Those Oscar war protests in full

NO-SHOWS

Aki Kaurismaki
The Finnish director nominated for best foreign film will skip the awards in protest at the US invasion of Iraq. In a letter to Academy president Frank Pierson, he wrote that he could "not participate in the Oscar gala at the same time the government of the US is preparing a crime against humanity for the purpose of shameless economic interests". Kaurismaki is tipped to win the best foreign film Oscar for his deadpan comedy, The Man Without a Past.

Will Smith
Nominated last year for his role as Muhammad Ali, Smith was due to present an award at this year's shebang until he bailed out at the eleventh hour. A statement from his office explained that: "At this time, Will thinks that attending the Oscars would be inappropriate. Given the situation in the world today he believes he is making the right choice." But the actor's publicist was keen to play down suggestions that Smith has been prompted by his active opposition to the war in Iraq: "There's no agenda, there's no speeches. He just felt uncomfortable in attending."

Tom Hanks
A two-time winner and five-time nominee, Tom Hanks is Hollywood royalty and a regular fixture at the Academy Awards - whether he's in competition or not. But he and wife Rita Wilson confirmed yesterday that they will not be attending this year's event. Seeing as Hanks is not normally known for his firebrand politics, the general opinion is that - like Smith - the actor simply feels uncomfortable in joining in the party while war in Iraq is still raging.

THE WAVERERS

There are rumours that Cate Blanchett, who is scheduled to present an award, has now decided not to travel to LA for the event. Her publicist, however, insists that her appearance will go ahead as planned.

The runaway favourite for the best actress Oscar, Nicole Kidman has found herself the subject of unconfirmed rumours that she will skip Sunday's ceremony. This, however, appears unlikely, given her obvious desire to win the award and a notable lack of political pronouncements in her career to date. But if Kidman is a no-show, it will be seen as the night's most significant absence.

THE "SILENT PROTESTERS"

Julianne Moore (nominated for both The Hours and Far From Heaven) and guests Ben Affleck and Dustin Hoffman will attend the ceremony wearing peace signs on the designer clothes. They insist, though, that this will be their one (very subtle) symbol of protest. Otherwise, they shall be keeping their opinions to themselves.

POSSIBLE PROTESTERS

Michael Moore can't be expected to keep quiet if he wins for best documentary, as seems reasonably likely.

Tireless activists U2 are due to play at the ceremony. This may not leave them any space in the schedule for a protest speech, but it would be out of character for them not to register their opinion.

British director Stephen Daldry has said he will not pull any punches if he gets the chance to deliver an acceptance speech. That's relatively unlikely, however, so it's an easy thing to bluster.