Final preparations are underway for the 94th Academy Awards and a long awaited return to Hollywood glamour after a muted Oscars ceremony and ratings low in 2021. 

Here’s everything you need to know about the 2022 Oscars, including who is expected to win and what the big controversies are this year.

WHEN ARE THE OSCARS?

The 2022 Oscars will be held on Sunday 27 March (local time), at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles. 

The ceremony is set to begin at 11am on Monday 28 March with live coverage in Australia on Channel 7.

WHO IS HOSTING THE 2022 OSCARS?

Regina Hall, Amy Schumer and Wanda Sykes are taking the stage to co-host the ceremony, which has been without an emcee for the past three years. 

WHO IS PRESENTING?

Show producers will continue adding names throughout the week, but at the moment stars expected to hand out awards on Oscar night include Bill Murray, Lady Gaga, Kevin Costner, Samuel L. Jackson, Zoe Kravitz, Anthony Hopkins, Lily James, Daniel Kaluuya, Mila Kunis, John Leguizamo, Simu Liu, Rami Malek, Lupita Nyong’o and Rosie Perez. 

On Wednesday, the Academy squashed one pre-show controversy by confirming West Side Story star Rachel Zegler will be a presenter, a reversal that came after several days of uproar when the actor noted on social media she did not have an Oscar invite. 

Also included as presenters are Jason Momoa, Serena and Venus Williams, J.K. Simmons, Josh Brolin, Jake Gyllenhaal, Jacob Elordi and Jill Scott. 

Other performers will be Chris Rock, Naomi Scott, Wesley Snipes, Uma Thurman, John Travolta, Yuh-jung Youn, Ruth E. Carter, Halle Bailey, Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs, Jamie Lee Curtis, Woody Harrelson, Shawn Mendes, Tyler Perry, Tracee Ellis Ross, Stephanie Beatriz, DJ Khaled, Jennifer Garner, H.E.R., Tiffany Haddish, Tony Hawk, Elliot Page, Kelly Slater and Shaun White.

WHICH MOVIES ARE NOMINATED FOR BEST PICTURE IN 2022?

The 10 movies competing for best picture this year are: Belfast; CODA; Don’t Look Up; Drive My Car; Dune; King Richard; Licorice Pizza; Nightmare Alley; The Power of the Dog; and West Side Story.

WHAT ARE THE PREDICTIONS FOR THE WINNERS ON OSCAR NIGHT?

The Power of the Dog is the presumed frontrunner for best picture and best director, for New Zealander Jane Campion, but there is also the possibility CODA will take best picture, especially after it won at the Producer’s Guild Awards. 

Either way, it would be the first time a streaming service has won best picture. 

Other likely winners include Will Smith for best actor (King Richard), Jessica Chastain for best actress (The Eyes of Tammy Faye), Troy Kotsur for best supporting actor (CODA) and Ariana DeBose for best supporting actress (West Side Story).

Nicole Kidman has been nominated for Best Actress for her role as Lucille Ball in Being The Ricardos, while fellow Aussie Kodi Smit-Phee has been nominated for Best Supporting Actor for The Power of the Dog.

WHAT ELSE CAN WE EXPECT?

Organisers have promised they will keep the 2022 Oscars broadcast to three hours.

“The show will flow, not unlike a movie, in that there will be different themes and a different feel and different energy throughout the night,” producer Will Packer said in an interview with IndieWire. 

“It will not feel or look or sound like one show for three hours. It’s taking you through the course of this cinematic journey.”

Best song nominees like Beyonce, Van Morrison and Billie Eilish are also expected to perform.

ARE THERE ANY CONTROVERSIES THIS YEAR?

The Oscars are so high profile that every year someone is upset about something, especially when changes are involved. But this year, the biggest controversy is over the decision to present some awards before the live broadcast begins and edit them into the show later.

The eight awards are for shorts (live action, animated and documentary), editing, score, hair and makeup, sound and production design. 

The decision has its defenders, but also an army of high-profile detractors, including Campion, Steven Spielberg, Chastain and Penelope Cruz.

AAP

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