Fantasy Cast: Which Former Acting Winners Should Present For Each Oscar Nominee?

By: Christopher James

Screw the MCU, this is the greatest crossover event in history.

In a quest to get to three hours, the Academy has attempted to shave off so many things that make the Oscars great, including eight categories. As Nathaniel eloquently noted, the Oscars are best when they embrace the excess, full of clips, montages and moments to celebrate the nominees and the art of moviemaking in general. One of the best examples of this came during the 2008 Oscars, hosted by Hugh Jackman. Yes, Jackman was a great host with multiple fantastic dance numbers, including a bit about how “he didn’t see The Reader” and declaring the musical is back. There was one other major thing that was incredible about that particular Oscar ceremony: the presentation of the acting awards. Murtada also looked back on this wonderful moment a couple years back as well. These Oscars were not afraid of taking their time. In addition to clips, a different winner from a previous year introduced each acting nominee. The producers for that year didn’t just pick former winner names out of a hat, they found some thematic connection between the nominee and the former winner, as if to say that everyone has a chance. It was an exciting way to accentuate the legacy of the Oscars, honor each nominee and make the event even more star studded than normal. 

Let's fantasize about that happening again...

Who would be cast?

I’ve tried to limit myself to a few rules to give the ceremony the maximum starpower for fanatics and casual viewers alike:

• The presenter must have won that exact category (a Best Actor winner can only present Best Actor)

• The presenter must not be nominated this year, thus people like Javier Bardem, Olivia Colman, Penelope Cruz, Judi Dench, Nicole Kidman, J.K. Simmons and Denzel Washington would not qualify.

• All four winners from last year will present - Anthony Hopkins, Frances McDormand, Daniel Kaluuya, and Youn Yuh-jung

BEST ACTOR

Javier Bardem for Being the Ricardos, introduced by Rami Malek (2018’s winner for Bohemian Rhapsody)

Does anyone want to be reminded of Malek’s Oscar win? No.

Would it be fun for one Bond villain to introduce another? Yes.

Plus, he could maybe do a joke on how Bardem did more singing as Desi Arnaiz than he did as Freddy Mercury. Okay, I agree, too soon.

Benedict Cumberbath for The Power of the Dog, introduced by Daniel Day-Lewis (2006’s winner for There Will Be Blood)

The easiest connection one could use for Cumberbatch would be to search for the last Best Actor winner from a western. We could make that stretch to Jeff Bridges for Crazy Heart, but that doesn’t feel like the best fit. Instead, Cumberbatch’s Phil Burbank shares cruel DNA with Day-Lewis’ frightening Daniel Plainview. While some of the other Best Actor introductions would be co-star reunions or bits, this could be a genuinely great tribute to Cumberbatch’s incredible performance.

Andrew Garfield for tick, tick… Boom!, introduced by Jamie Foxx (2004’s winner for Ray)

While there are quite a few women who have won Best Actress for musicals (Andrews, Streisand, Stone, to name some living examples), the number is much less for actors. The last example would be Jamie Foxx, who won for the biopic Ray. While not quite a musical, both Ray and tick, tick… Boom! Involve playing a real person. Also, this could be one way to acknowledge Spider-Man: No Way Home. 

Will Smith for King Richard, introduced by Tom Hanks (1994’s winner for Forrest Gump)

Will Smith’s journey from marquee action star to overdue dramatic actor is a transition few could pull off. While King Richard’s box office wasn’t stellar (likely due to the simultaneous HBO Max launch), Smith is still one of the few blockbuster movie stars out there. Only a movie star can present to a movie star. Tom Hanks has spent the past three decades at the top of the A-list. Before the 90s, he was a B-list comic actor who had the right string of hits that led him to his inimitable career. Seeing Hanks introduce likely winner Will Smith would surely be a memorable TV moment.

Denzel Washington for The Tragedy of Macbeth, introduced by Anthony Hopkins (last years’ winner for The Father)

Yes, in this scenario last year’s winners have to be included. The task of introducing Denzel Washington can go to only a few people. However, Hopkins could be up to the task. Both Washington and Hopkins have won Oscars for playing frightening villains (Training Day and Silence of the Lambs). Additionally, Macbeth is the story of a man haunted by his actions, driven mad with power. While The Father deals with a very different sort of mental trauma, both Washington and Hopkins use their considerable talents to feel inside their character’s minds.

