The 2023 Oscar awards will take place on March 12, and stories surrounding the event and its attendees are captivating audiences.
Whilst we’re all eager to know which films and stars are going to win the esteemed awards, it's the personal facts about the actors and behind-the-scenes secrets that really pique our interest.
From the BTS scoop to interesting facts about the cast and a look at who could potentially be breaking records this year, the team at Betway have compiled a list of facts you might not know about this year’s Oscar nominations.
Harry Styles was already ‘too much of an icon’ for the role of Elvis
We couldn’t imagine anyone else taking on the role of Elvis in Baz Luhrmann’s epic biographical drama other than Austin Butler who starred as The King of Rock n’ Roll.
However, Luhrmann told Australia’s Fitzy & Wippa radio podcast that he considered none other than Harry Styles for the leading role, but passed on the pop sensation, stating “the real issue with Harry is, he’s Harry Styles. He’s already an icon”.
Looks like Harry will have to stick to wearing his rhinestone suits on the stage rather than on the big screen.
Steven Spielberg could overtake Clint Eastwood as the oldest-winning director
This year we may see Steven Spielberg, 76, breaking the record for the oldest person to win the Directing category, a nomination he’s landed for The Fabelmans.
The record is currently held by Clint Eastwood which he achieved way back in 2005 at the age of 74 for Million Dollar Baby.
All Quiet on the Western Front has technically already won Best Picture
This one might seem confusing, but All Quiet on the Western Front, nominated for Best Picture this year, has technically already won it.
Of course, we don’t mean this version of the film. Almost a century ago, a 1930 adaptation of the Erich Maria Remarque novel won the top Oscar.
The only other times this has ever happened, when two different versions of the film were nominated for best picture after previously winning, was with Mutiny on the Bounty (1935 and 1962) and West Side Story (1961 and 2021).
Paul Mescal could become the youngest Best Actor winner
Impressively storming onto the film scene after his critically acclaimed roles in Normal People and God’s Creatures, Paul Mescal is already nominated for best actor very early in what is likely to be a long and successful career.
If Mescal wins the Oscar, he will become the youngest person ever to win Best Actor in a leading role for his starring role in Aftersun at age 27. The current youngest winner in this category is Adrien Brody, who won aged 29.
Two actors from The Banshees Of Inisherin also appeared in The Batman
The critically acclaimed Irish film, The Banshees Of Inisherin, is nominated for multiple categories at the Oscars this year, including Best Picture, acting categories and directing. However, the two actors in this film also both appeared in The Batman (2022).
Another film nominated for a number of Oscars this year, The Batman sees Colin Farrell as The Penguin, the corrupt crime boss, and Barry Keoghan appears in a very brief scene as Batman’s arch nemesis, The Joker.
Brendan Fraser had to wear a 50-300 pound bodysuit for The Whale
Nominated for Oscars in various categories, The Whale, starring Brendan Fraser, follows Charlie, a reclusive and obese English teacher as he tries to repair his relationship with his teenage daughter.
Fraser had to wear a prosthetic bodysuit for his role that weighed between 50 and 300 pounds, depending on the scene. In an interview with Vanity Fair, he said the experience was like wearing a “straight jacket.”
Colin Farrell was injured by his donkey co-star Jenny
Whilst filming for The Banshees of Inisherin, Colin Farrell had an unlikely co-star, the character's pet, played by Jenny the donkey.
However, Farrell revealed in an interview with Empire Magazine that he was kicked in the knee by Jenny for getting too close to her. Ouch!
Angela Bassett is the first person nominated for acting in a Marvel film
Despite the blockbuster Marvel Cinematic Universe being up to its 31st film in the series, no actor has ever been nominated for an Oscar for their role in a Marvel movie.
This is up until now, making Angela Bassett the first person to be nominated for acting in a Marvel film for her role as Romanda in Black Panther: Wakanda Forever.
Michelle Yeoh was once ranked the greatest heroine of all time
Nominated for a leading actress role for her acclaimed performance in multiverse epic, Everything, Everywhere, All at Once, Michelle Yeoh was once ranked the greatest heroine of all time by Rotten Tomatoes.
The action star was ranked first out of 25 actresses hailed for their legendary action movie status thanks to her effortless coolness, and the fact she performs most of her own stunts, including Everything, Everywhere, All at Once.
Brendan Gleeson taught Irish and English at a Dublin school before becoming an actor
Nominated for Best Supporting Actor thanks to his role in The Banshees Of Inisherin, Brendan Gleeson used to teach Irish and English at a Dublin school before his acting career took off.
He was working simultaneously as an actor while teaching, doing professional productions in Dublin and surrounding areas. He left the teaching profession to commit full-time to acting in 1991.
