Brian Grazer is to replace Brett Ratner as the co-producer of the 84th annual Oscars.
Ratner resigned on Tuesday (08Nov11) over a homophobic slur he used during a movie question-and-answer session with fans on Friday (04Nov11) and his pal Eddie Murphy stepped down as host on Wednesday (09Nov11).
Officials at the Academy of Motion Pictures and Sciences aren't wasting any time in naming their new man - Grazer's appointment was released on Wednesday afternoon.
It still isn't clear who will host the Academy Awards next year (12), but movie producer and Oscar winner Grazer has a long history with Tom Hanks, who is one of the people's favourites to front the show.
He has also produced films starring Jim Carrey and Murphy and he is also, ironically, the man behind Murphy and Ratner's new film Tower Heist.
Announcing the news, Academy of Motion Pictures and Sciences President Tom Sherak states, "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 adds, "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."
Grazer has earned four Academy Award nominations. He won a Best Picture Oscar in 2001 for A Beautiful Mind.
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