BREAKING: Eddie Murphy OUT As Oscar Host
Only a day after Brett Ratner resigned as the 2012 Oscars producer, it is being reported that Eddie Murphy is officially out as the Oscars’ host.
According to Deadline, Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences President Tom Sherak just announced that Murphy has withdrawn as host of the 84th Annual ceremony, saying, “I appreciate how Eddie feels about losing his creative partner, Brett Ratner, and we all wish him well.”
Murphy also released a statement, saying,
“First and foremost I want to say that I completely understand and support each party’s decision with regard to a change of producers for this year’s Academy Awards ceremony. I was truly looking forward to being a part of the show that our production team and writers were just starting to develop, but I’m sure that the new production team and host will do an equally great job.”
Ratner resigned yesterday morning after a major backlash over an anti-gay slur and a very in-depth, salacious discussion about his sex life on Howard Stern. This only gives the Academy a little over three months to recover with both a new producer and a new host. And for any fan of Murphy, you’ll know that this was just another step for him in what seems to be a huge career comeback.
The 84th Annual Academy Awards will air Sunday, February 26, 2012.