Ryan Reynolds and Hugh Jackman on Oscars host wishlist

A lot of categories are up in the air for this year’s Academy Awards, but there’s a clear frontrunner in the “host” race. Deadline reports that the Academy has approached “Deadpool & Wolverine” duo Ryan Reynolds and Hugh Jackman to take on some hosting duties at the 97th annual Academy Awards. According to Deadline, the actors are said to be considering the gig. Will Ferrell, Amy Poehler, and Dwayne Johnson are also in the mix. Gold Derby has reached out to the Academy for comment. 

The plan, per Deadline, is for a “star ensemble of rotating hosts” responsible for a different section of the show, either solo or in pairs. The Academy Awards have had more than one host many times — most recently the trio of Regina Hall, Amy Schumer, and Wanda Sykes in 2022 — but this is a slightly different vision than previous multi-host versions. The idea here is to make it a less demanding gig than it typically has been, which will make it an easier lift for A-listers with packed schedules. The idea that the Oscars would do something like this was first floated by Matt Belloni at Puck last week. 

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Reynolds and Jackman are reportedly at the top of the list for potential hosts. “Deadpool & Wolverine” is the second-highest-grossing movie of the year so far, and having its two stars host would be irresistible corporate synergy for Disney, which produced “Deadpool & Wolverine” through Marvel and airs the Academy Awards on ABC. (Poehler is part of the highest-grossing-movie of the year, “Inside Out 2,” as the voice of Joy. “Inside Out 2” is also produced by a Disney subsidiary, Pixar. Johnson stars in “Moana 2,” released by — you guessed it — Disney.) Jackman previously hosted the well-received 2009 telecast, and Reynolds’ personality and stature are well-suited to hosting the movies’ biggest night. They have great chemistry together, as seen in the blockbuster itself and its press tour. Reynolds and Jackman even guest-hosted four-time Academy Awards host Jimmy Kimmel’s late-night show this summer. 

Deadline reports the duo has sent “mixed signals” about whether they’re actually interested in hosting. 

Kimmel turned down the chance to host the Oscars next year. Comedian John Mulaney, who was a hit at the Governors Awards and on the 2024 Oscars telecast, was also approached about hosting but turned it down. Mulaney is developing a live talk show for Netflix that will premiere sometime around the Academy Awards telecast. 

The 97th Academy Awards are scheduled for March 2, 2025.

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