Could Eddie Murphy host the Oscars?

Maybe! According to Deadline, Eddie Murphy has been talking with Oscar producers about MC’ing the 84th Academy Awards.

Producer of next year’s ceremony, Brett Ratner, reportedly has his heart set on Murphy and Murphy alone.

The one-time Oscar nominee (who is thought to have lost his bid in 2006 because of the poorly-timed release of the critically reviled Norbit) is said to be entertaining the idea.

As well he should! Not only does he have two films awaiting release that could use the publicity (the Ratner-directed Tower Heist and family flick A Thousand Words), but his waning star could use the lift.

And who wouldn’t want to see Murphy doing stand-up again? Even if it is in highly sanitised form…

Last month, Billy Crystal revealed that he was eager to host the Oscars a couple more times. Deadline reports Crystal will be involved in the ceremony in “some marquee way”.

Discuss: Is Murphy a good fit for the Oscar gig?