The Rock Says He Was ‘First Choice’ to Host the 2019 Oscars
“Academy and I were super bummed but maybe one day down the road.”
Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson says he was almost the host of the 2019 Academy Awards.
Hollywood’s highest-earning working actor revealed he was first in line to present at the annual movie industry ceremony after a fan suggested he’d be perfect for the high-profile gig on Twitter.
“If the Academy is so inclined to line up a great host for next year’s Oscars, just pick @TheRock.”
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. 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 🥃 https://t.co/eiiMuBNOzb
— Dwayne Johnson (@TheRock) February 6, 2019
“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 responded.
He added that a scheduling conflict related to production of the Jumanji sequel prevented him from taking the job.
“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.”
ABC, the network that airs the Academy Awards, recently announced that that the show would be host-less for the first time in 30 years. Kevin Hart was originally given the position, but backed out after a round controversy surrounding some years-old tweets from the stand-up comedy superstar that have been criticized as homophobic.
Curiously, Hart is also starring in the Jumanji sequel. That fact led some Twitter users to believe that The Rock is trolling his co-star yet again.
"First choice" more shots fired at @KevinHart4real !
— Chewy (@Chewy9991) February 6, 2019
I can't decide if this is true or another shot at @KevinHart4real being #2 😂😂😂
— Sean (@GenghisSean24) February 7, 2019
Even though he won’t be taking the stage at LA’s Dolby Theatre on February 24, we can all look forward to seeing The Rock race cars and kick ass in the Fast and the Furious spin-off Hobbs & Shaw this summer.
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