Following yesterday’s shock announcement that Brett Ratner would be stepping down as the producer of the 84th Academy Awards, it comes as no surprise that the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences announced today that Eddie Murphy would also be leaving the ceremony without a host.
On leaving the gig, Murphy noted: “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.”
AMPAS president Tom Sherak added “I appreciate how Eddie feels about losing his creative partner, Brett Ratner, and we all wish him well”.
Ratner left the job after the critical lashing he received for making homophobic slurs during the press junket for his new film Tower Heist.
This leaves the job up for grabs, and we’re happy to put our hands up. We’ve been working on material for years. Our vote is for Conan O’Brien or The Muppets. Both are long overdue their Hollywood cred.
The 84th Academy Awards Ceremony will be held in Los Angeles on 27 February 2012.
