Internet backs Al Pacino as he calls abrupt Best Picture Oscar announcement ‘choice by producers’

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: Al Pacino announced the Best Picture winner so nonchalantly on stage at the Academy Awards on Sunday, March 10, that many people in the crowd were left wondering whether he had indeed done that.

The 'Godfather' actor claimed he was following the Academy's script for the evening when he left out the names of the nominees.

"I just want to be clear it was not my intention to omit [nominees]," Pacino told TMZ on Monday, March 11.

Al Pacino explains awkward Best Picture Oscar announcement was conscious 'choice'

While presenting the coveted Best Picture award at the 2024 Oscars, the 83-year-old Oscar winner startled the crowd by revealing 'Oppenheimer' as the winner of the Best Picture award.

However, Pacino omitted announcing the names of the nominated films before that. The other films nominated for the Best Picture award alongside 'Oppenheimer' were 'Barbie', 'American Fiction', 'Anatomy of a Fall', 'The Holdovers', 'Killers of the Flower Moon', and 'Maestro'.

The 'Scent of a Woman' star told TMZ that because each nominee had been "highlighted individually" during the evening, producers decided not to list them.

He explained: "There seems to be some controversy about my not mentioning every film by name last night before announcing the Best Picture award."

"I just want to be clear it was not my intention to omit them, rather a choice by the producers not to have them said again since they were highlighted individually throughout the ceremony."

"I was honored to be a part of the evening and chose to follow the way they wished for this award to be presented," Pacino added.

The 'Godfather' actor concluded by expressing his regret for any nominees who were left out before he revealed the winner, adding: "I realize being nominated is a huge milestone in one’s life and to not be fully recognized is offensive and hurtful."

"I say this as someone who profoundly relates with filmmakers, actors and producers so I deeply empathize with those who have been slighted by this oversight and it’s why I felt it necessary to make this statement."

While announcing the Best Picture award of the evening, Pacino said: "Ten wonderful films are nominated, but only one will take the award for Best Picture. And I have to go to the envelope for that. And I will. Here it comes. And my eyes see 'Oppenheimer', yes!"

Pacino's statement "couldn't have been more chaotic or confusing," one person noted on social media, buzzing with messages about the embarrassing show finale.

Internet backs Al Pacino's unconventional Oscar announcement

Social media users were quick to rally behind the 'Godfather' actor's explanation for his unconventional Oscar announcement while presenting the Best Picture award to 'Oppenheimer'.

One such user took to Facebook and commented, "Maybe it's time to watch from home or audience and not present! Slip-ups happen and no one is perfect! He's still a top tier a list actor!"

A second one added, "He just got to the point … they needed to hurry," while a third one said, "He’s 83 and has a new born baby, he doesn’t have time to read the nominees."

Another one echoed a similar sentiment and said, "Shaved 12 minutes off the show....works for me !"

"Pacino can do anything he wants.... There lucky he showed up," chimed in another one.

One more remarked, "I think he was the perfect person to announce the winner since he played the role of a Nazi in Amazon Prime’s series Hunters."

"Glad he didn’t name them….just say who won. Nominees know who they were. Lol," quipped another one.

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