Report: Brett Ratner Out as Oscars Producer

The Hollywood Reporter reports director Brett Ratner is out as producer of the 2011 Academy Awards:

“Ratner had been named as the producer of the 2012 Academy Awards show, but he has been under fire for making a series of ill-judged remarks in recent days, including saying “rehearsal is for fags” and discussing his sex life with Howard Stern.

The Academy is expected to issue an announcement detailing the situation later today. It is not yet known whether Eddie Murphy, who stars in Ratner’s film Tower Heist and was recruited by Ratner to serve as the host of the Oscar show, will remain involved with the production.”

Ratner issued an apology Monday for saying “rehearsal is for fags,” but it appears it wasn’t enough for the Academy.

Update: 4:30 p.m. — After the jump is a statement from the Academy on Ratner submitting his resignation:

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.”

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