FOUR-time Oscar host Jimmy Kimmel and front-runner John Mulaney turned down the offer to host the 97th Academy Awards.
With the late-night TV host and comedian dropping out of contention, a handful of celebrities have been selected by fans to host the show in 2025.
Jimmy Kimmel, 56, who hosted the Oscars in 2017, 2018, 2023 and 2024, has decided to leave the show before going on his summer hiatus from Jimmy Kimmel Live!
John Mulaney, who according to Deadline was waiting for the late presenter of the program to pass before deciding, he also revealed this week that he decided to leave his tuxedo in the closet next March.
The former Saturday Night Live writer showed off his hosting skills during Netflix’s live talk show John Mulaney Presents: Everybody’s in LA last May.
After his Field of Dreams speech during the 96th Academy Awards, he instantly became the favorite to replace Jimmy, nearly stealing the show from Jimmy.
The stand-up comedian, who quietly married his fiancée Olivia Munn in an intimate ceremony last month, also attracted interest after doing a stellar job hosting the 14th Annual Governors Awards.
ANTONIO ANDERSON
Anthony Anderson was endorsed by Jimmy to host the prestigious awards show.
According to Jimmy, the black comedian was also considered for the position by the network’s bosses.
“Anthony is well-liked across the network, both as an actor and as a performer,” an ABC source previously revealed to The US Sun.
“He is respected, considered easy to get along with, a great collaborator and friend to many of Hollywood’s top stars.”
Many also praised Anthony for his work hosting the Emmy Awards earlier this year.
“He’s on the shortlist to host the Oscars, especially after his performance at the Emmys.”
“Hollywood celebrities love seeing him live as he has a talent for being sassy rather than sarcastic, with many of them in his jokes,” the source added.
According to the source, Anthony’s appeal across many age gaps is seen as a plus for network bosses.
CHRIS ROCHA
Legendary comedian Chris Rock is also being considered for the role, despite the 2022 awards debacle.
As viewers remember, Will Smith came on stage and slapped the comedian in the face after he made a joke about his wife Jada Pinkett Smith.
OSCAR HOSTS WHO HAS HOSTED MORE THAN ONCE
Presenting Hollywood’s biggest awards show is both an honor and a burden. Even more so if you’ve already done this several times.
- Bob hope: 19 times (14 solo, 5 with others)
- Billy Crystal: 9 times (solo)
- JohnnyCarson: 5 times (solo)
- Whoopi Goldberg: 4 times (solo)
- Jack Lemon: 4 times (2 solo, 2 with others)
- Jimmy Kimmel: 3 times (solo)
- Steve Martin: 3 times (2 solo, 1 with others)
- Jerry Lewis: 3 times (2 solo, 1 with others)
- David Niven: 3 times (all with others)
The following year, Chris was invited by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences to return as host; however, Chris refused.
Although it’s unclear, Chris will likely decline again if asked this year.
DWAYNE THE ROCK JOHNSON
He’s been a professional wrestler, a Disney star, and even a superhero, so why wouldn’t Dwayne want to add Oscar hosting to his resume?
During his acting career, Dwayne appeared at the awards show last year alongside Bad Bunny as host, but has never publicly expressed any interest in taking control of the awards show.
HUGH JACKMAN AND RYAN REYNOLDS
Hollywood heartthrobs Hugh Jackman and Ryan Reynolds were also recently ruled out as a potential Oscar-hosting duo, as the pair bask in the success of their latest film, Deadpool and Wolverine.
Hugh is no stranger to the role of emcee at awards shows, having hosted the Oscars once in 2009 and even the Tony Awards four times.
“I just had a good idea: Hugh Jackman and Ryan Reynolds host the Oscars together,” wrote one fan on X.
Another said: “I would like to see Ryan Reynolds and Hugh Jackman as hosts and Deadpool and Wolverine win an Oscar, that would be amazing.”
NEIL PATRICK HARRIS
How I Met Your Mother alum Neil Patrick Harris is also considered a contender for the top job.
Neil took over the awards show in 2015, but failed to deliver a memorable performance, despite the many musical numbers present throughout the show.
The failure to impress the crowd resulted in Neil not being invited back as host, despite having hosted the Tony Awards four times.
STEVE MARTIN, SELENA GOMEZ AND MARTIN SHORT
The Only Murders in the Building trio are also tipped to potentially host Hollywood’s biggest night.
Many fans of the hit Hulu show praised the trio for their insane chemistry, which kept the murder mystery show going.
Another big plus for the group is that all three have some experience performing in front of a crowd.
Both Martin and Steve come from the iconic comedy show Saturday Night Live, while Selena has performed in front of hundreds of people.
Steve is also no stranger to the Oscars stage, having hosted the awards show three times.
One fan wrote: “Selena Gomez, Steve Martin, Martin Short and Meryl Streep.. These people will definitely be the cast presenters that the Oscars can look for.!”
Another said: “Steve Martin and Martin Short should host next year’s Oscars.”
This story originally appeared on The-sun.com read the full story