Hugh Jackman Takes the Oscar Stage: A New Direction for Hollywood's Biggest Night

In a surprising move that breaks with tradition, the Academy of Motion Picture Arts & Sciences has selected Australian actor Hugh Jackman to host the 81st Academy Awards ceremony.

The 40-year-old star, recently named People magazine's "Sexiest Man Alive," brings international appeal to a show seeking global relevance. Producers Laurence Mark and Bill Condon explained their choice: "We kept saying how we were looking for Cary Grant or Clark Gable. Then we realized Hugh Jackman had hosted the Tony's so successfully."

This selection represents a significant shift from recent years when comedians like Jon Stewart, Ellen DeGeneres, and Chris Rock took center stage. The producers plan to move away from the traditional joke-filled monologue that often contains industry-specific humor that confuses general viewers.

Jackman's representatives reportedly negotiated carefully about expectations, particularly regarding the opening segment. "He is an actor with big movies behind him," noted one insider. "He didn't work the last 20 years to suddenly be a stand-up comedian."

The Australian performer brings proven hosting credentials, having emceed the Tony Awards three times (2003-2005), even winning an Emmy for his 2005 performance. His musical talents - showcased in his Tony-winning role in "The Boy from Oz" - may feature in the ceremony given Mark and Condon's background with "Dreamgirls."

This choice acknowledges cinema's increasingly international nature, where global box office often outweighs domestic returns. It also addresses concerns following last year's ceremony, which drew only 32 million viewers - the lowest ratings since Nielsen began tracking in 1974.

Reflecting on his unexpected journey, Jackman shared: "Thirty years ago when I was in Sydney watching Johnny Carson host the Oscars with my family, I never imagined that I'd one day have the chance to be up on that stage myself!"

The actor, known for roles in "X-Men," "Australia," and the upcoming "Wolverine," once commented on facing fears: "I've always felt that if you back down from a fear, the ghost of that fear never goes away. It diminishes people. So I've always said 'yes' to the thing I'm most scared about."

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