The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences unexpectedly announced new producers for the 96th Academy Awards. It was believed that the 2023 production team of Glenn Weiss and Ricky Kirshner would return to give the telecast consistency as it continues to rebound from a COVID pandemic ratings plunge. Instead, AMPAS revealed that Raj Kapoor and Katy Mullan, who were part of the 95th Oscars team, will take over as executive producers for the March 2024 ceremony.
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Kapoor, who also has a showrunner credit for the upcoming telecast, is a six-time Emmy nominee who took home a trophy for executive producing “Adele: One Night Only.” He has worked on the Academy Awards for the past seven years and was a producer on this past year’s broadcast. His other credits include The Grammy Awards, The Emmy Awards, and “Norman Lear: 100 Years of Music and Laughter,” among other notable live or pre-tapped events.
Mullan is an executive producer, showrunner, and partner in the global live event production company Done + Dusted. Her credits include the 2012 London Olympic Games Opening and Closing ceremonies, “The Little Mermaid Live!” and “Beauty and the Beast: A 30th Celebration.”
The Academy also revealed that Hamish Hamilton will return to direct the Oscars for the fifth time. He earned an Emmy nomination for directing the 2014 ceremony hosted by Ellen DeGeneres.
Additionally, creative director Kenny Gravillis, production designers Misty Buckley and Alana Billingsley, red carpet show executive producer David Chamberlin, and red carpet creative consultants Lisa Love and Raúl Àvila will return to provide some of that aforementioned consistency.
In a statement, Kramer and Yang praised the duo saying, “Raj and Hamish have been incredible Oscars collaborators, and we are delighted to welcome them and Katy to lead the 96th Oscars. Their deep love of cinema, fresh vision, and tremendous live television expertise is perfect for our reinvigorated show. We’re excited to work with them and our remarkable creative team – Kenny Gravillis, Misty Buckley and Alana Billingsley, David Chamberlin, Lisa Love, and Raúl Àvila – to deliver an exceptional show for audiences worldwide.”
Kapoor and Mullan jointly remarked, “As a Canadian boy of South Asian descent and a girl from London who grew up watching the Oscars, dreaming of being part of it, this is a ‘pinch me’ moment! This has been an exceptional year for the movies, and it’s an absolute privilege to be leading the team celebrating the global film industry and the astounding talents that bring these cinematic stories to life. We’re dedicated to making it a remarkable celebration for all.”
Rob Mills, executive vice president, Unscripted and Alternative Entertainment, Walt Disney Television noted, “Having worked with Raj, Katy, and Hamish on many special and memorable projects over the years, we have full confidence in their vision for the 96th Oscars. Their creativity, infectious energy, and sincere love for the movies will be the ticket to making this year’s ceremony a night to remember.”
It is unclear if Jimmy Kimmel will return to host, as many expect, with the announcement of the new production team.
The 96th Academy Awards will take place on March 10, 2024, and will once again be broadcast on ABC.
