Hollywood's old guard is officially on notice. The 98th Academy Awards isn't just another ceremony—it's a full-blown generational takeover. In a bombshell exclusive, TheEntBase can confirm the Oscars have drafted an elite squad of 11 rising stars to storm the red carpet, signaling a seismic shift in who gets to own Hollywood's most prestigious night.
Meet the new class of Tinseltown: Anna Cathcart (XO, Kitty), Charithra Chandran (One Piece), Auli'i Cravalho (Moana), Ryan Destiny (The Fire Inside), Barbie Ferreira (Mile End Kicks), Mckenna Grace (Regretting You), Ariana Greenblatt (Barbie), Milo Manheim (Zombies franchise), Marsai Martin (Black-ish), Chase Stokes (Outer Banks), and Mason Thames (How to Train Your Dragon). These aren't just plus-ones—they're the main event, walking the carpet before joining legends inside the Dolby Theatre for the live broadcast hosted by Conan O'Brien (ABC/Hulu, 7 p.m. ET/4 p.m. PT).
But the youth movement isn't happening in a vacuum. The Academy is stacking the deck with Hollywood royalty too, including presenters like Adrien Brody, Zoe Saldaña, Nicole Kidman, and a surprise Marvel squad (Robert Downey Jr., Gwyneth Paltrow, Chris Evans, Channing Tatum). Producers Raj Kapoor and Katy Mullan are cooking up viral moments: a Bridesmaids reunion with Maya Rudolph and Rose Byrne, appearances by Pedro Pascal and Jimmy Kimmel, and a cryptic "extraterrestrial" tease that's already breaking the internet (Mandalorian cameo, anyone?).
This isn't just an Oscars—it's a statement. While veterans like Sigourney Weaver and Javier Bardem hold down the fort, the spotlight is shifting to the next generation. The message is clear: Hollywood's future isn't coming; it's already here, and it's wearing couture.
Want to dive deeper? Get ahead of the curve with TheEntBase's The Awardist for predictions, exclusives, and the real tea on who's running Hollywood in 2026.
