The Rock Almost Hosted The Oscars, A Treat This Planet Does Not Deserve

We could've been in for a very different Oscars this year – one with a host – had the Academy's first choice been available.


On Wednesday (February 6), Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson took to Twitter to respond to journalist Dan Buffa's advice that the show tap Johnson for next year's show. As it turns out, he was actually the initial celeb tapped to be the show's emcee. Unfortunately, the reason he had to just be passing on the show is a pretty frustrating one for fans.


"Ah mahalo dude," Johnson said to Buffa. "I was their first decision to host this year, and my objective was to prepare it the most enjoyable and amusing Oscars ever." Unfortunately, he was unable to create it work thanks to his shoot schedule for the upcoming Jumanji sequel.


"Academy and I were super bummed yet maybe one day down the road 🥃," he mused.


As you're all likely aware by right now, it was comedian Kevin Hart who was originally tapped right after Johnson to take the reins for this year's Oscar ceremonies. He has since chosen to pass on hosting duties right after a whirlwind of a will-he-or-won't-he back and forth that unfolded across Twitter and social media. We've laid that exhausting saga out for your convenience, yet in a nutshell, Hart originally reported he could be hosting the Oscars back in December 2018. He promised to create this event "a special one," which... In several ways, he did.


Following Hart's Oscars announcement, fans had dug into his old tweets, discovering old stand-up material, quotes, and other commentary that was promptly labeled problematic in the realm of LGBTQ rights and women's issues. At first, Hart expressed aggravation with "trolls" and stated that people "change, grow, and evolve" as they get older. Soon, this attitude shifted into a very somber one.


The Academy had issued him a ultimatum: He should apologize for his past comments or he would lose the hosting gig. Soon after refusing to apologize, Hart formally reported he could be stepping down from the Oscars. And that's just the starting of what eventually culminated in a final, concrete decision and appearance on Good Morning America. Hart gave the last word, a resounding no, while in the show. Since then, the Oscars has remained hostless.


Interestingly enough, Hart will be appearing in the newest Jumanji film alongside Johnson. Why Hart initially accepted the role despite what is likely a busy shoot schedule for the film for him as well is unknown, although one thing's for sure: we may have had a potentially magical Oscar night.


If The Rock happens to free up some time between right now and Sunday, we'd certainly like to be able to see him go ahead and take on the hosting role. So far, we're looking forward to, well, all the chaos.