Eddie Murphy steps down as Oscar host

Murphy departed in support of Brett Ratner, his "Tower Heist" director, who resigned from the post of co-producer of the Oscars, reports contactmusic.com.

Ratner resigned Tuesday over a homophobic slur he used during a question-and-answer session with fans on Nov 4 and his friend Murphy stepped down as host Wednesday.
Movie mogul Brian Grazer will replace Ratner as the co-producer of the 84th annual Oscars but it still isn't clear who will host the gala event.

Announcing this, Academy of Motion Pictures and Sciences president Tom Sherak said: "Brian Grazer is a renowned filmmaker who over the past 25 years has produced a diverse and extraordinary body of work. He will certainly bring his tremendous talent, creativity and relationships to the Oscars."

And Grazer said: "It’s very gratifying to be part of a show that honours excellence in the medium to which I have devoted so much of my career."