‘The Rock’ reveals he was first choice to host Oscars

For the first time in 30 years, the Oscars will happen without a host, following the controversy with Kevin Hart, but the Academy first reached out to ‘The Rock’-famed actor Dwayne Johnson. On Wednesday afternoon, a fan named Dan Buffa said, ‘If the Academy is so inclined to line up a great host for next year’s Oscars, just pick @TheRock. Nuff said.’

Later on Wednesday afternoon, The Rock responded, confirming that he was the Academy’s first choice, but it didn’t work because of his Jumanji sequel schedule. “Ah mahalo dude, I was their first choice to host this year, and my goal was to make it the most fun and entertaining Oscars ever,” Johnson, 48, began.

“We all tried hard, but couldn’t make it work since I’m shooting Jumanji. Academy and I were super bummed but maybe one day down the road,” he concluded. Johnson just started filming a sequel to his 2017 hit Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle in Atlanta, along with Kevin Hart, Jack Black, Karen Gillan and Nick Jonas returning.

Since Hart is shooting the Jumanji sequel as well, the same movie Johnson said conflicted with his ability to host the Oscars, it’s possible Hart was scheduled to start shooting at a later date.

Hart was announced as the host of the 91st Oscars on December 4, but the next day, homophobic tweets from 2010 and 2011 surfaced. On December 6, Hart stepped down as host, and while he said he would re-consider hosting, he ultimately revealed on January 8 that he would not host.

 

The Rock reveals he was first choice to host Oscars

For the first time in 30 years, the Oscars will happen without a host, following the controversy with Kevin Hart, but the Academy first reached out to The Rock-famed actor Dwayne Johnson. On Wednesday afternoon, a fan named Dan Buffa said, If the Academy is so inclined to line up a great host for next years Oscars, just pick @TheRock. Nuff said. Later on Wednesday afternoon, The Rock responded, confirming that he was the Academys first choice, but it didnt work because of his Jumanji sequel schedule. Ah mahalo dude, I was their first choice to host this year, and my goal was to make it the most fun and entertaining Oscars ever, Johnson, 48, began. We all tried hard, but couldnt make it work since Im shooting Jumanji. Academy and I were super bummed but maybe one day down the road, he concluded. Johnson just started filming a sequel to his 2017 hit Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle in Atlanta, along with Kevin Hart, Jack Black, Karen Gillan and Nick Jonas returning. Since Hart is shooting the Jumanji sequel as well, the same movie Johnson said conflicted with his ability to host the Oscars, its possible Hart was scheduled to start shooting at a later date. Hart was announced as the host of the 91st Oscars on December 4, but the next day, homophobic tweets from 2010 and 2011 surfaced. On December 6, Hart stepped down as host, and while he said he would re-consider hosting, he ultimately revealed on January 8 that he would not host.