The 2012 Academy Award Show is starting to look a little naked as host Eddie Murphy has quit the Oscars in solidarity with the resignation of his creative partner Brett Ratner. The comedian and actor follows Brett, who resigned from producing the 2012 show earlier yesterday after he made a supposedly homophobic remark – saying “rehearsals are for f*gs.”
Eddie said in reference to his quitting: “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.”
Tom Sherak, president of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, who are behind the ceremony, said: “I appreciate how Eddie feels about losing his creative partner, Brett Ratner, and we all wish him well.”
Tom added while Brett’s comments – which included claiming rehearsals were for “fags”- were unacceptable, he reiterated he was a “good person.”
Eddie was preparing to host the Oscars – scheduled for February 26 next year – for the first time. No immediate replacement has been announced.
Upon stepping down from producing the show, ‘X-Men: The Last Stand’ director Brett said: “Being asked to help put on the Oscar show was the proudest moment of my career. But as painful as this may be for me, it would be worse if my association with the show were to be a distraction from the Academy and the high ideals it represents.”
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Image credit to Fame Pictures
