Next week, Brett Ratner is supposed to tell the Academy of Motion Picture Arts & Sciences who he wants to host the Oscars. (Remember how he’s producing the Academy Awards now?) And, at least according to Deadline, he’s planning to suggest Eddie Murphy. Of course, a suggestion is just a suggestion Ratner has a co-producer, Don Mischer, who is said to be talking to some “big names” of his own. Murphy’s name didn’t just come out of thin air; the comedian is starring in Ratner’s November 4 Tower Heist. One Deadline source said Murphy was “showing interest,” while another put it much more strongly, calling Murphy’s attitude toward the Oscars “worship”: “Nobody knows movies better or is a bigger cinephile than Eddie. Not Brett. Not even Quentin Tarantino. Eddie can quote scenes from every single movie word for word … He can bring all that experience to hosting.” Meanwhile, others are saying that while Murphy might end up getting the gig, he might have to share it: Veteran Billy Crystal is said to be interested in getting involved in the 84th incarnation of the awards, possibly as a co-host. [Deadline]
