Oscars producer addresses ceremony chaos after Al Pacino read out Best Picture winner without naming nominees

While the 2024 Oscars went mostly without any surprises, Al Pacino's nomination announcement left many scratching their heads.

The veteran actor closed the show by dishing out the award for the most anticipated category - Best Picture.

Some of the films in the running included Oppenheimer, Barbie, Past Lives, Poor Things and American Fiction.

Now, many people thought Christopher Nolan's film focused on J. Robert Oppenheimer had a strong chance of winning - so it was really no surprise when Pacino announced it as the winner.

But instead of reading out the rest of the nominees, he just went straight to opening the winning letter and said ‘my eyes see Oppenheimer’ - which is weird in itself, let’s be honest.

People on social media were quick to express their bemusement at his actions - leading some to come up with their own theories behind the decision.

The Scarface star has since issued a response to clear up the confusion, as reported by Variety: "There seems to be some controversy about my not mentioning every film by name last night before announcing the Best Picture award.

Rich Polk/Variety via Getty Images

"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 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."

But he wasn't the only one to comment on the situation, as Oscars producer Molly McNearney has said that there was a method to the madness.

Rich Polk/Variety via Getty Images

Speaking to Variety she said: “It was a creative decision. [We were] very worried that the show was going to be long.

“By the time you get to the end of the show, you’ve seen all 10 best picture clip packages People just want to hear who wins, and they’re pretty ready for the show to be over. At least that’s what we anticipated.

“So, we did not give him a clip package. We did not give him nominations to read.

"I apologize if our decision to not have to read through all those nominations put him in a tough spot.”

Here are some of this year's Oscar winners:

Best director

Anatomy of a Fall - Justine Triet

Killers of the Flower Moon - Martin Scorsese

Oppenheimer - Christopher Nolan - WINNER

Poor Things - Yorgos Lanthimos

The Zone of Interest - Jonathan Glazer

Best actor

Bradley Cooper - Maestro

Colman Domingo - Rustin

Paul Giamatti - The Holdovers

Cillian Murphy - Oppenheimer - WINNER

Jeffrey Wright - American Fiction

Best actress

Annette Bening - Nyad

Lily Gladstone - Killers of the Flower Moon

Sandra Huller - Anatomy of a Fall

Carey Mulligan - Maestro

Emma Stone - Poor Things - WINNER

Best picture

American Fiction

Anatomy of a Fall

Barbie

The Holdovers

Killers of the Flower Moon

Maestro

Oppenheimer - WINNER

Past Lives

Poor Things

The Zone of Interest

Best supporting actress

Emily Blunt - Oppenheimer

Danielle Brooks - The Color Purple

America Ferrera - Barbie

Jodie Foster - Nyad

Da'Vine Joy Randolph - The Holdovers - WINNER