The Academy announced Friday that next week's Oscar nominations announcement will be a “two-part presentation” and that for the first time ever, nominees all 24 Oscar categories will be announced live on television.
“Into the Woods” star Chris Pine has been tapped to join AMPAS President Cheryl Boone Isaacs to present nominations in 13 categories including a chunk of craft categories and Best Picture at 5:38am. Before that, however, “Gravity” helmer and last year's Oscar-winner for Best Director, Alfonso Cuarón, will join “Star Wars: The Force Awakens” director J.J. Abrams for the special early announcement of 11 categories, including the other crafts fields, shorts, documentary and animated feature, at 5:30am.
I applaud this in general, because it's nice to shine a broad light on every crevice of work the Academy celebrates. It almost feels like one step closer to a prime time reveal of the categories that could be pitched for ad buys and such, a step I find it curious the organization hasn't taken yet. But obviously tethering the announcement to the director of this year's most anticipated film is all about getting some more eyeballs on the product.
The global live stream of the announcement will be available Thursday, Jan. 15 at Oscars.org/Live.