Comedian Chris Rock is still on board to host the Os-cars this year despite calls for him to join the boycott protesting the Academy’s lack of diversity.
Comedian Chris Rock is still on board to host the Os-cars this year despite calls for him to join the boycott protesting the Academy’s lack of diversity.
Academy Awards producer Reginald Hudlin has, however, revealed that Rock’s opening monologue will address the #OscarsSoWhite conversation in a big way, reported Variety.
Rock reportedly reworked his entire set of jokes when such figures as Jada Pinkett Smith and Will Smith announced they would be boycotting the ceremony, reported Variety. “Chris is hard at work. He and his writing staff locked themselves in a room,” Hudlin said. “As things got a little provocative and exciting, he said, ‘I’m throwing out the show I wrote and writing a new show.’ Chris is that thorough. He’s that brilliant, and I have 1000 per cent confidence that he will deliver something that people will be talking about for weeks.” Meanwhile, Harry Potter star Daniel Radcliffe says the threat of boycotting Oscars is already changing Hollywood. “I suppose in a way it’s alrea-dy been effective because there has been a reaction in terms of the Academy working on changing their policy,” the star said.
Also, Spike Lee applauded the Academy for making changes to increase diversity in its ranks, but said that he is still skipping the Oscars. “We have principles,” Lee said. “I commend the Academy for what they’ve done. But that does not change our mind. The Knicks will be victorious — I hope. I’ll be at the Garden.” Empire actor Malik Yoba became the latest celebrity to openly slam the “So-white” Oscars. She joined the diversity debate, saying, getting nominated at the Oscars should not be considered a “birthright” by people.
