Family Guy creator Seth MacFarlane says he will not be hosting next year's Academy Awards. In his place he has recommended Joaquin Phoenix take over hosting duties in 2014.
MacFarlane took over hosting duties for the Oscars earlier this year. His performance brought middling reviews from critics but show producers reported that they would have loved to have him back for another year.
However, It looks as through MacFarlane's schedule might be too tight to take up another year of hosting duties. He currently works on Family Guy, The Cleveland Show, and American Dad. The former host also has two movies in production. A Million Ways to Die in the West is a western comedy that will star Charlize Theron and MacFarlane. The film is set for release in 2014. A sequel to last year's comedy Ted got the green light from Universal adding to MacFarlane's schedule as well.
McFarlane sent out a recent tweet saying that he was to busy with other productions to host next year's Oscars. In his place he recommended that the show's producers consider Phoenix in his place. The actor is well regarded for his dramatic work in films such as The Gladiator and The Master. MacFarlane's suggestion may have been in jest but the idea could work out considering Phoenix's recent film work.
"Traumatized critics exhale: I'm unable to do the Oscars again. Tried to make it work schedule-wise, but I need sleep," MacFarlane wrote in a tweet.
"However, I highly recommend the job, as Zadan and Meron are two of the most talented producers in the business. My suggestion for host is Joaquin Phoenix."
Phoenix is a well-known dramatic actor who made headlines when he performed a lengthy Andy Kaufman-esque stunt in 2011. The actor released a film titled I'm Still Here which saw him fake retiring from acting to jump start a rap career. His fake retirement came with weight gain, excessive facial hair, and unusual behavior. It wasn't until after the launch of the film that it was discovered that Phoenix was faking the whole thing for the movie.
He was always thought of as a serious dramatic character actor. It wasn't until the release of I'm Still Here that he started to show a flair for comedy. From terrible raps to awkward physical humor Phoenix showed that he had a funny bone, even if it wasn't the most traditional one.