Brett Ratner Resigns As Producer Of 84th Academy Awards

It was just a little over three months ago that AMPAS President Tom Sherak announced (to raised eyebrows) that director Brett Ratner (TOWER HEIST, X-MEN: THE LAST STAND, RUSH HOUR series) would be producing the 84th Academy Awards. “I was so impressed with Brett when I met with him to discuss the Oscar show,” said Sherak. “He has an incredible love of film and its history and is a true student of the business of movies. He’s unbelievably creative and knows how to take risks that are both interesting and inspiring.”

Earlier today, Ratner handed over his keys as Oscar producer after egregiously forgetting he’s working in 2011 Hollywood with a derogatory slur. As Vulture first reported, “After a screening of his film Tower Heist at L.A.’s Arclight Cinemas, the director came out for a Q&A, and when asked by the moderator whether he prepares and rehearses with his actors before shooting a scene, Ratner waved his hand dismissively and said, “Rehearsal is for fags.” ” Really? Who even speaks like that anymore?

The other questionable decision was made by Sherak when he originally stated they would have hung in there with him. To paraphrase, Sherak told Deadline: “Ratner’s comments were dumb and insensitive. He knew it was wrong and he issued that response as quickly as any human being ever has. The bottom line is, this won’t and can’t happen again. It will not happen again. He apologized and we will move forward.” Seriously? Despite what Ratner did or didn’t do, I would have preferred that these kind of hateful remarks are not tolerated and Ratner had been DISMISSED, instead of the resignation statement issued by the Academy. Even more glaring is the director’s apology – a back-pedalling, mea culpa. Someone is trying to to make sure he gets work again.

No word from AMPAS on the status of host Eddie Murphy. For what it’s worth, I think they’ll keep him and they should. Murphy was hired by Ratner back in September and while a new producer could easily replace him, it’ll seem more of a colossal mess if AMPAS gives both the producer and the host the boot. However all this hulabaloo would give Eddie an easy out if he changes his mind.

Academy Statement Regarding Brett Ratner

Beverly Hills, CA – This morning, Brett Ratner submitted his resignation as a producer of the 84th annual Academy Awards to Academy President Tom Sherak. Ratner then issued an open letter to the entertainment industry in which he explained his decision.

“He did the right thing for the Academy and for himself,” Sherak said. “Words have meaning, and they have consequences. Brett is a good person, but his comments were unacceptable. We all hope this will be an opportunity to raise awareness about the harm that is caused by reckless and insensitive remarks, regardless of the intent.”

An Open Letter to the Entertainment Industry from Brett Ratner

Dear Colleagues,

Over the last few days, I’ve gotten a well-deserved earful from many of the people I admire most in this industry expressing their outrage and disappointment over the hurtful and stupid things I said in a number of recent media appearances. To them, and to everyone I’ve hurt and offended, I’d like to apologize publicly and unreservedly.

As difficult as the last few days have been for me, they cannot compare to the experience of any young man or woman who has been the target of offensive slurs or derogatory comments. And they pale in comparison to what any gay, lesbian, or transgender individual must deal with as they confront the many inequalities that continue to plague our world.

So many artists and craftspeople in our business are members of the LGBT community, and it pains me deeply that I may have hurt them. I should have known this all along, but at least I know it now: words do matter. Having love in your heart doesn’t count for much if what comes out of your mouth is ugly and bigoted. With this in mind, and to all those who understandably feel that apologies are not enough, please know that I will be taking real action over the coming weeks and months in an effort to do everything I can both professionally and personally to help stamp out the kind of thoughtless bigotry I’ve so foolishly perpetuated.

As a first step, I called Tom Sherak this morning and resigned as a producer of the 84th Academy Awards telecast. Being asked to help put on the Oscar show was the proudest moment of my career. But as painful as this may be for me, it would be worse if my association with the show were to be a distraction from the Academy and the high ideals it represents.

I am grateful to GLAAD for engaging me in a dialogue about what we can do together to increase awareness of the important and troubling issues this episode has raised and I look forward to working with them. I am incredibly lucky to have a career in this business that I love with all of my heart and to be able to work alongside so many of my heroes. I deeply regret my actions and I am determined to learn from this experience.

Sincerely,

Brett Ratner

Whoever gets the new producing gig – one thing is for sure. The person replacing Ratner has a lot of work to do and very little time until the 84th Academy Awards on February 26, 2012.