BEST ACTRESS

Jessica Chastain for The Eyes of Tammy Faye, introduced by Emma Stone (2016’s winner for La La Land)

Are we doing a reunion for The Help in the year of our Lord 2022? Okay, so maybe not the best idea. Still, the two actresses are actual friends and this marks the ten year anniversary of Chastain’s first Oscar nomination. Especially if Chastain wins, who else would be more excited than Emma Stone?

Olivia Colman for The Lost Daughter, introduced by Frances McDormand (last years’ winner for Nomadland)

Frances McDormand has definitely gotten drunk and sang "Living on a Prayer". Frances McDormand has definitely screamed at teenagers at a movie theater. Olivia Colman is a smiling version of McDormand’s curmudgeon persona.

Penelope Cruz for Parallel Mothers, introduced by Sophia Loren (1961’s winner for Two Women)

Loren was very memorable when she presented to Meryl Streep in 2008. Why would we waste a chance to bring back a living legend, especially a year after she campaigned heavily for The Life Ahead? As the first woman to win an acting Oscar for a performance in a foreign language, she would be the perfect person to honor Cruz’s astounding work in Parallel Mothers.

Nicole Kidman for Being the Ricardos, introduced by Reese Witherspoon (2005’s winner for Walk the Line)

Wow, the power of women. Why pass up an opportunity for a Big Little Lies reunion? Make it happen, producers. Plus, June Carter Cash and Lucille Ball are very different celebrities that did spend similar years in fame.

Kristen Stewart for Spencer, introduced by Helen Mirren (2006’s winner for The Queen)

Okay, this may be too literal. Mirren won for playing Queen Elizabeth II right after Princess Diana’s death. It would be full circle for her to give praise to Stewart’s distinctive take on Princess Diana.

BEST SUPPORTING ACTOR

Ciaran Hinds for Belfast, introduced by Daniel Kaluuya (last year’s winner for Judas and the Black Messiah)

There really isn’t any great fit for Daniel Kaluuya to present to (and not just because of the lily white lineup). Kaluuya won for a bombastic, lead performance of a historic crusader. This Supporting Actor lineup is filled mostly with introverts trying to get by in a harsh world (plus J.K. Simmons). It seems odd to give London born Kaluuya the task of introducing Belfast star Ciaran Hinds. Still, it could make for an interesting reach across the aisle, specifically as Belfast deals with director Kenneth Branagh’s personal experience in the Irish Troubles.

Troy Kotsur for CODA, introduced by Mahershala Ali (2016’s winner for Moonlight)

Kotsur’s Frank is an actual Father, while Ali’s winning role as Juan in Moonlight was just a Father figure. Yet, both performances understood the tricky and complicated nature of kindness when dealing with children. There’s an emotional throughline between the performances that feels potent. Additionally, Ali is great at giving loving, thoughtful speeches and tributes.

Jesse Plemons for The Power of the Dog, introduced by Brad Pitt (2019’s winner for Once Upon a Time in Hollywood)

How much fun is Brad Pitt at an awards show? I’m not ready for another Oscars without him (nor is Yuh-Jung Youn). It’s hard to say what task was harder, finding a way to incorporate Pitt or finding a presenter for Jesse Plemons. Sure, Plemons has worked with previous winners Christian Bale and Mark Rylance, but no one would say they have iconic screen chemistry. Plemons’ character in The Power of the Dog is more than a “supportive husband” or “put-upon brother.” He’s a soulful family member who can’t seem to untangle the interpersonal mess his marriage has wrought. Similarly, Pitt’s Cliff Booth is a soulful friend who can’t seem to untangle himself from his best buddy, Rick Dalton (Leonardo DiCaprio).

J.K. Simmons for Being the Ricardos, introduced by Alan Arkin (2006’s winner for Little Miss Sunshine)

Both have made careers of playing vaguely funny, crotechty men. It’s less that Simmons’ Being the Ricardos performance recalls Arkin’s Little Miss Sunshine winning, heroin-addicted Grandpa. It’s more that this nomination feels like the similar lazy, afterglow nomination that Arkin received for Argo.

Kodi Smit-McPhee for The Power of the Dog, introduced by Timothy Hutton (1980’s winner for Ordinary People)

It’s only fair that the record holdest for youngest Supporting Actor winner presents the second youngest Supporting Actor winner. After all, Hutton knows how to play a sensitive twink (okay, twunk) who people just don’t understand. 

