Oscar Predictions: Best Casting — Why the First Time for This Award Might Be the Most Unpredictable Race of the Season

The 'Dancing With the Stars' Season 34 semifinals episode, themed around Prince, achieved a season high with 7.22 million viewers and a 1.5 rating among adults 18-49. This episode marked the highest viewership for semifinals in seven years, surpassing the previous record set in November 2018.

Variety's Awards Circuit section has released its official predictions for the upcoming Oscars, highlighting films such as 'Frankenstein', 'Hamnet', 'One Battle After Another', and 'Sinners'. These predictions, curated by chief awards editor Clayton Davis, reflect the current standings in the awards race without personal biases.

The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences is introducing a new Oscar category for casting, set to debut at the 98th Academy Awards. This marks the first new competitive category since the best animated feature was added in 2001. The decision follows decades of advocacy for recognizing the essential role of casting in filmmaking.

The Academy is working to nominate its first-ever documentary for Best Picture at the Oscars, aiming to do so without overwhelming the category. The International Documentary Film Festival Amsterdam (IDFA) has become a key venue for campaigning, strategically timed just before preliminary voting opens for Academy members.

The Television Academy has announced the return of the Televerse festival for a second season, scheduled for August 2026. This decision follows positive feedback from the inaugural event, and Academy president Maury McIntyre indicated plans for enhancements based on this year's experience.

Dea Lawrence has taken over as the new publisher and co-president of Variety, succeeding Michelle Sobrino Stearns. She will share the co-president role with Ramin Setoodeh. Lawrence has outlined her vision for the future of Variety as it approaches its next 120 years, aiming to solidify its position as Hollywood's magazine of record.

The Oscars will include all 24 awards in their live broadcast for the 2026 ceremony, adding a new casting prize to the lineup. This decision reflects an effort to enhance the awards show and engage a broader audience.

The latest installment of the 'Paranormal Activity' franchise has shifted away from its traditional found-footage style, opting for live scares instead. Despite the franchise's previous success in creating fear through suggestion and home surveillance, this new approach has not resonated with audiences, leading to a negative reception. The series, once known for its innovative use of technology to depict ghostly encounters, now struggles to maintain its relevance.