But aside from the time shift, this year's show is going for many tried-and-true Academy Awards traditions. Nolan is tipped to win his first best director Oscar, while Robert Downey Jr. (best supporting actor) and Cillian Murphy (best actor) are also predicted to win their first Academy Award. While an Oscar for Stone, who won for her performance "La La Land," would be her second statuette, an win for Gladstone would make Academy Awards history. "The Zone of Interest" is the heavy favorite to win best international film.Historically, having big movies in the mix for the Oscars' top awards has been good for broadcast ratings. The Academy Awards' largest audience ever came when James Cameron's "Titanic" swept the 1998 Oscars.Last year's ceremony, where a very different best-picture contender in "Everything Everywhere All at Once" triumphed, was watched by 18.7 million people, up 12% from the year prior.

Source: Economic Times March 10, 2024 10:01 UTC