Oscars 2019: Dwayne Johnson says he was 'first choice' to host, but was too busy with Jumanji 2

'Academy and I were super bummed but maybe one day down the road'

Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson claims he was “first choice” to host the 2019 Oscars, but was unable to commit due to his filming schedule for Jumanji 2.

The actor wrote on Twitter: ”I was their first choice to host this year. My goal was to make it the most fun and entertaining Oscars ever. We all tried hard, but couldn’t make it work since I’m shooting Jumanji.”

He added: “Academy and I were super bummed but maybe one day down the road.”

ABC’s president has confirmed the Oscars will have no host for the first time in 30 years.

Kerry Burke said that the controversy that led to the decision, sparked by Johnson’s Jumanji 2 co-star, Kevin Hart, and his departure as host after a number of old tweets resurfaced in which the comedian expressed homophobic views, has actually helped keep the Oscars relevant.

“Ironically, I have found that the lack of clarity around the Oscars has kept them in the conversation,” she told reporters during the Winter Television Critics Association Press Tour in Pasadena, California. “The mystery is really compelling. People really care.”

Ah mahalo dude, I was their first choice to host this year, and my goal was to make it the most fun and entertaining Oscars ever. We all tried hard, but couldn’t make it work since I’m shooting Jumanji. Academy and I were super bummed but maybe one day down the road 🥃 https://t.co/eiiMuBNOzb

— Dwayne Johnson (@TheRock) February 6, 2019

She added: “I was actually at the nominee luncheon Tuesday. It was a very exciting room to be in. The list of presenters is phenomenal and growing. In no time in history have three movies that have each grossed over $200 million have been nominated.”

“There is going to be a big turnout for this. There are big popular movies being nominated.”