In the past few years AMPAS, the body that gives out the Oscars, has done quite well finding people to produce the show who have experience in both the film and theatre worlds – and therefore know how to put on a show. So you have to wonder quite what they were thinking when they decided to offer the job of producing next year’s shindig to Brett Ratner, director of the much derided Rush Hour movies and X-Men: The Last Stand, who has no theatre experience whatsoever.
That’s what’s happened though, ang Ratner has accepted the job. He will have some company though, as Don Mischner will also produced, having worked on this year’s ceremony. Ratner commented to THR, “When I first sat down with Tom and Dawn (Sherak and Hudson, AMPAS’ President and CEO), I almost felt like I was in The Twilight Zone. I didnt know what to think. I was just trying to keep my cool. But then when I went to see Don, when I sat down with him, I felt so confident about it. The guy is just a pro. So I feel good going into it.”
When asked why he thinks he was offered the job, Ratner says, “I think my love of comedy had a lot to do with it. To their credit, Tom and Dawn really understand what is needed, and comedy is a big part of it, and I want to make that part of it. I think that is going to be tremendous.”
Ratner might be a good choice if he could add a few action sequences and explosions to the Oscars, but other than that, he seems a rather peculiar choice. But hey, perhaps he’ll reveal that this is what he should have been doing all his life and we’ll get a great show. At least it’ll stop him making more movies for a few months.