It's Oscar time again (Photo by Chris Pizzello/Invision/AP, File)
Final preparations are underway for the 94th Academy Awards and a long awaited return to Hollywood glamour after a muted 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 Oscars will be held on Sunday, March 27, at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles.
The ceremony is set to begin at 11am on Monday, March 28 AEDT, 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 MC for the past three years.
Get your popcorn ready for Hollywood's biggest night! đżđ« Catch the #Oscars hosted by @MoreReginaHall, @amyschumer, and @iamwandasykes LIVE Sunday, March 27 on ABC! pic.twitter.com/lWut2M4mgt
â ABC (@ABCNetwork) March 11, 2022
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.
Venus and Serena Williams have just been announced as presenters at the 2022 #Oscars.
â BeyoncĂ© Update (@beyoncespotifys) March 24, 2022
â Do you believe they will be responsible for introducing BeyoncĂ©'s performance? pic.twitter.com/9kI62n6L9A
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
- West Side Story
Presenting the #Oscars illustration of the 94th @TheAcademy Awards Best Picture Nominees 2022!#Oscars2022 #KingRichard #DontLookUp #Dune #DriveMyCar #WestSideStory #ThePowerOfTheDog #CODA #Belfast #NightmareAlley #LicoricePizza #Oscars pic.twitter.com/kItGJ8KquH
â Olly Gibbs (@OllyGibbs) March 23, 2022
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.
Academy Award Nominated #WillSmith's âKing Richardâ releasing in Cinemas on March 25, 2022.#WarnerBrosIndia #KingRichard #VenusWilliams #SerenaWilliams pic.twitter.com/GEj9Xeyg6j
â BINGED (@Binged_) March 19, 2022
WHAT ELSE CAN WE EXPECT?
Organisers have promised they will keep the 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.
Introducing this yearâs Original Song nominees and performers for the 94th #Oscars. pic.twitter.com/ix09lxge8x
â The Academy (@TheAcademy) March 23, 2022
Beyoncé finally to return to the stage on Sunday at the #Oscars after 5 YEARS of not performing on an award show!!!! pic.twitter.com/n0tTShrHnB
â BeyoncĂ© Gifs (@LABeyonceGifs) March 23, 2022
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.
© AP 2022