Oscars 2015: Neil Patrick Harris hints 'all-white' jokes may be on agenda for his hosting stint

This year's Oscar nominations have been criticised for the lack of black actors

Oscars 2015 host Neil Patrick Harris (Getty Images)

Neil Patrick Harris has made a joke about the all-white Oscar nominations, hinting that diversity gags may be on the agenda when he hosts the star-studded ceremony later this month.

The actor-comedian attended the Academy Awards Nominees Luncheon at Hollywood's Beverly Hilton Hotel earlier today to celebrate the film industry's biggest event with the likes of Eddie Redmayne and Rosamund Pike.

The 2015 Oscar nominees attend the annual Academy Awards luncheon (Getty Images)

But while many great movies look set to be honoured at this year's Oscars, the lack of any black actors on the shortlist has proved controversial. The writing categories were dominated by white men while there were also no women up for Best Director.

The "class photo" of 150 nominees served as a strong reminder of this so, while it was being taken, Harris posted a photo showing the lighting making everyone's faces ghostly white.

"Here's a wrap up of today's Oscar Nominee Luncheon," he wrote. "They all look so white! #toosoon."

The first black Academy president, Cheryl Boone Isaacs, addressed the #OscarsSoWhite outrage after the January nominations announcement, insisting that she was "committed to seeking out diversity of voice and opinion" and will be focusing on reaching out to women and black artists.

Last month, Harris revealed that the songwriting duo behind Frozen hit "Let It Go" are penning a musical sequence for him to perform live on Sunday 22 February.

The Oscars will be televised in more than 225 countries with Sky Movies Oscars broadcasting it live.