BEST SUPPORTING ACTRESS

Jessie Buckley for The Lost Daughter, introduced by Allison Janney (2018’s winner for I, Tonya)

Once again, Laurie Metcalf should’ve won and then introduced her, but oh well. Janney may not be the most monstrous Mom who won this category (a Mo’nique introduction would be incredible). However, she’s the most recent example and feels like the exact person that a casual Oscar viewer would love to see back on the screen for a few minutes.

Ariana DeBose for West Side Story, introduced by Rita Moreno (1961’s winner for West Side Story)

Yeah, this doesn’t need any explanation. By far the easiest producing choice.

Judi Dench for Belfast, introduced by Yuh-Jung Youn (last year’s winner for Minari)

The Grandma connection is very obvious. Yes, Dench likely won’t attend the Oscars. In any case, this could just be another great victory lap for Yuh-Jung Youn. Who would deny her that?

Kirsten Dunst for The Power of the Dog, introduced by Anna Paquin (1993’s winner for The Piano)

It’s only fair that the last person Jane Campion directed to a supporting actress win passed on the luck to Kirsten Dunst. Sure, there are other long-suffering Moms who have won this category, but Dunst’s Rose stands out from the crowd, even as she fades in. One could see her bristling with Paquin’s Flora and her character’s tempestuous and assertive energy. No two Campion characters are the same, but they possess similar levels of depth and levels of commitment from the actor.

Aunjanue Ellis for King Richard, introduced by Melissa Leo (2010’s winner for The Fighter)

Venus and Serena Williams are quite a bit more famous than Dicky Eklund. Still, Leo and Ellis both play mothers who act as surrogate coaches and support systems for their talented kids. Both Dicky and Leo’s Alice are a lot more flawed than the Williams family. Yet, Leo could highlight some of the ways that Aunjanue Ellis subverts the “supportive wife/mother” stereotype in King Richard.

Who would you want to introduce each of the acting nominees for this year? Let us know in the comments below.

Comments

[TOM]

I'll have to think this over, but in the mean time:
Having former winner laud over present nominees was one of the greatest Oscar presentation I've experienced. I still wouldn't want the 8 'unimportant' categories to be chopped for a segment like this to re-appear. Granted, the 'core audience' that ABC so desperately wants to attract will be bored senseless having to sit through something like this. (Get to the damn envelope, says 1,000 tweets). But - I still want at least one 'Oscar acting clip.' It's even better when they show various movie stills of a performance so it doesn't seem like people win because of one scene.
*Didn't Alison Janney get denied the opportunity to present the Best Supporting Actor award by herself by year following her win? In an effort to 'try new stuff,' I think that her and BSA winner Sam Rockwell got 'demoted' to present best Original Score or something. Rockwell certainly wasn't able to open the envelope for Regina King. That honor was bestowed on 'hipper, audience bait' - a trio of former SNL regulars. What a travesty for tradition...

[Peter]

Fun exercise and great choices overall. If I were to quibble I'd probably aim more for big stars than trying to make optimize connections between the performers... e.g. Leo instead of Malek, Christian Bale instead of Timothy Hutton, Anne Hathaway instead of Paquin. Love including legends like Loren and Moreno. Could they get Jack to show up? De Niro? Julie Andrews?

I loved this in 2008. I think they did something similar in 2009 also but not quite as sharp.

[Manuel]

I would like to spice the presenters with International stars

ACTRESS
Jessica Chastain introduced by Isabelle Huppert
Kristen Stewart introduced by Charlotte Rampling
Penelope Cruz introduced by Maggie Cheung
Nicole Kidman introduced by Kristin Scott-Thomas
Olivia Colman introduced by Frances McDormand

ACTOR
Javier Bardem introduced by Tom Cruise
Benedict Cumberbatch introduced by Tony Leung
Andrew Garfield introduced by Mads Mikkelsen
Denzel Washington introduced by Idris Elba
Will Smith introduced by Anthony Hopkins

SUPPORTING ACTOR
Kodi introduced by Christian Bale
Troy introduced by Brad Pitt
Jesse introduced by Daniel Bruhl
Simmons introduced by Michael Caine
Hinds introduced by Michael Fassbender

SUPPORTING ACTRESS
Judi Dench introduced by Cate Blanchett
Kirsten Dunst introduced by Kate Winslet
Aunjanue Ellis introduced by Angela Bassett
Ariana DeBose introduced by Catalina Sandino Moreno
Jessie Buckley introduced by Youn Yuh-Jung

[Cash]

Kaluuya should present for Plemons.

