As an actor, Hugh Jackman is versatile. Matthew had seen him perform in musical programs and host the Tony Awards, the Oscars of the theater world, several times. Now, guest hosting the Oscars wasn't much of a challenge for him. Moreover, Hugh Jackman's selection as the host highlighted the Academy's awareness of the potential crisis facing the Oscars and their intention to leverage the strong appeal of Wolverine.
Even the most stubborn and conservative members of the Academy's executive committee couldn't deny that the Oscars' viewership had reached a point where it needed to be saved.
Think back to when "Titanic" swept the Oscars; the event drew an average of over 50 million viewers, setting a record for the Oscars. Compare that to recent years, where the average viewership barely exceeded 30 million. The decline was significant.
The Oscars are the Academy's flagship event and their biggest source of commercial revenue.
In Matthew's view, the solution to the ratings problem is simple and straightforward: make the nomination list full of genuine blockbuster films. However, getting the conservative Academy to make such a choice is extremely difficult.
Therefore, the Oscars had to innovate in other ways, like creating surprises.
Unlike previous years where the announcement was staggered, this year's Oscars kept the list of award presenters tightly under wraps. Not a single name was revealed until the last moment. Even presenters like Matthew didn't rehearse beforehand, all in the name of creating surprises.
This change was fully evident during the presentation of the first award for Best Supporting Actress.
The award presenter wasn't the traditional past Best Supporting Actor winner but rather five past Best Supporting Actress winners: Eva Marie Saint, Goldie Hawn, Anjelica Huston, Whoopi Goldberg, and Tilda Swinton. When they emerged from under the screen displaying their portraits, they genuinely brought some surprise, thanks to the show's well-executed secrecy.
However, the surprise was short-lived. The rest was the usual script: introducing the nominees and presenting the Best Supporting Actress Oscar. The winner gave their acceptance speech...
Matthew watched Penélope Cruz receive her award, feeling a bit bored. Anne Hathaway had just left to prepare for her dance performance with Wolverine, leaving Matthew with no one to chat with.
Based on past experience, an Oscar ceremony typically lasts three and a half to four hours. Although he didn't have to worry about restroom breaks like the actresses, sitting through a series of awards given to films he'd never seen was quite tedious.
It's likely that the Oscars' dwindling audience shares his sentiment.
When he lived on the other side of the Pacific, he also followed the Oscars online. But he quickly lost interest as the nominated films were mostly ones he had never heard of, making the experience far from engaging.
Fortunately, Anne Hathaway and Hugh Jackman's dance performance was spectacular. Especially when Hugh Jackman belted out, "I'm Wolverine," even Matthew couldn't help but laugh and applaud.
After this performance, the atmosphere suddenly became heavy as it was time to present the award for Best Supporting Actor.
As everyone expected, this award came with no suspense. With the advantage of his posthumous nomination, Heath Ledger easily claimed the Best Supporting Actor title.
This is the Oscars—there are many ways to win an award, and this was certainly a unique one.
If he were still alive, Heath Ledger might have had a hard time winning Best Supporting Actor. Anyone with even a basic understanding of Hollywood could figure that out. After all, his role was not only in a big commercial production but also a superhero comic book movie...
The majority of Oscar voters have a deep-seated bias against such films or roles. They might nitpick with the living, but like the public, they're exceedingly generous toward the deceased.
Matthew joined the others in a standing ovation. The Joker would forever be an iconic character, marking the end of Heath Ledger's journey.
This is Hollywood—things keep moving even without James Cameron.
At that moment, a staff member came over to remind Matthew that it was time to head backstage to prepare. Matthew left the guest area, walked through a side corridor, and entered backstage, where he happened to see Anne Hathaway emerging.
"Anne," Matthew gave her a thumbs up, "That was a fantastic performance."
Hearing this, Anne Hathaway's wide smile turned into a tight line as she nodded in thanks. "Thankfully, I didn't mess up."
Matthew gently patted her arm, "You were great." Then he pointed backstage. "I've got to go."
Seeing her nod, Matthew strode forward. His co-presenter, Paul Walker, was already waiting, though his expression seemed a bit off.
As Matthew approached Paul Walker, the show's director, Mark Lawrence, came over, gave them some last-minute instructions, handed Matthew a cue card, and had someone lead them to the stage exit.
