hollywood, California. FilmMagic -
Jessica Chastain, in a grey and black striped dress, attends the 'Coriolanus' photocall during the 61st Berlin International Film Festival on February 14, 2011. Getty Images -
Jessica Chastain, in a burgundy gown, attends the 'Coriolanus' premiere during the 61st Berlin International Film Festival at Berlinale Palace on February 14, 2011. Getty Images -
Jessica Chastain, in a red Calvin Klein halter-necked dress, at the 64th Annual Cannes Film Festival on May 12, 2011. Getty Images -
Jessica Chastain, in a yellow Zac Posen gown, with Sean Penn and Brad Pitt, attends 'The Tree Of Life' premiere during the 64th Annual Cannes Film Festival at Palais des Festivals on May 16, 2011. Getty Images -
Jessica Chastain, in a black Gucci gown with gold detailling, attends the 2011 Gucci Award For Women In Cinema at Hotel Cipriani on September 2, 2011 in Venice, Italy. Getty Images -
Jessica Chastain, in a red dress, attends the 'Wild Salome' photocall during the 68th Venice Film Festival at Palazzo del Cinema on September 4, 2011. Getty Images -
Jessica Chastain, in a cream lace Elie Saab gown, attends the 'Wilde Salome' premiere during the Venice Film Festival at Palazzo del Cinema on September 4, 2011. Getty Images -
Jessica Chastain, in a gold strapless dress, at the UK premiere of 'The Debt' at The Curzon Mayfair on September 21, 2011 in London. Getty Images -
Jessica Chastain, in a green Issa dress, attends the 'When The Night' premiere at the Marrakech International Film Festival 2011 on December 6, 2011. Getty Images -
Jessica Chastain, in a baby pink Louis Vuitton dress, attends the 'Another Happy Day' premiere during Marrakech International Film Festival 2011 on December 7, 2011. Getty Images -
Jessica Chastain, in a black long-sleeved dress with an orange collar, attends the Giorgio Armani Prive haute-couture spring/summer 2012 show during Paris Fashion Week on January 24, 2012. Getty Images -
Jessica Chastain, in a belted red dress, attends the Bafta Nominees Party at Asprey London on February 11, 2012. Getty Images -
Jessica Chastain, in a silver Oscar de la Renta gown, attends the Bafta after party in London on February 12, 2012. EPA -
Jessica Chastain, in a black lace peplum Alexander McQueen dress, arrives at the Elle Style Awards 2012 at The Savoy Hotel, London on February 13, 2012. Getty Images -
Jessica Chastain, in an embellished black and gold Alexander McQueen gown, arrives for the 84th annual Academy Awards on February 26, 2012. EPA -
Jessica Chastain, in a white strapless Armani Prive gown, at the Haiti: Carnival in Cannes benefit in France on May 18, 2012. EPA -
Jessica Chastain, in a gold Gucci gown, attends the 'Lawless' premiere during the 65th Annual Cannes Film Festival on May 19, 2012. Getty Images -
Jessica Chastain, in a monochrome polka dot dress and blazer, arrives at the Saint Laurent spring/summer 2013 show during Paris Fashion Week on October 1, 2012. Getty Images -
Jessica Chastain, in a blue one-shouldered Roland Mouret gown, attends the EE British Academy Film Awards at The Royal Opera House on February 10, 2013 in London. Getty Images -
Jessica Chastain, in a rose gold strapless Armani Prive gown, arrives on the red carpet for the 85th Academy Awards in Hollywood, California on February 24, 2013. EPA -
Jessica Chastain, in a black jumpsuit, attends the Viktor&Rolf autumn/winter 2013 show on March 2, 2013 in Paris. Getty Images -
Jessica Chastain, in a red dress, attends the Saint Laurent autumn/winter 2013 show on March 4, 2013 in Paris. Getty Images -
Jessica Chastain, in a black and white design by Chanel, attends the fashion houses's autumn/winter 2013 show on March 5, 2013 in Paris. Getty Images -
