Movie producer Brian Grazer has accepted the job as Oscar producer, the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences (AMPAS) confirms.
The “Tower Heist” producer replaces “Tower Heist” director Brett Ratner, who resigned Tuesday night over his use of an anti-gay slur. Then on Wednesday morning, “Tower Heist” star Eddie Murphy stepped down as host, leaving Grazer to pick up the pieces and find a new host.
“Brian Grazer is a renowned filmmaker who over the past 25 years has produced a diverse and extraordinary body of work,” said AMPAS president Tom Sherak. “He will certainly bring his tremendous talent, creativity and relationships to the Oscars.”
Besides “Tower Heist,” Grazer’s most recent films inlcude “The Dilemma,” “Cowboys and Aliens,” and Gus van Sant’s “Restless,” none of which performed at the box office.
Grazer, who won the Oscar for producing “A Beautiful Mind” in 2001, will join Don Mischer, who was already set to co-produce with Brett Ratner.
Murphy withdrew as host the morning after Ratner stepped down for saying at a “Tower Heist” screening Friday that “rehearsal is for fags.” Though Murphy was unequivocal in his resignation, some suggested that Grazer was hired in part to try to lure the comedian back, as the two have history; Grazer produced “Bowfinger” in addition both “Nutty Professor” films, “Life” and most recently “Tower Heist.”