[Lucky]

I'm sorry, I'll be a buzzkill. While I appreciate this exercise, I still remember the secondhand embarrassment of this segment when they did it. So over the top and so much time used on actors. It's like they were not even trying to hide that they think that's all the audience cares about.

Doing it this year especially, after cutting 8 categories, would be truly disrespectful.

[N8]

Thanks for the wonderful trip down memory lane. The 2008 ceremony will always hold a special place in my heart as the single best Oscar telecast they ever put together, for a variety of reasons (Hugh as host, ample musical moments, efficient and clever presentation of below-the-line categories), and of course this inventive actors-on-actors format is chief among them.

A minor correction: This was not in addition to clips. They ran a montage of previous winners before each category, but the 2008 crop of nominees conspicuously saw no acting clips of their own! The show-runners the following year tried doing both clips and actor-on-actor spiels, but it didn't work as smoothly (took over ten minutes per category before even getting to the envelope)

I'm also not convinced the 'thematic connection between nominee and former winner' theory holds water. It seems plausible in a couple of cases, but most of the pairings from those presentations felt pretty random to me. (Exactly what line are we supposed to draw between Joel Grey's emcee and Josh Brolin's Dan White? Or between Anthony Hopkins' Hannibal Lector and Brad Pitt's Benjamin Button?)

Still loved it though. This telecast will never be topped.

[Peter]

Lucky - perhaps we should do it for more categories?

e.g. director:

Campion - Kathryn Bigelow or Peter Jackson
Spielberg - Martin Scorsese
Branagh - Danny Boyle or Joel Coen
Hamaguchi - Bong Joon-Ho
Anderson - hmm... Steven Soderbergh?

I could imagine a similar list of luminaries for screenplay, cinematography, original score, costumes, etc. The Oscars are about the stars so lean into it!

[Frank Zappa]

The presenter must have won that exact category (a Best Actor winner can only present Best Actor)
All four winners from last year will present - Anthony Hopkins, Frances McDormand, Daniel Kaluuya, and Youn Yuh-jung

BEST ACTOR
Javier Bardem - Jean Dujardin
Benedict Cumberbatch - Eddie Redmayne
Andrew Garfield - Anthony Hopkins
Will Smith - Roberto Benigni
Denzel Washington - Tom Hanks

BEST ACTRESS
Jessica Chastain - Frances McDormand
Olivia Colman - Helen Mirren
Penelope Cruz - Marion Cotillard
Nicole Kidman - Cate Blanchett
Kristen Stewart - Jodie Foster

BEST SUPPORTING ACTOR
Ciaran Hinds - Michael Caine
Troy Kotsur - Chris Cooper
Jesse Plemons - Daniel Kaluuya
J.K. Simmons - Jack Nicholson
Kodi Smit-McPhee - Christopher Walken

BEST SUPPORTING ACTRESS
Jessie Buckley - Vanessa Redgrave
Ariana DeBose - Rita Moreno
Judi Dench - Yuh-Jung Youn
Kirsten Dunst - Laura Dern
Aunjanue Ellis - Octavia Spencer

[StephenM]

I'm with Lucky - I don't miss these presentations one bit. I guess they sort of worked the first year - I did like Kidman, Cotillard et al walking out to the Gone With the Wind theme - but every other year they just felt terribly cringy and awkward. Just read the names, show us a clip and crown the winner please!

[choog]

This is fun. I’m going to limit myself to best actress
Chastain - I’m struggling to find something other than the Emma Stone suggestion! Maybe Julianne Moore because gingers are beautiful and I always want to see Julianne Moore on screen.
Colman - Halle Berry, 2 beautiful depictions of flawed mothers filled with grief/regret
Cruz - Marion Cotillard, we all know the best roles for women are in foreign language films!
Kidman - Holly Hunter, just to remind everyone how magic Jane Campion is.
Stewart - Natalie Portman, the Larraine connection & Spencer/Black Swan 2 portraits or fragile women unravelling under incredible pressure!

[choog]

I forgot to include Frances Mcdormand in my prior post…. I don’t know who to change!
Best sup actress
Buckley - Tilda Swinton, I dunno, feels right?
DeBose - Catherine Zeta Jones, powerhouse musical performances
Dench - Cate Blanchett, Oscar favourites, Queens, co-stars.,
Dunst - Jennifer Connelly, child stars who successfully navigated to adult stardom
Ellis - I haven’t seen King Richard and unfamiliar with Ellis so Yuh-Jung Youn?

