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The Oscar winner announced the winner for best film at the Oscars.
Al Pacino presented the Oscar for the best photo in the 96 Academy AwardsBut when the “Godfather” actor took the stage, some thought he might have made a mistake by not naming all the films nominated in the category before announcing “Oppenheimer” as the winner.
“There seems to be some controversy over not mentioning each film by name last night before announcing the best picture award,” Pacino said Monday in a statement obtained by ABC News. “I just want to make it clear that it was not my intention to omit them, but rather a decision by the producers not to say them again, as they were highlighted individually throughout the ceremony.”
“I was honored to be a part of the evening and chose to follow the way they wanted this award to be presented,” he added.
Before Pacino announced the winner on Sunday, he was greeted on stage with a standing ovation from everyone present.
“My friends! Thank you, thank you,” he said when he got to the microphone.
“This is the time for the final award of the night and it is my honor to present it,” he continued. “Ten wonderful films were nominated but only one will take home the best picture award. And I have to go to the envelope for that. And I will… Here it comes.”
“And my eyes see ‘Oppenheimer,'” he said as he opened the envelope.
After a late reaction from the audience, Pacino said, “Yes, Emma Thomas, Charles Roven,” listing some of the film’s producers.
The best picture category was not the only category last night where none of the nominees were named. When “Wicked” stars Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo announced Billie Eilish and Finneas O’Connell as the winners for best original song, they didn’t go back and name all the nominees. However, all the songs in the category were performed that night.
In his statement, Pacino said he recognizes that being nominated for the Oscars is a great moment. Pacino won the Oscar for best actor in 1993 for “Scent of a Woman.”
“I realize that being nominated is a huge milestone in one’s life and not being fully recognized is offensive and hurtful,” he said. “I say this as someone who relates deeply to filmmakers, actors and producers, so I deeply empathize with those who have been slighted by this oversight and that is why I felt it was necessary to make this statement.”