Oscarcast executive producers Bruce Cohen and Don Mischer are underway in their search for host of the 83rd Academy Awards. I'm told that the first person they approached, Hugh Jackman, turned down the offer. Jackman hosted two years ago, and he turned down an overture last year because he didn't want to host two years in a row. This time, Jackman is busy preparing to reprise in the X-Men Origins: Wolverine 2 sequel that 20th Century is mobilizing to begin shooting in late February or early March. The Oscars will be held February 27, 2011. I'm told that Darren Aronofsky was locked in late last week to direct Wolverine 2. Scripted by Christopher McQuarrie, the picture will shoot in New York and Japan.

Jackman turned down the job in the past couple weeks. Last year, Steve Martin returned as host, sharing duties with Alec Baldwin. The approach to Jackman is understandable, given his versatility as a song and dance man, his likability, and his global appeal. Where will Cohen and Mischer go from here? Will they end the parade of middle-aged white guys and set a female host, or a minority? And what about a younger host? We should know the answer soon: last year, the Academy set its host November 3.

http://www.deadline.com/hollywood/

Bummer. I think he would bring a lot of class to the preceedings.