Eddie Murphy, who was to host the 84th Academy Awards, has announced that he is stepping down.
The actor’s decision comes in the wake of the resignation of producer, Brett Ratner. The actor and comedian had been signed up by Ratner who had directed him in the action comedy Tower Heist. But last weekend Ratner was embroiled in controversy over his use of a gay slur as well as a number of bizarre and crude comments on the Howard Stern radio show. Ratner apologised and then tendered his resignation but many believed that Murphy would not follow.
In a statement yesterday the actor gave no clear reason for his decision to step down. “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.”
The Academy has yet to find a replacement for Murphy but last evening announced their new producer, Brian Grazer (The Da Vinci Code, A Beautiful Mind) who also produced Tower Heist.
