Dwayne 'The Rock' Johnson reveals he was first choice to host Oscars but his Jumanji 2 schedule got in the way
For the first time in 30 years, the Oscars will happen without a host, following the controversy with Kevin Hart, but the Academy first reached out to Dwayne Johnson.
On Wednesday afternoon, a fan named Dan Buffa said, 'If the Academy is so inclined to line up a great host for next year's Oscars, just pick @TheRock. Nuff said.'
Later on Wednesday afternoon, The Rock responded, confirming that he was the Academy's first choice, but it didn't work because of his Jumanji sequel schedule.
No host this year: Dwayne Johnson revealed he was The Academy's first choice to host the Oscars this year, but scheduling difficulties prevented him from doing so
'Ah mahalo dude, I was their first choice to host this year, and my goal was to make it the most fun and entertaining Oscars ever,' Johnson, 48, began.
'We all tried hard, but couldn’t make it work since I’m shooting Jumanji. Academy and I were super bummed but maybe one day down the road,' he concluded.
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Johnson just started filming a sequel to his 2017 hit Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle in Atlanta, along with Kevin Hart, Jack Black, Karen Gillan and Nick Jonas returning.
Jumanji sequel: Johnson just started filming a sequel to his 2017 hit Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle in Atlanta, along with Kevin Hart, Jack Black, Karen Gillan and Nick Jonas returning
Since Hart is shooting the Jumanji sequel as well, the same movie Johnson said conflicted with his ability to host the Oscars, it's possible Hart was scheduled to start shooting at a later date.
Hart was announced as the host of the 91st Oscars on December 4, but the next day, homophobic tweets from 2010 and 2011 surfaced.
On December 6, Hart stepped down as host, and while he said he would re-consider hosting, he ultimately revealed on January 8 that he would not host.
No host: On December 6, Hart stepped down as host, and while he said he would re-consider hosting, he ultimately revealed on January 8 that he would not host
Aside from his Jumanji sequel, which is slated for release this coming December, Johnson has a new hit reality series, The Titan Games, which debuted last month on NBC.
He also has a cameo appearance in the upcoming true story drama Fighting With My Family, which is based on the true story of WWE Diva Paige.
And later this summer he returns as Luke Hobbs in the Fast & Furious spin-off Hobbs & Shaw, with Jason Statham, hitting theaters on July 26.
Titan Games: Aside from his Jumanji sequel, which is slated for release this coming December, Johnson has a new hit reality series, The Titan Games, which debuted last month on NBC
Johnson also has Jungle Cruise, where he stars alongside Emily Blunt, which is slated for release on July 24, 2020.
He is also attached to star as the title characters in the DC superhero movie Black Adam and as the pulp comic hero Doc Savage.
He also has The King, where he will play King Kamehameha, the last ruler of Hawaii.
Coming soon: Johnson also has Jungle Cruise, where he stars alongside Emily Blunt, which is slated for release on July 24, 2020
