UPDATED: Chris Rock is set to host the 88th Academy Awards on 28th February 2016.
Following yesterday’s reports that Rock was in “serious talks” to host the ceremony, the Academy have now confirmed this to be the case, with producers calling him the “MVP of the entertainment industry.”
Rock previously hosted the 77th Academy Awards in 2005, which saw Clint Eastwood’s Million Dollar Baby take home the top prize of Best Picture. The 2005 ceremony is the second-most-viewed Academy Awards ceremony of the past 10 years, bettered only by Ellen Degeneres’ selfie-mad 2014 show.
Speaking of his return to the Academy stage, Rock said: “I’m so glad to be hosting the Oscars. It’s great to be back.” His sentiments were echoed by the Academy President, Cheryl Boone Isaacs, who described Rock as a talent “whose comedic voice has really defined a generation.”
Since hosting 10 years ago, Rock has gone on to establish himself as a world class stand-up comedian as well as an actor, director and producer in several notable films. He has since been invited back to present awards, most notably when he awarded Rango the Best Animated Feature Film in 2012. During this presentation, he ranted about how easy it is for actors to voice animated films and then get paid a ridiculous amount of money.
His last hosting stint gained general praise from critics, with his monologue – which took jibes at the film industry – being especially memorable.
Watch Rock’s opening monologue from the 2005 ceremony below.
