Last year's Covid-impacted Oscar ceremony was held at reduced capacity and far from its usual home of the Dolby Theater in Hollywood, and continued a recent trend of not having a primary host. This year, the producers – including Will Packer – have decided to get closer back to previous years, announcing that Amy Schumer, Wanda Sykes and Regina Hall will host.
Variety, which broke the news, could not dig up how the three will split hosting duties, but it caps a long period of figuring out what the format should be for the show, which will be back to full capacity at the Dolby and controversially, without requiring vaccine proof, though a negative Covid test on the day will be needed for entry.
Packer had reportedly been considering various ideas, including swapping out pairs of hosts each hour and talking to various names, including Jon Hamm, who has been considering the idea but dropped out of discussions this weekend.
There is also an innovation coming to the ceremony, though it might not turn out for the best: the Academy is inviting regular moviegoers to vote for their favourite film, which means you can throw your support behind any movie released in 2021 via the hashtags #OscarsFanFavorite and #Sweepstakes. You can also vote via the Academy website. There is also the chance to win a trip to next year's Oscars and a prize pack (though those are only open to US residents... Sorry, everyone else.)
So, if you think Spider-Man: No Way Home deserved more love, go for it. That sound you hear is our James Dyer paying a Russian bot farm to get Dune even more awards love. DUUUUUUNE!
The Oscars will be held on 27 March. Find the list of nominees here.