Deadline has learned that when Brett Ratner, the director of such titles as X–Men: The Last Stand, Red Dragon, and all three Rush Hour flicks, meets with the Academy of Motion Picture Arts & Sciences this Tuesday to discuss who he thinks would be a good choice to host the 84th annual Academy Awards, he’s going to push for Eddie Murphy. Ratner was chosen by the Academy in early August to produce the ceremony along with Don Mischer.

This doesn’t mean that Murphy is hosting for sure yet””only that his name will be in the mix with whomever Mischer also suggests. According to sources, Mischer has a plethora of “big names” interested in hosting that he’s talking to.

Many might automatically think this to be the worst idea ever, but, when reminded of Murphy’s long–lost hilarious past, one has to assume he could end up being a surprise hit. In his prime, Murphy was an insanely funny comedian and one of the many legendary Saturday Night Live cast members. His movie choices as of late have been nothing short of mind–boggling, but that doesn’t mean he couldn’t crush one out of the park as a host and remind people why they were fans of his in the first place.

He’s also said to be a bigger movie fan than most others, with an insider claiming that “Nobody knows movies better or is a bigger cinephile than Eddie. Not Brett. Not even Quentin Tarantino. Eddie can quote scenes from every single movie word for word. He can bring all that experience to hosting. Plus he has Saturday Night Live experience before a live crowd. And worldwide the biggest crossover comedians are Will Smith and Eddie Murphy.”

And what of the greatest Oscars host of all time, Billy Crystal? He’s also expressed interest in hosting, but it’s unclear whether he’s actually in the running like Murphy or not. But no matter what, apparently he will be involved in the ceremony in some sort of “marquee” way…though details of what that might mean are currently unknown.

Personally, I like the idea of Murphy hosting. If I could pick anyone to return to their former glory, it’d have to be Eddie, and I see this as an opportunity to shine once again. That said, I’ll always take Crystal to host if it’s an option. The man does it better than anyone ever has, and, apart from some voice acting gigs and When Harry Met Sally 2, we just don’t see Billy as much as we should anymore.

Who do YOU want to see host the Oscars?

[Source: Deadline]