Bob Dylan Reportedly Invited to Speak at the 2025 Oscars

Bob Dylan at the 2025 Oscars

Bob Dylan was invited to speak and attend the Oscars in 2025, where his biographical film Full Unknown received nominations in eight categories.

• Read more: Oscar winners 2025 – Lists

Jokes About Dylan’s Absence

During the ceremony, host Conan O’Brien and presenter Mick Jagger, who introduced the category for Best Original Song, humorously commented on Dylan’s planned but ultimately unfulfilled attendance. The iconic singer-songwriter was not present at the event.

“Dylan wanted to be here tonight, but not so much,” O’Brien quipped during his 13-minute opening monologue.

Later, Jagger remarked: “The producers wanted Bob Dylan, but Bob did not want to,” before performing his own impression of Dylan: “The best songs this year are obviously in Full Unknown. You must find someone younger than the field. Okay, I’m younger than Bob! So here I am.”

Hollywood Reporter confirmed that Dylan was indeed invited to the event. The award for Best Original Song went to Emilia Perez‘s “El Mal.”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ov_otym674e

Mick Jagger from nowhere!!!! He says that he is here to present the best original song because Bob Dylan did not want to! Haha #OSCARS pic.twitter.com/nwoo7a5ywu

– Matt Geniaa (@nextbestpicture) March 3, 2025

Film Reviews and Academy Awards Highlights

In a four-star review from NME, Alex Flud stated: “If you are unfamiliar with Bob, you will leave the cinema eager to explore his extensive catalog. If you are already a fan, the coming weeks will be spent crafting playlists from lesser-known B-sides or researching scenes you weren’t familiar with. That’s why making this film was an ambitious but rewarding idea.”

The 97th Academy Awards were hosted by O’Brien, taking over from Jimmy Kimmel.

This year’s frontrunner is Netflix’s musical Emilia Perez, which garnered 13 nominations, including Best Picture. Following it closely are the epic drama Brutalist and the Broadway adaptation Wicked, each with 10 nominations.

Other notable contenders include the papal thriller Conclave and Bob Dylan’s biographical film Full Unknown, each receiving eight nominations, while the comedy-drama Anora has six nods.

This year’s ceremony will feature a few changes, including no live performances for the Best Original Song category and a tribute to Los Angeles in light of recent devastating fires. Harrison Ford also withdrew due to health issues.