Al Pacino Addresses Oscars Controversy Over Odd Best Picture Announcement

Al Pacino has spoken out about his awkward Oscars moment, which has generated much conversation since the award ceremony on March 10.

The Godfather star presented Christopher Nolan’s Oppenheimer with the Best Picture award but failed to name the other nine nominated films before opening the winning envelope. The list of contenders included Poor Things, The Zone of Interest, Barbie and more.

Typically, the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences has the presenter for Best Picture list each film before announcing the winner, so viewers were confused when Pacino skipped this tradition.

“There seems to be some controversy about my not mentioning every film by name last night before announcing the Best Picture award,” the actor said in a statement. “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 through the ceremony.”

Audiences were also surprised by his nonchalance while announcing the winner.

“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,” Pacino said at the podium as he opened the envelope. “And my eyes see Oppenheimer.”

Despite the controversy, Pacino said he was “honored to be a part of the evening,” noting that he “chose to follow the way they wished for this award to be presented.”