Image via Getty/Michael Buckner/Variety
Some days it feels like it’s been no less than 400 years since the most recent edition of the Academy Awards, while other days it feels like it was only yesterday. This perceived bending of time is due in large part, of course, to the fact that Will Smith’s slapping of Chris Rock during the 2022 ceremony has been discussed for 12 months straight, including in the run-up to this year’s Oscars.
Of course, the chances of any additional slapping occurring during the 2023 celebration of cinematic achievement are virtually zero. But there are plenty of more art-focused reasons to tune in this year, including the opportunity to potentially see your favorite film be honored on the global stage.
Below, we take a detailed look at what you can expect from the 2023 Oscars, starting with who’s been enlisted to emcee, another Rihanna performance, and wrapping with (let’s all take a deep breath here) a few words on the post-slap landscape.
Who's hosting?
Jimmy Kimmel, as announced back in November, will once again serve as host. This will mark the third time the comedian and late-night personality has taken on the role, following previous hosting duties for the 2017 and 2018 ceremonies.
“Being invited to host the Oscars for a third time is either a great honor or a trap. Either way, I am grateful to the Academy for asking me so quickly after everyone good said no,” Kimmel said.
Rihanna is set to perform
Following her headlining performance at the Apple Music Super Bowl Halftime Show in February, Rihanna is hitting another massive stage by bringing her Black Panther: Wakanda Forever track “Lift Me Up” to the Oscars. The track is nominated in the Best Original Song category.
Angela Bassett could make MCU history (again)
With her nomination in the Best Supporting Actress category for her performance as Queen Ramonda in Black Panther: Wakanda Forever, the consistently great Angela Bassett made history as the first person to receive such a nod in connection with a Marvel film. Likewise, she could now further make MCU history if she ends up winning. Joining Bassett among the 2023 class of Best Supporting Actress nominees are Hong Chau for The Whale, Kerry Condon for The Banshees of Inisherin, Jamie Lee Curtis for Everything Everywhere All at Once, and Stephanie Hsu for Everything Everywhere All at Once.
Jonathan Majors among those set to present awards
Viewers can expect to see a slew of stars participating in this year’s ceremony as presenters, including Creed III stars Michael B. Jordan and Jonathan Majors. The latter, as we previously reported, is fresh off turning in a truly awe-inspiring performance in the Sundance-premiered drama Magazine Dreams. Other confirmed presents include (but are not limited to) Pedro Pascal, Halle Bailey, Dwayne Johnson, Andrew Garfield, Halle Berry, Florence Pugh, Danai Gurira, Questlove, Zoe Saldaña, Donnie Yen, Elizabeth Banks, John Cho, Jessica Chastain, Samuel L. Jackson, Paul Dano, Harrison Ford, and more.
‘Top Gun’ and ‘Avatar’ sequels are up for Best Picture
Top Gun: Maverick, selected as the best movie of 2022 by Complex, and Avatar: The Way of Water are both competing in the Best Picture category this year. This is unique not only because both films are blockbusters of a truly otherworldly size, but also because both films are sequels. In fact, two sequels have never before been nominated in this category in a single year prior to the 2023 Oscars.
Who is predicted to win the most awards?
Predictions have been afoot for months now. Having said that, it’s worth noting that A24’s critical and commercial megahit Everything Everywhere All at Once is leading this year’s group of nominees with 11 total nods, including Best Picture. Does this mean it’ll win all or even most of those? Not necessarily. But it seems very unlikely it’ll go home empty-handed. Especially since the cast and team behind it have been sweeping at previous award shows this year.
How do I watch?
The ceremony itself takes place at the Dolby Theatre at Ovation Hollywood on March 12. Those at home, meanwhile, can tune in starting at 8 p.m. ET via ABC and the ABC app. Cable-free options include Hulu and YouTube TV.
That’s right. A “whole crisis team,” to quote Academy CEO Bill Kramer, has been put in place for the 2023 ceremony following last year’s arguably over-discussed slap. Kramer revealed this strategy during an interview with Time, adding that he and others behind the scenes have “run many scenarios” as part of an effort to be “prepared for anything.”