"What's up, Paul?" Matthew asked quietly as they walked. "You look a bit off."
Paul Walker pointed to the cue card in Matthew's hand. "You'll see."
When they reached the stage exit and still had some time before the Best Animated Feature presentation, Matthew quickly looked over the cue card. His face mirrored Paul Walker's expression.
"Which writer came up with this script?" Matthew couldn't help shaking his head. "It's so irresponsible."
Paul Walker chuckled, "Luckily, you got the best part."
Matthew kept shaking his head, "The problem is I've never planned on getting involved with animated features, nor have I ever collaborated with DreamWorks Animation."
"It's just a joke." Paul Walker's lines were simpler, so he had already memorized them and stuffed the card into his pocket. "It's not a big deal."
Matthew nodded, "It's not, but Jeffrey Katzenberg has had a decade-long feud with Disney. If someone uses his company's animated films to make fun of Disney's, he probably won't be too happy."
He glanced at the director, "Katzenberg isn't exactly known for his generosity. He might end up discussing tonight's script with him."
Matthew and Paul Walker weren't too concerned. Everyone knows that the presenters' lines are all pre-arranged by the showrunners.
The director probably wanted to be creative, as nearly everyone in Hollywood knows about Katzenberg's feud with Disney. He likely wanted to create a buzz.
Of course, things might not be as Matthew imagined. People in Hollywood generally have a high tolerance for jokes made during shows.
Ten minutes later, director Mark Lawrence handed the envelope containing the Best Animated Feature winner to Matthew and, in coordination with Hugh Jackman's hosting, reminded them to head on stage.
To the sound of music, Matthew and Paul Walker crossed the stage and stood before the microphone, where they began some awkward banter.
"Matthew, I heard you're planning to start your own animated feature business?" Paul Walker asked.
"Yep." Matthew smiled. "I plan to collaborate with DreamWorks Animation in the next few years to voice their animated films."
Then, he suddenly adopted a serious expression. "And then, I'm going to bet on Pixar winning every Best Animated Feature award in Las Vegas."
As soon as he said this, the audience burst into laughter. Matthew noticed one of the cameras turning towards Jeffrey Katzenberg.
Their scripted banter ended, and Paul Walker smoothly transitioned, "Now, let's take a look at the films nominated for Best Animated Feature."
Matthew and Paul Walker turned to face the large screen, which displayed a highlight reel of past animated features.
Through a sky filled with garbage, the camera zoomed in on the ground, where Wall-E sliced open a pile of trash and found two items that piqued its interest—a videotape and an Oscar statuette!
Holding the statuette in one hand and the videotape in the other, Wall-E hesitated briefly before choosing the videotape and discarding the Oscar statuette like it was trash.
Back at home, Wall-E played the videotape, which featured a panda and a dog.
This fast-paced montage was introducing the three films nominated for Best Animated Feature this year—"WALL-E," "Bolt," and "Kung Fu Panda."
After the video ended, Matthew opened the envelope, glanced at it, and announced, "The Best Animated Feature award goes to... 'WALL-E'."
The room filled with applause. This award was no surprise. Paul Walker then handed the statuette to Andrew Stanton, who had come up on stage, marking the end of Matthew's duties for the night.
Afterward, "Slumdog Millionaire" began to dominate the Oscar ceremony, winning multiple awards, including Best Sound, Best Cinematography, Best Editing, Best Sound Mixing, Best Sound Editing, and Best Original Song, making it the biggest winner of the night.
Especially in the four most significant categories, "Slumdog Millionaire" took home both Best Director and Best Picture Oscars.
Of course, it didn't sweep the acting awards.
Best Actor went to Sean Penn, and in the Best Actress category, Anne Hathaway was bound to be disappointed, as the award went to Kate Winslet.
With the extra weight that finally sunk the ship, Rose took home the Best Actress crown.
Matthew glanced at Leonardo DiCaprio and remembered the "You Fat, I Fat" meme.
Perhaps Jack's turn is coming soon too? After all, Jack's weight might soon be enough to sink the ship.
He suddenly considered a possibility. Maybe one day, after Leonardo DiCaprio has had enough of his wild ways and Kate Winslet has tired of her marriage and divorce games, the two might end up together?
Isn't there a song that goes something like—The most romantic thing I can think of is growing fat with you?
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