Horikoshi had an interview in recent Jump Giga Spring 2021 where he answered several questions regarding the future of the story:
https://www.instagram.com/p/COK7A-iJ..._web_copy_link
When asked about what characters will be important in the final act, he remains coy saying that many characters' actions will converge together and to "keep an eye on all of them", but he specifically makes note to namedrop Hawks and Ochaco as the "light of hope", as well as mentioning Shinso, Monoma, Shoji, and Sero as getting big moments.
In reference to "that Exhibition drawing" (the Izuku/Ochaco one), he says that while that's not literally gonna happen in the series, it is still connected to how their relationship would be developing.
He relates writing the tragic Takami and Todoroki family histories to emulating the works of Sion Sonos, and tries to keep in his head not to write too many sad stories at once for the sake of his mental health.
He reveals that he started figuring out the specifics of this final act by around the time he was writing the Endeavor Vs. High-End fight.
He also adds that the scene he had the most fun drawing recently was Endeavor's expression at Dabi's reveal, how it correlates between his "duty as a hero" and his "duty as a father", and how that in that moment he basically becomes "an old fart". Also his favourite character to draw is Best Jeanist.