The 98th Academy Awards are set to deliver a worldwide celebration of cinema this Sunday, with host Conan O’Brien returning for his second consecutive year. Executive producers Raj Kapoor and Katy Mullan, along with choreographer Mandy Moore, revealed that this year’s ceremony will emphasize the international scope of nominees and performances.
Conan O’Brien Returns as Host
At a press conference, O’Brien, 62, said hosting again has kept him focused on films all year. “All the movies are so different. So many different voices went into them and I think it’s one of the best years we’ve had in memory,” he shared.
O’Brien also joked about his role opposite Rose Byrne in If I Had Legs I’d Kick You, noting that if Byrne wins Best Actress, “half that Oscar is mine.”
Global Representation on Stage
Kapoor highlighted the importance of showcasing films that resonate worldwide. He pointed to KPop Demon Hunters, nominated for Best Animated Film, as a cultural milestone. Moore is preparing Korean-inspired choreography for the performance of “Golden,” the Oscar-nominated song from the film.
Mullan teased a special tribute to Sinners, which earned 16 nominations and has become a global phenomenon. “There’s going to be a really special moment that pays tribute to how important that film has been this year,” she said.
Balancing Humor and Relevance
O’Brien is working with writers Mike Sweeney and Jeff Ross to ensure his jokes resonate with an international audience. He acknowledged the challenge of staying topical in a fast-paced world, noting that material written months ago may no longer be relevant.
Reflecting on past hosts, O’Brien recalled Johnny Carson’s improvised joke during the 1980 Oscars referencing the Iran hostage crisis. “It was such a funny topical joke that touched on something everyone was thinking about and at the same time got a big laugh,” O’Brien said.
Keeping the Show Moving
Beyond humor, O’Brien emphasized his role in maintaining the ceremony’s pace. “It’s not that different from making a room full of people laugh when I’m a guest at a wedding or working on the Groundlings stage when I was starting out,” he explained. “You just gotta let it go and let my natural low self-esteem take over.”
With global performances, tributes to landmark films, and O’Brien’s comedic touch, the 98th Academy Awards promise to be a celebration of cinema that resonates far beyond Hollywood.
