Legendary actor Al Pacino found himself at the center of a mix-up at the Academy Awards on Sunday night, when he announced “Oppenheimer” as the best picture winner in an awkward and abrupt manner. In a statement released on Monday, Pacino sought to explain the unusual presentation, revealing that the producers had made the decision for him not to read the full list of nominees.
“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,” Pacino said in the statement. “I was honored to be a part of the evening and chose to follow the way they wished for this award to be presented.”
Instead of the usual suspenseful buildup to the best picture announcement, Pacino skipped the customary “And the Oscar goes to” and simply declared “And my eyes see ‘Oppenheimer.’” This led to a moment of uncertainty before the cast and crew of the film realized they had won and took the stage.
The unconventional delivery sparked online chatter and memes on social media, with viewers comparing it to past award show mishaps. However, one of the show’s producers, Molly McNearney, explained that the fast-paced presentation was intentional to prevent the telecast from running over its allotted time.
Despite the confusion, Bill Kramer, the chief executive of the academy, praised Pacino’s performance, stating that “everything went beautifully” and that the actor was simply “having fun up there.”
In his statement, Pacino expressed empathy for filmmakers, actors, and producers who may have felt slighted by the unconventional announcement, emphasizing the importance of recognizing their achievements.
As the dust settles on the unexpected moment at the Oscars, Al Pacino’s explanation sheds light on the behind-the-scenes decisions that led to the memorable mix-up on Hollywood’s biggest night.
