Sean Penn will “smelt” his Oscars in public if Ukrainian president not invited to awards

nme.com:

Oscars in public if Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky is not invited to tonight’s (March 27) 2022 Academy Awards.Last week, Amy Schumer claimed that Oscars producers turned down her idea for the president to appear via video link at the ceremony.The comedian is set to host the ceremony alongside Wanda Sykes and Regina Hall, and noted how there are “so many eyes on the Oscars” that it would be an opportunity to highlight the Russian-Ukrainian war.“I actually pitched, I wanted to find a way to have Zelensky satellite in or make a tape or something just because there are so many eyes on the Oscars,” she said (via Yahoo). “I am not afraid to go there, but it’s not me producing the Oscars.”In response, Penn – who is currently in Ukraine shooting a documentary on the Russian invasion – said that if Zelensky does not appear, actors should boycott the ceremony.“If it turns out to be what is happening, I would encourage everyone involved, though it may be their moment, and I understand that, to celebrate their films, it is so much more importantly their moment to shine, and to protest and to boycott that Academy Awards.

I myself, if it comes back to it, when I return, I will smelt mine in public,” Penn said live on CNN.“I pray that’s not what happened.

I pray there have not been arrogant people who consider themselves representatives of the greater good who have decided not to check in with leadership in Ukraine.

So I’m going to hope that’s not what happened, and I hope everyone walks out if it is.”ICYMI: Actor Sean Penn says the Oscars should be boycotted if the ceremony’s planners have decided against having Zelensky on the program.