Steven Spielberg won't read pretend winner name at 2024 Oscars rehearsal: 'It's bad luck!'

Legendary director Steven Spielberg will not be responsible for jinxing anyone’s Oscars chances.

Entertainment Weekly was invited inside the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles on Saturday to watch a portion of the top-secret rehearsals ahead of Sunday’s Academy Awards ceremony. Among the highlights was the Oscar-winning Schindler's List and Saving Private Ryan filmmaker refusing to reveal what was inside his prop envelope.

While rehearsing his presentation for a category we won’t reveal, Spielberg didn't want to name any of the actual nominees as the pretend winner. "It's bad luck!" he told producers, finally naming a legendary past nominee who is no longer living instead.

Elsewhere, Barbie costars Kate McKinnon and America Ferrera were paired for their presentation, staying arm-in-arm and giggly the entire time. “Oh wait, f---, sorry“ Ferrera laughed after seeming to accidentally step on McKinnon’s line. They quickly recovered, with Ferrera later sweetly resting her head on McKinnon’s shoulder before the Saturday Night Live alum struck an exaggerated sexy pose to the amusement of spectators.

Catherine O’Hara and Michael Keaton, stars of 1988’s Beetlejuice and its upcoming sequel, were also matched up as presenters and seemed to have a ball, while Zendaya, looking effortlessly chic as usual, was flying solo for hers, breezing through her lines.

See more images from the rehearsal, including Oscar winner Lupita Nyong'o and the Wickedly talented Cynthia Erivo, below, and tune in tomorrow to watch their full presentations.

The 2024 Oscars, hosted by Jimmy Kimmel, begin Sunday at 7 p.m. ET/4 p.m. PT on ABC. Catch up on all the nominees, plus EW's predictions for who will take home the gold.

Check out more from EW's The Awardist, featuring exclusive interviews, analysis, and our podcast diving into all the highlights from the year's best in TV.

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