Eddie Murphy Talks Hosting The Oscars: ‘I’m Not Nervous’

Eddie Murphy might have signed up for one of Hollywood’s most scrutinized hosting gigs when he was tapped to host the 84th Academy Awards, but the funnyman is not feeling the pressure.

“I’m kind of looking forward to it, because I haven’t done it. I’m not nervous,” Eddie told Access Hollywood guest correspondent Jill Martin at the “Tower Heist” junket on Saturday.

“I might get a little excitement in my stomach before I go out,” he continued. “It’s a billion people watching, but I’m not nervous at all.”

Brett Ratner, who directed the actor in “Tower Heist” and is also directing the awards show, told Access that having the actor onboard is helping to calm his own Oscar woes.

“I feel completely confident now going in to it. At first I was really nervous about it, before I got Eddie, but then when I got Eddie I said, ‘You know what, I got the greatest stand up [comedian to host],’” the director told Access at the junket. “If you look at the Oscars, the best hosts have been comedians… Bob Hope, Johnny Carson and Billy Crystal were the three best hosts, and that’s what works.”

And what can viewers expect from a Murphy/Ratner Oscars?

“Comedy, humor,” the filmmaker said. “I want it to have humor. I want it to have heart.”

“Tower Heist” hits theaters on November 4 and the Oscars air February 26 on ABC.

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