Wolverine to Host The Oscars, Bub
December 12, 2008 by brian
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The Academy is hoping X-Men star Hugh Jackman, like the big screen superhero he plays, is the “best there is at what he does.” The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences today announced the somewhat unconventional pick of Jackman to host the 81st Academy Awards.
The Oscars usually go for a standup comic like Robin Williams or Whoopi Goldberg. Daily Show host Jon Stewart did the honors last year. Jackman is not without hosting experience as he has won an Emmy for hosting the Tony Awards. Jackman is an accomplished Broadway star but to legions upon legions of comic book fans, he’ll always be best known as Wolverine.
The wise cracking, cigar-chomping mutant has always been a breakout character and Marvel Comics has taken notice. The first thing the company did with the X-franchise after finishing the first three films was greenlight a Wolverine spinoff movie. X-Men Origins:Wolverine hits cinemas in May.
Wolverine will also take his show to Nickelodeon January 23 in the new cartoon Wolverine and the X-Men. In the comic books, the character has been very much a loner who likes to fight his own battles. But this cartoon is selling him as a team leader. Marvel sees a chance to catapult Wolverine to the same status of recognition as Spider-Man or Superman. Obviously, Marvel didn’t have anything to do with the Oscar hosting decision. But with a new Wolverine movie coming out in summer 09, you better believe they’ll take the publicity.
Let me be the first to say that I am actually going to watch the Oscars just to see Hugh Jackman… he is soooo yummy!!
He may be very pleasing to the eyes 4 the ladies, but he’ll have 2 develop his comedic skills or the producers hire some great writers 4 him because it takes more that good looks to keep viewers tuned in 3hrs of stars reading nominee lists all night.
–Godspeed–
Part of the problem is the Oscar telecast is hopelessly bloated and mostly rewards movies that no one saw.
Jackman will at least give them some pop culture to joke about and reference. I still don’t know if he’ll do anything for the ratings.