A few days ago it was revealed that Brett Ratner has been hired to co-produce next year’s Oscar ceremony. While many wondered whether the Rush Hour helmer was the best choice, he’s already got some ideas for what he wants to do with the show, and one of them is his choice of host.
According to the LA Times, he wants Eddie Murphy to host the 84th Oscars. The actor has apparently expressed interest in the job, although it’s far from a done deal. Ratner needs to present his choice to the Academy and get their okay (he has a meeting this week to try and sell them on it), and then see if he can get Murphy to sign on the dotted.
The actor and director do have a relationship, as Murphy is starring in Brett Ratner’s Tower Heist action comedy starring opposite Ben Stiller, which hits cinemas later this year. So that should make things easier.
Eddie would seem a good choice, and it could well be his opprtunity to prove to the world that he can still be genuinely funny. A deal could be put together fairly quickly, so if Murphy does get the job, we should known in the next week or two.