Not even a full 24 hours after we learned Brett Ratner would no longer be producing the Oscars comes the news that Eddy Murphy has backed out of his hosting commitment. The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences updated their website just a few moments ago to convey the news, and quotes President Tom Sherak as stating, “I appreciate how Eddie Murphy feels about losing his creative partner, Brett Ratner, and we all wish him well.” This suggests Murphy declined the gig because Ratner was no longer involved in it, and conveys that his allegiance remains with the Tower Heist director, despite the comment he made about how “rehearsing is for f*gs.”
The site also reveals a statement Murphy apparently made, which reads, “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.”
