Oscars 2015: Snubbed Stars to Take the Stage to Buoy Oscar Broadcast

This story first appeared in the Feb. 27 issue of The Hollywood Reporter magazine.

DIVERSITY

The acting nominees are a sea of white faces. But the producers have enlisted a more ethnically mixed lineup of presenters that includes Kerry Washington, Eddie Murphy, Zoe Saldana and Viola Davis.

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DO-OVERS

Snubbed for nominations, Jennifer Aniston and David Oyelowo will show they are good sports by serving as presenters. And John Travolta will be back, too, to redeem himself after last year’s “Adele Dazeem” flub.

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DITTIES

Strike up the band: Frozen songwriters Kristen Anderson-Lopez and Robert Lopez are writing an original tune for host Neil Patrick Harris. And Lady Gaga, Jennifer Hudson and Anna Kendrick all have been booked to perform.