[rdf]

I know that most on this blog are not Streep admirers, but as a 3 time Oscar winner, I think she should introduce Best Actor or Actress.

[Frank Zappa]

I think most on the blog are Streep admirers, to varying degrees.

[TomG]

Bardem- Jeff Bridges
Cumberbatch- Eddie Redmayne
Garfield- Jean Dujardin
Smith- Forest Whitaker
Washington- Hopkins

Chastain- Cher
Colman- Emma Stone
Cruz- Marion Cotillard
Kidman- Julianne Moore
Stewart- McDormand

Hinds- Jim Broadbent
Kotsur- Mark Rylance
Plemmons- Kaluuya
Simons- Tommy Lee Jones
Smit-McPhee- Timothy Hutton

Buckley- Renee Zellweger
DeBose- Catherine Zeta Jones
Dench- Maggie Smith
Dunst- Octavia Spencer
Ellis- Youn

[Fadhil]

I think this format can only work if the presenter has only won once and specifically for that category. No repeat presenters from 2008 too LOL

[TOM]

Javier Bardem - F. Murray Abraham
Benedict C. - DDLewis
Andrew G. - Richard Dreyfuss
Will Smith- Al Pacino
Denzel W. - Anthony Hopkins

Jessica C. - Julianne Moore
Olivia C. - Frances McDormand
P. Cruz - Sophia Loren
Nicole K. - Renee Zellweger
Kristin S. - Helen Mirren

Ciara’s H. -Maharishi Ali/Moonlight-not Green Book.
Troy K. - Joe Pesci
Jessie P- Daniel Kaluuya
JK Simmons - Kevin Kline
Jodi-McPhee Smits-Timothy Hutton

Jessie B - Patricia Arquette
Adriana D. - Jennifer Hudson
Judi Dench- Youn Yuh-Jung
Kristin Dunst - Brenda Fricker
A. Ellis - Regina King

[Michael R]

You know what would be really cool? If the 5 nominees for Best Director and the 20 nominees in the acting categories all arrived really early to see the first hour of the ceremony, thereby skipping the red carpet and screwing over ABC'S pre-show. What a wonderful show of support that would be. And what a way to show support for their fellow craftsmen and women.

[Michael R]

Oh that was supposed to be for Nathaniel's post - but you get the idea!

[Dan H]

I'd loosen the rules a bit and let Best Actor winners salute Supporting Actor nominees when appropriate. I'd also mix it up in terms of gender. Why not? Let's not be essentialist about it. And I'd avoid too-obvious choices. A lot of these ones that seem perfect on paper just feel wrong. Poor Jodi-McPhee Smits would have a chill go down his spine at the thought of being the next Timothy Hutton: one of those sad, "it's all downhill after you win the Oscar" case studies. So:

Javier B. - George Clooney
Benedict C. - Meryl Streep
Andrew G. - Joel Grey
Will S- Harrison Ford
Denzel W. - Julia Roberts

Jessica C. - Brad Pitt
Olivia C. - Cait Blanchett
Penelope C. - Kate WInslet
Nicole K. - Marion Cotillard
Kristin S. - Juliette Binoche

Ciaran H. - Michael Caine
Troy K. - Marlee Matlin (almost problematically obvious, but the fact that she could do everything in sign language would be great.)
Jessie P- Mark Rylance
JK Simmons - Helen Mirren
Jodi-McPhee S - Angelina Jolie

Jessie B - Olivia Coleman
Adriana D. - Frances McDormand (Can't you just hear her say: "You're GOOD. I know it. YOU know it. Everyone knows it...")
Judi D- Catherine Zeta-Jones
Kristin D - Jeremy Irons
A. Ellis - Morgan Freeman

For me, it wouldn't usually be about trivia(l) connections, it would be about a vibe, and it's hard to quantify that. In cases where there's both a connection and a vibe--Buckley/Coleman, Kotsur/Matlin--then, yeah, go for it. But I don't think, say picking a Black singer to laud another Black singer just cuz of that is the way to go.

[Jésus Alonso]

the Paquin and Dunst connection goes further... I have been always certain that Dunst would have been nominated and won Supporting Actress in 1994 for Interview with the Vampire - such a performance! - if it wasn't for the fact, that Paquin won the year before, and they avoided the chance of two child actors winning back to back - even if both actually so richly deserved to.