Al Pacino breaks silence over Oscars Best Picture gaffe as he blames producers

11 March 2024 , 22:07

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Al Pacino breaks silence over Oscars Best Picture gaffe as he blames producers (Image: Rich Polk/Variety via Getty Images)

Actor Al Pacino has addressed his very awkward Oscars speech given ahead of the Best Picture Award, which left viewers scratching their heads.

As the legendary Hollywood took the stage to present the award to Christopher Nolan's Oppenheimer, viewers were left puzzled as he gave an odd introduction for the most important award of the night. During the awkward on-stage moment, Pacino said: "Best Picture...uh, I have to go to the envelope for that. And I will. Here it comes. And my eyes see Oppenheimer?" Despite this, film producer Emma Thomas and director Nolan went on stage to accept the award and give an emotional speech.

After the incident, the former Godfather actor cleared up confusion surrounding the moment placing the blame onto producers. He told TMZ: "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."

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Al Pacino blames producers for leaving out list of nominees in his Best Picture introduction speech (Variety via Getty Images)

The former Scarface actor continued: "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 went on to sincerely apologize to the other nominees in the category whose names were not recognized during the moment.

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Pacino said: "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."

The films that were left out of the actor's speech included the movies Barbie, Killers of the Flower Moon, Poor Things, American Fiction, Anatomy of a Fall, The Holdovers, Maestro, Past Lives, and The Zone of Interest. Despite the award show blunder, Nolan went on to share a heartfelt acceptance speech recognizing all the important people that helped him through the "incredible journey" of creating the three-hour-long epic Oppenheimer.

Chloe Stewart