Last week it was reported that the Academy had not reached out to Allison Janney or her 2018 Oscar-winning peers—Frances McDormand, Gary Oldman, and Sam Rockwell—to present the acting categories later this month because the organization was searching for bigger stars to boost ratings for the hostless ceremony. The report was a sad one—not just for Oscar viewers who enjoy seeing the previous year’s winners present Oscars to a new generation, but reportedly to Janney herself. But on Wednesday, after yet another Internet outcry about an unpopular decision to shake up this year’s ceremony (See: Academy Reverses Best-Original-Song Oscar Plans After Backlash), the Academy confirmed that Janney, McDormand, Oldman, and Rockwell will present Oscars after all.
“Last year, Allison Janney, Frances McDormand, Gary Oldman, and Sam Rockwell had their names read from an envelope and they took home Oscar gold,” the Academy tweeted Wednesday. “This year, they’ll help make more dreams come true. We’re thrilled to announce they’ll be presenters at this year’s show.”
The Hollywood Reporter adds that there is a catch, though—the winners will be paired to present: Oldman and Janney will appear onstage together, with Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri co-stars McDormand and Rockwell reuniting to present a separate category.
Though this year’s Oscar ceremony has been clouded with controversy, ABC Entertainment’s new president, Karey Burke, has found a silver lining to all this chatter about the February 24 telecast, which will air on her network. “I have found the lack of clarity has kept the Oscars in the conversation,” Burke said. “It’s evidence of how relevant the Oscars still are, that people are talking about and caring about these things.”
— Our critic on why movies are still magic
— Alan Alda just wants to have a good conversation
— Former Trump Zelig Hope Hicks begins her second act on the West Coast
— See an exclusive preview of Quentin Tarantino’s ninth film
— Your passport to Vanity Fair’s 25th Hollywood Issue with Saoirse Ronan, Timothée Chalamet, Chadwick Boseman, and more
Looking for more? Sign up for our daily Hollywood newsletter and never miss a story.
