The final time we tried to foretell the surprising issues that would occur on the Academy Awards, we in fact didn’t predict essentially the most really surprising Oscar second of the century. (And that doesn’t even embody what you didn’t see on TV.) However that’s no motive to not strive once more! On the 2023 Oscars, we’re looking for some record-breaking wins, splashy performances, and the triumph of the proud nepo child amongst these 2023 Oscar nominees.
Somebody really surprising may substitute Will Smith
It’s Academy custom for appearing Oscar winners to return the following yr to current—that’s why Jessica Chastain accepted her Oscar from Anthony Hopkins final yr, you would possibly bear in mind. As a result of final yr’s best-actor winner, Will Smith, received’t be at this yr’s ceremony (or another for the following decade), although, it’s an open query as to who will current finest actress. Might or not it’s one of many already introduced presenters—Florence Pugh? A dream workforce of earlier best-actress winners Chastain, Halle Berry, and Nicole Kidman? Or may or not it’s a complete shock—a well-known best-actress winner from the previous, like Ellen Burstyn or Shirley MacLaine? Oscar nerds will likely be maintaining an in depth eye on this one, and we’re hoping for the nice form of shock this time.
RRR’s best-song efficiency may encourage an onstage dance-off
Few Oscar-nominated songs from the previous a number of years—hell, the final a number of a long time—are as infectious as “Naatu Naatu,” the colourful centerpiece of S.S. Rajamouli’s Telugu-language blockbuster. And that’s true even with out contemplating the arresting dance quantity that accompanies the music within the movie, carried out by lead actors N. T. Rama Rao Jr. and Ram Charan. It’s not clear but whether or not the pair will recreate their suspender-forward choreography from the Oscars stage when singers Rahul Sipligunj and Kaala Bhairava carry out “Naatu Naatu” stay—however both means, it isn’t laborious to think about a state of affairs wherein different boldfaced names are pulled out of their seats, Anne Hathaway–fashion, to point out off their very own strikes in the course of the efficiency. If we will’t have Woman Gaga, please simply allow us to have this.
Michelle Yeoh may make historical past
Sure, it’s true: Within the 95-year historical past of the Academy Awards, no Asian-identifying performer had been nominated for finest actress till Michelle Yeoh was acknowledged this yr for Every little thing In every single place All at As soon as. (Merle Oberon, who was nominated in 1936, was of British, Sri Lankan, and Māori descent, however hid her ancestry when she grew to become a star.) If she triumphs over opponents Cate Blanchett, Ana de Armas, Andrea Riseborough, and Michelle Williams, Yeoh will break floor as soon as extra. She would possibly even be the cherry on prime of a historic evening for Asian performers writ giant: If her castmates Ke Huy Quan and Stephanie Hsu win of their respective classes, or if Hong Chau nabs supporting actress over Hsu, the Oscars may have a number of Asian appearing winners for the primary time ever. Such a feat would almost double the variety of Asian performers who’ve received appearing Oscars to date.
Mandy Walker may turn into the primary girl to win in finest cinematography
Lots of the worst Oscar observe information are slowly being repaired—see above—however the all-male record of best-cinematography winners has remained shockingly cussed. Elvis cinematographer Walker is simply the third girl ever nominated within the class, after Mudbound’s Rachel Morrison and The Energy of the Canine’s Ari Wegner. Wegner appeared poised to interrupt the streak final yr, however misplaced to a crafts sweep for Dune. Walker now has the prospect to interrupt that tumbler ceiling, and lots of Oscar pundits, VF’s included, are predicting a win.
John Williams may turn into the oldest Oscar winner ever
The Fabelmans composer is already in an Oscar class of his personal; with 53 nominations, he holds the document as most-nominated residing individual, and is behind solely Walt Disney within the all-time information. He’s not a favourite within the original-score class this yr, however profitable an Oscar at age 91 can be a becoming tribute for a residing legend.
Diane Warren may finish her Oscar shedding streak in spectacular fashion
In fact, Warren already has her Oscar—the songwriter was among the many honorary Oscar winners on the Governors Awards within the fall. However she’s been nominated a outstanding 14 instances within the aggressive original-song class, together with for all-time classics like “I Don’t Need to Miss a Factor” and “As a result of You Liked Me.” Her profession is actually Oscar-worthy, however this yr she’d should beat Rihanna and Woman Gaga, to not point out the “Naatu Naatu” crew, to get there.
My Yr of Dicks may very well be the primary film with the phrase “Dicks” in its title to win an Oscar
The animated-short nominee and viral sensation can be in a category of its personal—that’s, until It Occurred One Night time has an alternate title we’re not conscious of.
Angela Bassett may very well be the primary actor to win an Oscar for a Marvel film
True, some Oscar voters would possibly contemplate a win for Bassett to be extra of a lifetime achievement award, as usually occurs when beloved stars are acknowledged on the Academy Awards for comparatively minor movies. (No offense, Scent of a Lady.) But when Bassett will get a trophy Sunday evening, it’s going to in reality be for her efficiency in Black Panther: Wakanda Eternally. Such a victory would make Bassett the primary and solely actor to not solely be nominated for his or her MCU work, however to win for it. For these maintaining rating, her win would additionally reiterate the Black Panther film’s standing because the franchise’s solely Oscar-winning sequence. That’s what we name doing the factor.
Jamie Lee Curtis may pull off a nepo child hat trick
The Every little thing In every single place All at As soon as supporting-actress hopeful has, in current weeks, begun to essentially embrace her standing as a toddler of celebrities who additionally went into showbiz. However Curtis is, in reality, no regular nepo child: She’s the uncommon Oscar nominee born from not one, however two fellow Oscar nominees. (Mother Janet Leigh was nominated for Psycho in 1961; dad Tony Curtis was nominated for The Defiant Ones in 1959.) If Curtis comes out on prime, she’ll reign as simply the third ultra-extra-super-nepo-Oscar-winner in historical past, following within the illustrious footsteps of Laura Dern and Liza Minnelli. Stars: A few of them aren’t identical to us!
Presenter Florence Pugh may deliver an Aperol spritz onstage
As a result of if we’re nonetheless not over the Don’t Fear Darling press tour, perhaps she isn’t both.
