The Oscar Hangover Mailbag. Plus: ‘Dune: Part Three’ Is Coming! - The Big Picture Recap

Podcast: The Big Picture

Published: 2026-03-17

Guests: Paul Thomas Anderson, Timothée Chalamet

What Happened

Denis Villeneuve's adaptation of Frank Herbert's classic sci-fi saga reaches its conclusion with 'Dune: Part Three', set to release on December 18th. The film will face off against 'Avengers Doomsday', but has already secured all IMAX screens for its opening weekend. The star-studded cast includes newcomers Robert Pattinson and Anya Taylor-Joy, alongside Timothée Chalamet, whose career strategy involves balancing prestigious, genre, and franchise films.

Universal Pictures has announced plans to extend theatrical windows, with major releases spending two months in theaters before heading to P-VOD starting next year. This move is seen as a positive development for cinephiles and the industry, especially after Universal's previous 17-day window implemented during COVID. Meanwhile, 'Hoppers' has grossed $164 million in just 10 days, showcasing a box office up by 14% year over year.

The Oscars telecast was a celebration of the year's films, with many well-liked movies rewarded. Films like 'Sinners', which made $400 million, and 'One Battle After Another', with over $200 million, were in a legitimate race for Best Picture. However, the broadcast faced production issues, such as aggressively cutting off winners' speeches. Future broadcasts will move to YouTube in 2029, raising questions about format changes.

Several actors are being speculated for future Oscar wins, including Timothée Chalamet and Denzel Washington, who each have career paths suggesting potential future accolades. Sean Penn's third Oscar win was a highlight, prompting discussions on who might join this exclusive group, with names like Emma Stone and Mahershala Ali mentioned.

Paul Thomas Anderson addressed criticisms of his film 'Perfidia, Beverly Hills', explaining his perspective on the characters. Meanwhile, John Krasinski announced his involvement in 'A Quiet Place 3', which he will write and direct, and 'Jack Ryan: Ghost War', set to premiere on Amazon Prime. Bradley Cooper is set to star, write, and direct a new 'Oceans 11' prequel alongside Margot Robbie.

The podcast touched on the inconsistency of the Academy's recognition of horror and genre films, despite the genre's longstanding importance in the film industry. Recent wins for films like 'Sinners' and 'Frankenstein' have sparked a conversation about possible changes in the Academy's stance. Studios are encouraged to invest in artists and support the diverse departments that contribute to filmmaking.

Conan O'Brien and Kumail Nanjiani were praised for their hosting skills, and there's speculation about potential Oscar hosts for the 100th Academy Awards in 2028, with Matt Damon and Ben Affleck as potential contenders. The idea of celebrating the Oscars' rich history with a year-long build-up was also discussed, leveraging clips of past moments to engage audiences.

Timothée Chalamet's future prospects, including potential nominations for 'Dune Part 3', are compared to Leonardo DiCaprio's career trajectory. DiCaprio's influence and star power are likened to that of Jack Nicholson, with three Best Picture winners to his name. The positive energy surrounding cinema this year suggests an optimistic future for the industry.

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