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The producers of the 98th Academy Awards, Raj Kapoor and Katie Mullan, announced that the Best Casting Award will be presented for the first time during the ceremony scheduled for March 15, 2026, using the "Fab Five" format, which brings together five of the most prominent casting directors.
In an interview with The Hollywood Reporter, the producers confirmed that this initiative is part of their efforts to refresh the ceremony and introduce new elements that highlight the importance of casting in the film industry. They also revealed plans to honor an unprecedented number of late cinema legends since the previous ceremony, in a special segment befitting their stature.
Raj Kapoor noted that the team began preparations for the new ceremony about a month ago, following the conclusion of the 2025 event, focusing on a new stage design that reflects a modern and organic aesthetic, relying on local artisans in Los Angeles to craft the sets.
Katie Mullan emphasized that the production team aims to enhance musical performances and live events to be more interactive and celebratory of films that have made a significant cultural impact, such as IMAX presentations and group singing events witnessed last year.
The producers also discussed challenges related to managing the timing of winners' speeches, stressing their commitment to giving everyone a chance to express themselves within a set timeframe to maintain the ceremony's flow.
It is worth noting that Raj Kapoor and Katie Mullan are serving as executive producers of the Oscars for the third consecutive year. They have won the Emmy Award for Outstanding Production Design for the ceremony in 2024 and 2025, with a new nomination for 2026.