Al Pacino says Oscars best picture winner confusion was due to 'a choice by the producers'

The 2024 Oscars ended on an anticlimactic note, and not just because of the winner itself.

Al Pacino sparked confusion — and lots of memes — with the unexpectedly casual way he announced "Oppenheimer" had won best picture at Sunday's Academy Awards.

The "Godfather" star, 83, was brought on stage to announce the final award of the night, best picture, which is traditionally revealed after a dramatic buildup sometimes accompanied by a drumroll for added effect.

Instead, Pacino quickly opened the envelope and immediately blurted out "Oppenheimer" without preceding the film's title by the traditional "and the Oscar goes to." He also did not read the names of any of the other best picture nominees.

"Ten wonderful films were nominated, but only one will take the award for best picture," Pacino said. "And I have to go to the envelope for that, and I will. Here it comes. And my eyes see 'Oppenheimer.' Yes. Yes."

Need a break? Play the USA TODAY Daily Crossword Puzzle.

The audience appeared confused about whether Pacino had, in fact, just announced the winner, and it took a moment for the orchestra to kick in and for the "Oppenheimer" nominees to begin making their way to the stage.

Oscars 2024 winners:See the full list of celebrities who took home Academy Award gold

Al Pacino claims delivery of the Oscars best picture winner was 'a choice by the producers'

The day after the Oscars, Pacino issued a statement explaining why the "Oppenheimer" win was delivered so abruptly, with no mention of the other best picture nominees.

"I just want to be clear it was not my intention to omit them, rather a choice by the producers not to have them said again since they were highlighted individually throughout the ceremony. I was honored to be a part of the evening and chose to follow the way they wished for this award to be presented," Pacino said, according to the Associated Press.

"I realize being nominated is a huge milestone in one's life and to not be fully recognized is offensive and hurtful. I say this as someone who profoundly relates with filmmakers, actors and producers so I deeply empathize with those who have been slighted by this oversight and it’s why I felt it necessary to make this statement," he added.

'Most anti-climactic Oscar win ever': Social media reacts to Al Pacino

Pacino's confusing delivery immediately sparked a wave of memes on social media, as viewers joked that he was trying to wrap the show up as quickly as possible. "Al Pacino had a 7:30pm reservation at Musso & Frank, he needed to move things along," critic Richard Roeper posted on X, referencing the actor's role in "Once Upon a Time in Hollywood."

One X user described this as the "most anti-climactic oscar win ever," while another post summed up Pacino's attitude as, "Sure whatever it's Oppenheimer ok bye bye."

"Oppenheimer" was widely expected to win the best picture Oscar, adding to the anticlimactic nature of the end of the ceremony. Christopher Nolan also won best director for the historical epic, while stars Robert Downey Jr. and Cillian Murphy won best supporting actor and best actor, respectively.

Thanks to Pacino, this was the latest Academy Awards broadcast to end on a confusing, anticlimactic note after best actor was presented last at the end of the 2021 Oscars instead of best picture, only for the surprise winner, Anthony Hopkins, to not even be present to accept the award.

Jimmy Kimmel roasts Al Pacino, wonders if he's ever 'watched an awards show before'

Appearing Monday on "Live with Kelly and Mark," Oscars host Jimmy Kimmel playfully mocked Pacino over his abrupt best picture announcement.

"I guess he's never watched an awards show before?" Kimmel said. "Seems like everyone in America knows the rhythm of how it's supposed to go, down to 'and the Oscar goes to.' But not Al. God bless him."

Host Kelly Ripa also joked that Pacino had cut "like 12 minutes" out of the end of the show with his quick delivery. "We were like, don't open that envelope," she said. "Don't you open that envelope, Al!"

Michelle Pfeiffermisses reported 'Scarface' reunion with Al Pacino at Oscars