Eddie Murphy pulls out of Academy Awards after Brett Ratner gay row

American actor and comedian Eddie Murphy has refused to host the forthcoming Oscars after its former producer resigned over a homophobic insult.

11 November 2011

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American actor and comedian Eddie Murphy has refused to host the forthcoming Oscars after its former producer resigned over a homophobic insult.

As reported on PinkPaper.com earlier this week, X-Men 3 director Brett Ratner had been drafted in to breathe new life into the Academy Awards ceremony, which will take place early next year.
However, Ratner resigned after using the term "fags" at a press conference for his latest film, Tower Heist.
Now, in protest for the pressure placed on Ratner – who made an emphatic apology – Murphy has refused to host the annual show.
Murphy and Ratner are considered creative partners.

Tom Sherak, president of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, which stages the Oscars, told The Guardian: "I appreciate how Eddie feels about losing his creative partner, Brett Ratner, and we all wish him well."
In his resignation letter, Ratner said he had "gotten a well-deserved earful from many of the people I admire most in this industry expressing their outrage and disappointment over the hurtful and stupid things I said in a number of recent media appearances. To them, and to everyone I've hurt and offended, I'd like to apologise publicly and unreservedly. "As difficult as the last few days have been for me, they cannot compare to the experience of any young man or woman who has been the target of offensive slurs or derogatory comments. And they pale in comparison to what any gay, lesbian or transgender individual must deal with as they confront the many inequalities that continue to plague our world."
Actor Billy Crystal has now been confirmed as Murphy's replacement.