Adele’s ‘Skyfall’ deserves the award, but MTV News predicts a win for ‘Les Miserables.’
By Josh Wigler
Adele’s “Skyfall” cover art
Photo: Columbia
Tag Archives: Best Original Song
Adele To Perform ‘Skyfall’ At Oscars
We told you she might do it, and now it’s confirmed.
According to the Hollywood Reporter, Adele is slated to perform her Oscar-nominated James Bond theme song “Skyfall”
at the 85th Academy Awards on February 23.
Adele appeared at the Golden Globes
recently to accept an award for the tune, but Oscar spokespeople said that the February performance will be the first time she sings the tune live anywhere and her first U.S. TV appearance since last year’s Grammy awards.
The Oscars will feature a tribute to the Bond film franchise, which celebrated its 50th anniversary this year. The British songbird could have a command performance if “Skyfall” ends up winning the Best Original Song Oscar, since she co-wrote the tune with frequent collaborator producer Paul Epworth.
“It’s an honor to be nominated and terrifyingly wonderful to be singing in front of people who have captured my imagination over and over again,” Adele said after nominations were announced. “It’s something I’ve never experienced and probably only ever will once!”
To date, in addition to the Best Original Song award at the Globes, “Skyfall” has won trophies at the Critics’ Choice Awards, Houston, Phoenix and Las Vegas Film Critics Society awards and it is nominated for British Single of the Year at the February 20 2013 Brit Awards. “Skyfall” is the first Bond song to be nominated for an Oscar since Sheena Easton‘s 1981 track “For Your Eyes Only,” and, according to the Reporter, the first Bond theme to ever debut in Billboard‘s top 10 chart.
Adele has taken an extended break from live performance over the past year after an extended recovery from vocal cord surgery, followed by her pregnancy and the birth of her first child in October with partner Simon Konecki.
Will Adele Return To The Stage At The Oscars?
Will Adele make her triumphant return at next month’s Oscars telecast?
That’s the rumor making the rounds today, after it was announced that the 85th Academy Awards — which air Sunday, February 23 — will feature a tribute to the James Bond film franchise, which is celebrating its 50th anniversary and which (as you’re probably aware) Adele recently became a part of with her song “Skyfall.”
The logic goes that Adele would perform the song during the tribute, marking her first onstage appearance in more than a year. And that might not be the only time she shows up during the telecast, either: “Skyfall” is also on the shortlist of tracks eligible for the Best Original Song Oscar, and is widely expected to pick a nod when nominations are announced on Thursday.
A spokesperson for the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, which presents the Oscars, did not respond to MTV News’ request for comment on the matter by press time … of course, it’s entirely possible fans might be seeing Adele before that show airs: “Skyfall” is also nominated for Best Original Song at the Golden Globe Awards, which will be broadcast live on Sunday.
There’s been no word on whether Adele will perform or appear at the Globes; when MTV News spoke her frequent collaborator (and “Skyfall” producer) Paul Epworth last month, he said he had “no idea” about her plans for the show.
Do you think Adele will perform at the Oscars? Let us know in the comments below.
[News] Rick Ross & John Legend Shortlisted For 2013 Academy Awards
Rick Ross, John Legend and Anthony Hamilton are being considered for Best Original Song.
Rick Ross, John Legend and Anthony Hamilton are a few of the many artists who are included on the shortlist for Best Original Song for the 2013 Academy Awards.
According to CBS Local, Rick Ross‘ “100 Black Coffins” from the Django Unchained soundtrack was included on the list. Additional songs from the soundtrack on the list include John Legend‘s “Who Did That to You,” Anthony Hamilton’s “Freedom,” and Elisa Toffoli’s “Ancora Qui.”
While the inclusion is an honor, there are a staggering 75 songs up for consideration. Additional songs on the list include Katy Perry’s “Wide Awake,” Adele’s “Skyfall” and Black Keys’ “Baddest Man Alive” from RZA’s Man with the Iron Fists.
The final nominees for the 85th Annual Academy Awards will be announced on January 10th.
RELATED: Police Investigating Death Threats Made Against Rick Ross
Madonna Extends Thorny Olive Branch To Elton John
Would a “fairground stripper” extend an olive branch in such a generous manner? We think not.
Whatever Elton John may think of Madonna, the pop diva proved that she has more class than John indicated in recent harsh comments when she extended the olive branch of forgiveness during a recent show in France.
“I’d like to dedicate this next song to Mr. Elton John,” Madonna said on Tuesday during a performance of the song “Masterpiece” in Nice, France in a video posted by Madonna-TV.com. “I know he’s a big fan of it. And I know he’s a big fan of mine. And you know? I forgive him. Gotta start somewhere.” The gesture came on the final show on her European MDNA Tour.
The serious look on Madonna’s face turned into a grin once she finished her absolution, likely because the song it led into is the one that beat out John’s “Gnomeo and Juliet” duet with Lady Gaga, “Hello Hello,” for Best Original Song at this year’s Golden Globe Awards.
At the time, John was clearly mad at the Globes loss and his husband, David Furnish, also lashed out at Madonna, referring to her as “desperate” and dubbing her acceptance speech “embarrassing in its narcissism.”
The pardon came after John said Madonna looks like a “f—ing fairground stripper” in an Australian interview earlier this month. He went on to slam her snag-prone tour
, saying, “she’s such a nightmare … her tour has been a disaster and it couldn’t have happened to a bigger c—.”
James Cameron Settles The Score On ‘Titanic’ Casting Rumors
The success of “Titanic” is undeniable. With a worldwide gross of $1.8 billion, the film is the second highest grossing movie in box office history — just behind director James Cameron‘s other massive project, “Avatar.” The historical film was nominated for fourteen Academy Awards and won eleven, including Best Picture, Best Director, Best Cinematography and Best Original Song.
