Caffeinated Clint
Prolific film producer Brian Grazer (“Parenthood”, “The Da Vinci Code”) will produce next year’s Oscars, taking over for the shamed Brett Ratner, says the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences. Grazer is hoping Eddie Murphy might rejoin as host (despite quitting following the Ratner incident) and having worked together before – on the “Nutty Proffesor” films, “Imagine That” and now, “Tower Heist” – there’s a chance the legendary funnyman may at least hear Grazer out in that regard. Still, Grazer’s keeping his options open and is said to be brainstorming replacements.
A certain crowd have already put their fabric-doused hands up to host. Yep, the Muppets.
While Disney and ABC, the home of the Oscars, do fall under the same roof, meaning this could actually happen if the Academy got behind it, I don’t seem them going for it. They’ve a permanent wedgie over there at the Kodak.
Grazer’s anointment was outed in the press release issued this morning :
Beverly Hills, CA – Academy President Tom Sherak announced today that Academy Award®-winner Brian Grazer will join Don Mischer as a producer of the 84th Academy Awards. This will be the first time Grazer has produced the Oscar® telecast.
“Brian Grazer is a renowned filmmaker who over the past 25 years has produced a diverse and extraordinary body of work,” said Sherak. “He will certainly bring his tremendous talent, creativity and relationships to the Oscars®.”
“I am thrilled to welcome Brian Grazer as my partner and that we will be collaborating to produce an outstanding show,” echoed Mischer.
“It’s very gratifying to be part of a show that honors excellence in the medium to which I have devoted so much of my career,” said Grazer. “Don is a legend, and I am excited to work with him.”
“I too am delighted that Brian will join Don in producing the Academy Awards and I am looking forward to our producers delivering the movie event of the year,” commented Academy CEO Dawn Hudson.
Grazer has earned four Academy Award nominations. He won a Best Picture Oscar in 2001 for “A Beautiful Mind.” In 1984, Grazer was nominated in the writing category for “Splash,” and he received Best Picture nominations in 1995 and 2008 for “Apollo 13″ and “Frost/Nixon,” respectively. His other film credits include “Spies Like Us,” “Kindergarten Cop,” “The Nutty Professor,” “Liar Liar,” “8 Mile” and “Cinderella Man.” His current projects include the about to be released “J. Edgar” and the just released “Tower Heist.”
Academy Awards for outstanding film achievements of 2011 will be presented on Sunday, February 26, 2012, at the Kodak Theatre at Hollywood & Highland Center®, and televised live by the ABC Television Network. The Oscar® presentation also will be televised live in more than 200 countries worldwide.