Jessica Chastain, in a white Versace Collection gown, attends the 'Cleopatra' premiere during the 66th Annual Cannes Film Festival on May 21, 2013. Getty Images -
Jessica Chastain, in a purple jewelled Givenchy gown, attends the 'All is Lost' premiere during the 66th Annual Cannes Film Festival on May 22, 2013. Getty Images -
Jessica Chastain, in a black and white checked dress, attends a Fondazione Nicola Trussardi cocktail party on May 30, 2013 in Venice. Getty Images -
Jessica Chastain, in a black Gucci dress with lace pannelling, arrives at the Chime For Change: The Sound of Change Live concert at Twickenham Stadium, London on June 1, 2013. Getty Images -
Jessica Chastain, in a yellow and green Dolce & Gabbana dress with a lemon print, attends a 'The Disappearance of Eleanor Rigby' reception during the 67th Cannes Film Festival on May 17, 2014. Getty Images -
Jessica Chastain, in a blue one-shouldered Atelier Versace gown, attends the 'The Disappearance Of Eleanor Rigby' premiere at the 67th Annual Cannes Film Festival on May 17, 2014. Getty Images -
Jessica Chastain, in a lilac one-shouldered Elie Saab gown, attends the 'Foxcatcher' premiere during the 67th Annual Cannes Film Festival on May 19, 2014. Getty Images -
Jessica Chastain, in a black strapless Givenchy gown, attends amfAR's 21st Cinema Against Aids Gala on May 22, 2014 in Cap d'Antibes, France. Getty Images -
Jessica Chastain, in a pink floral strapless Oscar de la Renta dress, arrives at the opening ceremony of 40th Deauville American Film Festival on September 5, 2014 in France. Getty Images -
Jessica Chastain, in a light yellow Erdem gown with a plunging neckline, attends a screening of 'Wilde Salome' at BFI Southbank on September 21, 2014 in London. Getty Images -
Jessica Chastain, in a crimson lace dress, attends a photocall for 'The Disappearance of Eleanor Rigby' crew during the 62nd San Sebastian International Film Festival on September 23, 2014 in Spain. Getty Images -
Jessica Chastain, in a peach Saint Laurent gown with metallic detailing, attends the 'Interstellar' premiere on October 29, 2014 in London. Getty Images -
Jessica Chastain, in a blue satin Prada gown, attends the 2016 Met Gala at Metropolitan Museum of Art on May 2, 2016 in New York City. WireImage -
Salma Hayek and Jessica Chastain, in a green Christian Dior shirt dress, attend the Women in Motion Awards Dinner at the 70th Cannes Film Festival at Place de la Castre on May 21, 2017. Getty Images -
Jessica Chastain, in a red and white Zuhair Murad dress, attends the 70th annual Cannes Film Festival closing ceremony at Palais des Festivals on May 28, 2017. Getty Images -
Jessica Chastain, in a red Alexander McQueen gown, arrives for the 9th Annual Governor's Awards at the Ray Dolby Ballroom in Hollywood on November 11, 2017. EPA -
Jessica Chastain, in a black one-shouldered Armani Prive gown, at the Golden Globes in Hollywood on January 8, 2018. EPA -
Jessica Chastain, in a floaty yellow Ralph Lauren sheer-strapped dress, attends the Ralph Lauren show during New York Fashion Week on September 7, 2018. AFP -
Jessica Chastain, in a green off-shoulder Zuhair Murad gown, arrives at the 'It Chapter Two' premiere on August 26, 2019 in Westwood, California. AFP -
Jessica Chastain, wearing a black laser-cut Elie Saab gown, attends the 'It Chapter Two' premiere in London on September 2, 2019. Getty Images -
Jessica Chastain, in a white Zuhair Murad dress with metallic detailing, attends the 69th San Sebastian Film Festival in Spain on September 23, 2021. AP -
Jessica Chastain, in a black backless Miu Miu gown, attends the 'The Eyes of Tammy Faye' premiere during 69th San Sebastian Film Festival on September 24, 2021. Getty Images -