It also launched the careers of two of Hollywood’s most well-known actors, Leonardo DiCaprio and Kate Winslet.
The 3-D re-release (which raked in an additional $17.3 million during its debut last weekend) brought rumors to the surface that other popular actors had turned down the role.
When MTV News’ Josh Horowitz sat down with Cameron, Horowitz asked about the rumored “Titanic” casting circulating the Internet. Supposedly, Matthew McConaughey was in talks for Jack Dawson and Gwyneth Paltrow for Rose DeWitt Bukater.
“I will neither confirm nor deny,” Cameron said. “I just don’t think that’s cool to talk about actors that either chose not to do it, or were unavailable, or stupidly decided that there wasn’t enough meat on the bone of the character, or whatever it was.”
We bet those actors came calling back begging for another chance. “They should,” the award-winning director said. “They should’ve come whimpering back afterwards and said, ‘I will never second guess you again as long as I live.’ But it’s too late. You got one chance, that’s it. And you might want to think about this next time when you get called.”
And even though the role of Rose follows Winslet everywhere, there’s no doubt it was the experience of a lifetime. She recently told us that she’s glad the film can reach a whole new audience, including her children who will see it for the first time.
But apparently, some audiences didn’t know the movie is based on a true story. After seeing the film in 3-D, people have taken to Twitter to admit they didn’t realize the tragic incident actually occurred.
“That’s shocking to me,” Cameron commented on the news, “that somebody could actually tweet — because it requires some neuromotor capability — and not know that Titanic was a real event, but apparently there are [those] people.”
“It’s a sad comment on our society. However, it does put the onus on us to get the history right. Because it might be the only record a thousand years from now,” the director laughed, “the one disc might be the only record.”
What would you think of “Titanic” starring Matthew McConaughey and Gwyneth Paltrow? Leave your comment below!
Check out everything we’ve got on “Titanic.”
For breaking news, celebrity columns, humor and more — updated around the clock — visit MTVMoviesBlog.com.
Oscars 2012: ‘Man Or Muppet’ Wins Best Original Song
On Sunday night (February 26), Oscar was a man and a Muppet.
Clad in white tuxedos and crashing cymbals, comedians Will Ferrell and Zach Galifianakis presented the Academy Award for Best Original Song to “Man or Muppet” from The Muppets,” with music and lyrics by Bret McKenzie. The ditty bested its only other competitor, “Real in Rio” from “Rio” (music by Sergio Mendes and Carlinhos Brown, lyrics by Siedah Garrett).
“Wow, thank you, Academy,” McKenzie enthused during his acceptance speech. “I grew up in New Zealand watching ‘The Muppets’ on TV and never dreamed I’d get to work with them. I was genuinely starstruck when I met Kermit the Frog. But when you get to know him, he’s just a frog, and like many stars here, he’s shorter in real life.”
“The Muppets” writer/star Jason Segel and new Muppet Walter performed the melancholy song in the film, marking a pivotal (and perhaps even existential) moment in the comedy. When MTV News caught up with Segel on the Oscars red carpet to ask whether he was disappointed that the number would not be performed at the ceremony, the actor assured us that he took it all in stride. “I feel bad for the world, but personally, I can handle it,” he said. “I’m honored to be here, truly.”
The Best Original Song win wasn’t the only Muppets moment during the 84th annual Academy Awards. Earlier in the evening, Kermit, sporting a Brooks Brothers tuxedo, and Miss Piggy, in a form-fitting cream-colored Zac Posen gown, introduced Cirque du Soleil’s cinema-inspired performance.
The MTV Movies team has the 2012 Oscars covered! Keep it locked at MTV.com all night and beyond for updates on the night’s big winners and the best red-carpet fashion. Join the live conversation by tweeting @MTVNews with the hashtag #Oscars.
Cirque Du Soleil Wows 2012 Oscars
There might not have been performances by the 2012 Oscars’ two Best Original Song nominees Sunday night (February 26), but the Cirque du Soleil troupe behind “Iris” stepped up in the performance department.
The group performed a high-flying acrobatics show that paid homage to the decades of films that have been honored by the Academy Awards. Even though the Cirque show seemingly was placed in the ceremony’s lineup in place of the musical performances, that didn’t mean the Muppets didn’t get their time to shine. Kermit the Frog and Miss Piggy presented the “Iris” troupe, but not before they got in one dig about their film not being nominated in more than just the song category. “It’s about time Spielberg leaves some for the rest of us!” Miss Piggy lamented. Unfortunately, her comment wasn’t followed by a shot of Spielberg’s face.
Cirque performed its acrobatic routine against a backdrop of beloved films like “North by Northwest,” “Titanic,” “Spider-Man” and “Gone with the Wind.” Cameras showed George Clooney and Stacy Keibler being enthralled by the show, an homage to the joy of cinema, keeping with the theme of many of the year’s nominees, including “The Artist” and “Hugo.”
After the performance, host Billy Crystal returned to the stage to express how impressed he was. “Wow, I pulled a hamstring just watching that,” he said. “We’re a pony away from being a bat mitzvah.”
In addition to hosting the Oscars, the former Kodak Theatre — now being referred to simply as the Hollywood Highland Center — is home to “Iris” six days a week.
The MTV Movies team has the 2012 Oscars covered! Keep it locked at MTV.com all night and beyond for updates on the night’s big winners and the best red-carpet fashion. Join the live conversation by tweeting @MTVNews with the hashtag #Oscars.
