Deadline today confirmed with Oscar telecast producer Will Packer that Josh Brolin and Jason Momoa will present the eight awards that will be, for the first time, handed out before this year’s live telecast instead of during it. The duo had been reported to be in talks to present the segment, but Packer confirmed the final agreement to us at the Governor’s Awards today.
Eight of the 23 Oscar categories will not be presented live on the March 27 broadcast; instead, they’ll be taped in the hour before the telecast and then run at points during the show. The AMPAS President David Rubin sent an explanation letter earlier this week to members and nominees. However, it is clear that the move was made to increase the audience for the show.
The Academy’s decision has been criticized by union leaders, rank-and-file Academy members and Steven Spielberg. The addition of the power duo of A-listers from the DC (Aquaman) and Marvel (Thanos) universes seems to indicate the Academy thinks it’s worth putting some muscle into the pre-show.
The categories presented in the evening’s first hour and inserted later in the live broadcast are, alphabetically: Documentary (Short Subject), Film Editing, Makeup and Hairstyling, Music (Original Score), Production Design, Short Film (Animated), Short Film (Live Action) and Sound.
Tom Tapp contributed to the report.