Chris Rock is closing in on a deal to host the 88th Academy Awards, according to Variety. An official announcement by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts & Sciences is expected soon.
This would be Rock's second time hosting the Oscars. He previously emceed the ceremony in 2005 for the 77th Academy Awards.
The "Saturday Night Live" alum has also worked with the new Oscar co-producer Reginald Hudlin, who directed the pilot episode of his former sitcom, "Everybody Hates Chris." Hudlin will produce alongside David Hill, who the Academy named on Sept. 1.
The producer change came after a steep ratings drop of 16 percent for the 2015 broadcast hosted by Neil Patrick Harris. Hudlin and Hill plan to add "some new elements to freshen the broadcast, while respecting the tradition of the Oscars," they told Variety on the day of the Academy's announcement.
The 88th Academy Awards will be held on Feb. 28, 2016 at the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood.
