It will be a ‘late show’ in 2021 for the Oscars

The Oscars show will go on — just two months later than planned.

The Academy announced Monday that the 2021 Oscars will shift to April 25, pushed back from its original date of Feb. 28.

“For over a century, movies have played an important role in comforting, inspiring and entertaining us during the darkest of times. They certainly have this year,” Academy President David Rubin and Academy CEO Dawn Hudson said.

“Our hope, in extending the eligibility period and our awards date, is to provide the flexibility filmmakers need to finish and release their films without being penalized for something beyond anyone’s control. This coming Oscars and the opening of our new museum will mark an historic moment, gathering movie fans around the world to unite through cinema.”

The Academy also extended the availability period for consideration to between Jan. 1, 2020, and Feb. 28, 2021.

The coronavirus pandemic has already upended the ceremony beyond the date, as the Academy changed history by allowing movies to qualify without a theatrical release as theaters shut down.

“The Academy firmly believes there is no greater way to experience the magic of movies than to see them in a theater. Our commitment to that is unchanged and unwavering. Nonetheless, the historically tragic COVID-19 pandemic necessitates this temporary exception to our awards eligibility rules,” Rubin and Hudson said.

The Oscars will air from the Dolby Theatre on ABC.

Last week, the Academy announced a series of plans to confront the #OscarsSoWhite narrative, including expanding the best picture category to 10 nominees.

“While the Academy has made strides, we know there is much more work to be done in order to ensure equitable opportunities across the board,” Hudson said. “The need to address this issue is urgent. To that end, we will amend — and continue to examine — our rules and procedures to ensure that all voices are heard and celebrated.”