Jessica Chastain, in a black halterneck Stella McCartney dress, attends a screening of 'Scenes from a Marriage' at the Museum of Modern Art in New York on October 10, 2021. AP Photo -
Jessica Chastain, in a blue skirt and blazer by Gucci with a bandeau top, attends a photocall for 'The Eyes Of Tammie Fay' during the 16th Rome Film Fest 2021 on October 14, 2021. Getty Images -
Jessica Chastain, in a blue and red Gucci dress, attends the 'The Eyes Of Tammy Faye' premiere during the 16th Rome Film Fest 2021 on October 14, 2021. Getty Images -
Jessica Chastain, in a silver silk jacquard Dior suit, attends the 28th Screen Actors Guild Awards at the Barker Hangar in Santa Monica, California on February 27, 2022. EPA -
Jessica Chastain, in a black Gucci dress with a plunging neckline, arrives at the 94th Academy Awards nominees luncheon on March 7, 2022, in Los Angeles. AP -
Rita Moreno and Jessica Chastain, wearing a black column Miu Miu dress, appear backstage at the 33rd Annual Producers Guild Awards on March 19, 2022 in Los Angeles. AP Images -
Jessica Chastain, in a black sequinned Ralph Lauren jumpsuit, attends the brand's autumn 2022 fashion show at the Museum of Modern Art, New York City on March 22, 2022. AFP -
Jessica Chastain, in lilac and gold Gucci, attends the 94th Annual Academy Awards on March 27, 2022 in Hollywood, California. AFP
That’s one of the eight pre-show categories to be handed out during what producers are calling the “golden hour”. The others are: film editing, sound, original score, production design, live-action short, animated short and documentary short.
Earlier this month, more than 70 Oscar winners, including James Cameron, Kathleen Kennedy and Guillermo del Toro, warned that the change would turn some nominees into “second-class citizens”.
Behind the change is alarm over the Oscars fast-falling ratings. While drops have been common to all major network award shows, last year’s show attracted only about 10 million viewers, less than half of the 23.6 million the year before. A decade ago, it was closer to 40 million.
To help restore the Oscars’ position, some argued in the lead-up to this year’s awards that a blockbuster like Spider-Man: No Way Home should have been nominated for Best Picture. It’s up for just visual effects.
Instead, a wide gamut of films are in the hunt, ranging from the much-watched Netflix apocalyptic comedy Don't Look Up and the roundly acclaimed three-hour Japanese drama Drive My Car.
One thing producers have promised: the night's final award will be best picture. Last year's show concluded awkwardly with the unexpected presentation of best actor to a not-present Anthony Hopkins.
Oscar nominees attend star-studded luncheon to celebrate 'year like no other' — in pictures:
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British filmmaker Kenneth Branagh and wife, Lindsay Brunnock, attend the 94th Annual Oscars Nominees Luncheon at the Fairmont Century Plaza in Los Angeles on March 7, 2022. AFP -
US actress Kristen Stewart arrives at the 94th Annual Oscars Nominees Luncheon. EPA -
US actress Jessica Chastain. AFP -
US actor and director Bradley Cooper. AFP -
British actor Andrew Garfield. AFP -
US singer-songwriter Billie Eilish. AFP -
British actor Benedict Cumberbatch. AFP -
US actor Will Smith. Reuters -
Actors Javier Bardem and Penelope Cruz. Reuters -
US actresses Ariana DeBose, left, and Paloma Garcia-Lee. AFP -
US actor JK Simmons. AFP -
US actor and singer Lin-Manuel Miranda. AFP -
US actress and filmmaker Maggie Gyllenhaal, left, and her husband, US actor Peter Sarsgaard. AFP -
US actress Aunjanue Ellis. AFP -
US actor Denzel Washington. AFP -
US director Steven Spielberg. AFP -
British actress Emilia Jones. AFP -
American actress Ariana DeBose. AFP
