Probably one of the least-anticipated ceremony in the history of the Academy Awards, will hopefully compensate with the “surprises” nominees were warned about during yesterday’s Oscar Luncheon at the Beverly Hilton.

More than 100 gathered in Beverly Hills to “do” the lunch everyone in Hollywood wants to get to “do.” Producers took advantage of the huge number of stars which showed up for the occasion to let them know they are breaking tradition and “are going to take some risks, many risks, some bold” for the ceremony set to take place on February 22 at the Kodak Theater in Hollywood.

The objective of the luncheon was to provide the guests to mix up with each other before the actual ceremony.

Producing the world’s top film awards show this year are Laurence Mark and Bill Condon and it's the first time either of them have produced. Mark previously produced hits like “Jerry Maguire” and “Dreamgirls,” which Condon wrote and directed.

Rather than hiring a comedian to host the ceremony, as it has been traditional of the Oscars, the two brought in Australian actor and song-and-dance man Hugh Jackman, and they have axed the famous opening monologue hoping for more spontaneity.

Sydney Ganis, president of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, told acting nominees in particular to “be prepared,” although he didn’t specify for what. As far as the rest were concerned, he said the producers only told them to “stay alert.”

“Your categories are being presented in a completely different way. Heads up,” Ganis told actors. “Cinematographers, editors, composers. All of you guys. You're in for a big surprise.”

While Ganis and the other awards officials sealed their lips furthermore, nominees had plenty to say during the pre-luncheon news conference.

“I get very emotional about these things, I discover. I think I'm not cut out for this. I'm too emotional to lose, and I'm too emotional to win,” said actress Kate Winslet, nominated in the Best Supporting Actress category for her role as a former concentration-camp guard in “The Reader.”

“I am so happy to be part of a group of people that can work, that can make a living out of this profession that I've loved so much, since I was a little girl, that I really don't want to obsess about winning,” said Penelope Cruz, a two-time Oscar nominee, this time for her role in “Vicky Christina Barcelona.”