Al Pacino released a statement after facing backlash for his delivery of the most anticipated honor of the night at the 96th Academy Awards.
“There seems to be some controversy about my not mentioning every film by name last night before announcing the best picture award,” the 83-year-old star said Monday in a statement, per ABC News. “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 “Scarface” actor was facing heat online from viewers who were confused by his delivery.
“My friends! Thank you, thank you,” he began from the stage on Sunday. “This is the time for the last award for the evening and it’s my honor to present it. Ten wonderful films were 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,'” Pacino said after opening the envelope.
When the audience didn’t react immediately, Pacino started naming the film’s producers. “Yes, Emma Thomas, Charles Roven,” he said.
Previous presenters at Sunday’s ceremony had done much bigger lead-ups to announcing the winners, highlighting all the nominees and complimenting their performances. The only other category that didn’t include the presenter reading all the nominees before announcing the winner was Best Original Song.
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“I realize being nominated is a huge milestone in one’s life and to not be fully recognized is offensive and hurtful,” Pacino concluded in the statement. “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.”
“Oppenheimer” was the big winner at the 2024 Oscars, taking home wins in seven categories including Best Picture, Best Actor (Cillian Murphy), Best Director (Christopher Nolan), Best Supporting Actor (Robert Downey Jr.), Best Original Score, Best Cinematography, and Best Film Editing. The film was nominated in 13 categories.