The first trailer for the 2014 Oscars Paul Feig has been released, and it promises song and dance with host Ellen DeGeneres.
Directed by Bridesmaids and The Heat helmer Paul Feig, and featuring Degeneres and 250 tuxedo-clad background performers dancing to Fitz and the Tantrums, the trailer clearly promises a show from the upcoming Academy Awards telecast. Take a look for yourself below:
Via the official press release, DeGeneres said of making the video, “I had the best time making this. I love Paul [Feig], I love [choreographer Stephen Boss] tWitch, I love Fitz and I like most of the Tantrums.”
Feig added, “To work with Ellen, tWitch Boss, Allison Holker and 250 amazing dancers to the music of Fitz and The Tantrums to promote the Oscars for the Academy of Motion Pictures Arts and Sciences was an absolute dream come true. Just typing that sentence made me giddy and exhausted. I’m going to lie down now.”
While these types of comments are always worded rather carefully for PR filler, it’s clear from the humor in them that we can expect more of that brand of comedy from the actual awards show. The press release also noted that the trailer will run in theaters nationwide starting January 3, 2014.
DeGeneres previously hosted the Oscars in 2007 and was recruited to host again by producers Craig Zadan and Neil Meron after a rather unsuccessful hosting bid last year by Seth McFarlane. Hopefully for all involved this year’s telecast gets a more positive reaction from across the board.