Why Hugh Jackman and Ryan Reynolds Won't Be Hosting the Oscars This Year

Good news seems hard to come by these days. Every time I pick up my phone or open my computer, I'm bombarded with reminders that the worst may still be ahead. But there’s no giving up! The fight continues, even if a little good news would be refreshing. Something positive has to be happening—or, in this case, *not* happening.

Let me start by saying that I genuinely enjoy Hugh Jackman and Ryan Reynolds. They’re both talented actors when they put in the effort. The issue is that one of them seems to try harder than the other (though the other *used to*—I think). Their friendly feud is entertaining, and I was genuinely looking forward to *Deadpool & Wolverine.* I’m a busy and exhausted dad to young twins, yet I still made it to the opening weekend. I thought the movie was okay! What frustrated me most was feeling it had the potential to be truly great.

The superhero team-up had everything going for it: two A-list actors with fantastic chemistry, iconic characters with a rich cinematic legacy, and all the hype fans could want. The announcement of their pairing came nearly two years before the release date (two years exactly initially, though the film was later moved up). They had ample time to refine the script and deliver something more impactful than the typical comic book movie. Yet, we ended up with over twenty minutes of heavy exposition.

Every scene featuring Matthew Macfayden seemed to drag the film down—a frustrating fact that I never thought I'd have to write. The emotional core, focused on two characters searching for love and acceptance but struggling to see it in each other, had so much potential, especially with actors like Jackman and Reynolds. I wasn’t looking for another *Logan*, but something with the depth of *Spider-Man: No Way Home*, which set a high standard for films connecting multiple decades of continuity, would have been ideal.

Jackman and Reynolds played it safe and raked in cash—a strategy they'd likely stick to if they ever hosted the Oscars. Recently, Reynolds addressed the hosting rumors in an interview with *Deadline*, responding in his usual style. "I love how you skipped past the other headline: ‘Giant Bag Of Blood Ryan Reynolds Fails Again,’" he joked. He then acknowledged the Oscars buzz, saying, "I’d genuinely love to do it with Hugh." He recalled the time they co-hosted *Jimmy Kimmel Live!* together, noting how they’d reached a point of exhaustion after a worldwide tour and ended up improvising. “We didn’t even remember the schedule,” Reynolds said. “We just got loose. I thought it was an interesting way to host.”

If that answer sounds a bit scattered, it’s because he wasn’t quite finished. Reynolds elaborated, comparing his vision of an Oscars hosting gig to old AFI dinners where people would gather and roast each other. “It’s the vibe you hope the Oscars could have—a bit of a roast, a loose, enjoyable experience,” he explained. But he admitted it’s increasingly challenging to keep traditional telecasts engaging. While he said he’d love to host someday, he’s unsure if that day is soon.

Pressed further, Reynolds admitted that hosting would conflict with his priorities. Balancing his demanding career with family time, he explained, means choosing projects carefully. For an event like the Oscars, he’d likely be preoccupied with joke-writing, making it difficult to stay present at home. For someone who claims he’d love to host the Oscars "one day," his answers suggest he might not actually be interested.

That’s perfectly fine! If he hosted the Oscars with Jackman they’d likely play it even safer than they did with their buddy superhero movie, a place where they could have done whatever they wanted and still get adulation hurled at them. But, when you’re more brand than actor, ya gotta protect that image at all costs.