Chris Rock had his monologue written for the 88th Annual Academy Awards a week ago, but the recent controversy surrounding the show has him back in the writers' room.
"Chris is hard at work. He and his writing staff locked themselves in a room," Oscars producer Reginald Hudlin told Entertainment Tonight. "As things got a little provocative and exciting, he said, 'I'm throwing out the show I wrote and writing a new show.'"
Big-name stars such as Will Smith, his wife Jada Pinkett Smith and Spike Lee have stated they will not attend the awards ceremony following a second year of all-white nominees for acting and little diversity in the other categories.
Rock refused to step down as host, although some called for him to give up the post in protest. He instead plans to address the controversy from center stage, and the Academy is ready.
"You should expect [#OscarsSoWhite jokes]," Hudlin said. "And, yes, the Academy is ready for him to do that. They're excited about him doing that. They know that's what we need. They know that's what the public wants, and we deliver what the people want."
The Academy has already taken steps toward a more inclusive voting group. It plans to double the number of women and diverse members by the year 2020 and will add three new seats to the board.
The 88th Annual Academy Awards will air on Sunday, Feb. 28 at 8:30 p.m. EST on ABC.
