Hilary Fox by The Associated Press
LONDON ( Associated Press) – In 2020, Rebel Wilson flew over Australia to present the Best Director trophy at the BAFTA Film Awards.
Her humorous speech, which made reference to the lack of women nominated in the category and was saddened that the box office flop “Cats” was completely ignored, was one of the funniest moments of the night.
Now, Wilson is headed back to the BAFTAs, where she has been asked to host the ceremony on Sunday at the Royal Albert Hall in London.
“I’m very excited, very excited for the BAFTAs for Sunday, but definitely also very nervous because this is a live event and it’s like a whole more complete situation,” she says.
“Even though I was joking about jokes and things, I never actually said them out loud to anyone… so shall we say, fingers crossed.”
And these jokes will certainly be at the expense of a star-studded audience, albeit in a loving way.
“There is a tradition of quips about people. And they’re very successful people, which is why they’re there and they’ve been invited to the BAFTAs,” she says.
“At the end of the day, like I love him, and I love the movies he’s made,” she says. “But yes, as the host, you have to make some jokes too.”
Wilson is avoiding the popular practice of making multiple costume changes because she wants to focus on what’s happening during the ceremony. There will be a special red carpet look before wearing a Miu Miu outfit for her appearance on the stage.
“Dune” leads the BAFTA nominations with 11, “Power of the Dog” has eight and “Belfast” is in the running for six.
Shirley Bassey will open the show with a James Bond theme as part of 007’s 60th anniversary celebration.
Emilia Jones will sing a version of Joni Mitchell’s “Both Sides Now” with signing interpreters—a film nominated for “CODA” and one of Wilson’s favorites this awards season.
As for whether her turn in “Cats” would be referenced again, Wilson joked that she was looking forward to follow-up films.
“Everyone would want to be in a ‘Cats’ sequel, that’s all. Maybe I should use the BAFTAs as just a casting call for ‘Cats 2’.”
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