eddie-murphy-backs-out-of-oscars.jpgProducer Brett Ratner stepped down from the awards show on Tuesday, and on Wednesday it was announced that Eddie Murphy will no longer be hosting.

Ratner, Murphy's director in Tower Heist, had brought Murphy on as host. Odds are Murphy did not feel comfortable doing the awards show -- often a gamble for actors' careers (remember James Franco and Anne Hathaway's debacle from last year?), without Ratner by his side.

“I appreciate how Eddie feels about losing his creative partner, Brett Ratner, and we all wish him well,” said Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences President Tom Sherak.

A release from Murphy said:

    "First and foremost I want to say that I completely understand and support each party’s decision with regard to a change of producers for this year’s Academy Awards ceremony. I was truly looking forward to being a part of the show that our production team and writers were just starting to develop, but I’m sure that the new production team and host will do an equally great job."