"According to a report by Deadline, Eddie Murphy has emerged as the front-runner to present the 84th Academy Awards ceremony.

Brett Ratner is producing the show this year, and apparently Murphy's is the name he'll be putting forward to Academy president Tom Sherak.

It shouldn't come as a huge surprise to learn that Ratner is favouring Murphy, as the pair have recently worked together on upcoming comedy Tower Heist, a kind of everyman's Ocean's Eleven.

With his background in stand-up comedy, Murphy could certainly bring a bit of much needed energy to the proceedings, not too mention a welcome smattering of 'edge.'

Some rumour sites are reporting Murphy's role as a done deal, although there has been no official confirmation yet. According to Deadline, Oscars favourite Billy Crystal will be involved in some capacity."

Deadline

Thoughts? I think there's no question he'd be better than Franco/Hathaway (man they were terrible)

Yes yes! I agree. I'll take Eddie Murphy over Franco dressed up as drag queen. That was horrible! I wish I can erase that night from my memory.

It doesn't get any more "everyman" than Ocean's Eleven. So Ratner's Tower Heist is aiming even lower. Kind of dumbing it down for the mouth breathers?

How am I not surprised.

It's Brett Ratner, of course it's going to suck.

What, Chris Tucker was too busy?

He's won more Razzies than Oscars.

Not unless they go all out and make it an 80s-themed Oscars.

Who?

I'd love to see Eddie Murphy host.

It could be worse: Tower Heist is coming out this November. My first thought is they were coordinating it with the film release so Murphy could do the Oscars as just another stop on the promotional tour between talk shows.

He better come out wearing red leather.

Sayin'?

First a black president, now a black Academy Awards host? What's next? I KID, I KID. I always liked Eddie Murphy, and my 8-year old kid likes him too, although he doesn't know it (the Donkey from Shrek).

Chris Tucker?! Please! It would take 200 Chris Tuckers to equal ONE Eddie Murphy! Chris Tucker is the bargain-brand, store-named paper towel, and Eddie Murphy is BOUNTY.

Chris Tucker. HA!

I'd love to see Eddie host, as long as they don't "muzzle" him...at the very least he could tell the Academy to go "f$%# themselves" for not giving him the Oscar for DREAMGIRLS.

They could hire Julie Chen and it would still be better than last year.

Murphy hasn't been edgy in over two decades - at least.

^ Exactly. Eddie Murphy edgy in 2011?

He hasn't done a funny movie in decades.
Bad choice.

Yep. I'd heard he was going to get back into standup, which would be awesome, but it never seems to happen.

Eddie just keeps putting out bullshit children's movies.

What a waste of talent.

I agree.

Dirty eddie murphy was much funnier

Glad I am missing them.

That's the only thing I took away from the article as well. "There were too many characters in Oceans 11. It was too confusing."

If wearing a fat suit is their definition of edgy, then yes, Murphy is edgy.

However, since the Oscar's show has become such a joke, I can't see Murphy doing any more harm.

"We're only moments away from the live results of the Best Visual Effects Oscar. Will it go to Harry Potter, the boy magician from across the pond? Or will it be Captain America, the patriotic superhero from World War II?

But first, movie musicals... they're a tradition that dates back to the 1920s..."

Joke's on you -- it's an international broadcast!

I think it's funny how people are choosing to interpret the "everyman's Ocean's Eleven" comment.

I can see Murphy doing a pretty good job. It would be nice to see him break script from time to time. Maybe this could be a way for him to get back into stand-up.