The creative team for the 98th Academy Awards held a press conference on March 11, 2026, confirming the previously announced Bridesmaids cast reunion—marking the 2011 comedy's 15th anniversary with stars Kristen Wiig, Maya Rudolph, Melissa McCarthy and Rose Byrne—and teasing a Marvel superhero gathering. Details on musical performances from nominated films Sinners and KPop Demon Hunters were shared, alongside the show's theme of human creativity and global cinema. Host Conan O’Brien addressed balancing fun with current events.
Executive producers Raj Kapoor and Katy Mullan, along with host Conan O’Brien and other creatives, shared insights into the upcoming 98th Academy Awards during a March 11, 2026, press conference in Hollywood. The event builds anticipation for the March 15 ceremony at the Dolby Theatre, airing live on ABC.
Highlights include the Bridesmaids reunion, first announced last week to celebrate the 2011 Paul Feig-directed comedy's 15th anniversary. The cast—Kristen Wiig, Maya Rudolph, Melissa McCarthy and Rose Byrne (nominated this year for If I Had Legs I’d Kick You)—will appear together. Mullan also promised a Marvel reunion, saying, “We’re going to have superstars, superheroes, and they’re going to be an extra terrestrial on stage.”
Kapoor outlined the show’s theme centered on humanity and creativity. Production designer Misty Buckley revealed a redesigned immersive stage with accessibility features like wheelchair ramps. Supervising choreographer Mandy Moore will orchestrate performances of original song nominees: “Golden” from KPop Demon Hunters, featuring gold flags, Korean drummers and singers; and “I Lied to You” from Sinners, which has a record 16 nominations and will include a tribute with costume designer Ruth E. Carter, choreographer Aakomon Jones, dancer Misty Copeland, and director Ryan Coogler’s musical elements.
O’Brien, hosting for the second time, discussed developing material to entertain while addressing world events like political news. Nominees and presenters reflect global cinema, with heightened but routine security amid an FBI alert on a potential Iranian drone threat.
This continues buildup to the Oscars, following earlier announcements of additional tributes and presenters.
