Julia Louis-Dreyfus is seen at the 65th Primetime Emmy Awards at Nokia Theatre on Sunday Sept. 22, 2013, in Los Angeles. (Photo by Jordan Strauss/Invision for Academy of Television Arts & Sciences/AP Images) | Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP
The Academy of Motion Picture Arts & Sciences apparently had its eyes set on some other people to host the Oscars, according to The Hollywood Reporter. In fact, producers Craig Zadan and Neil Meron reportedly asked three other comedic heavyweights before tapping Neil Patrick Harris, the confirmed 2015 Oscars host.
According to THR, they approached Ellen DeGeneres, who delivered a massive ratings hit during last year’s ceremony. Per THR, DeGeneres refused to host again (it would have been her third time as Oscars emcee). Chris Rock was second on the list, and Julia Louis-Dreyfus also declined.
Despite perhaps not being the Academy’s first choice, Harris was thrilled to take on the challenge. “It is truly an honor and a thrill to be asked to host this year’s Academy Awards,” Harris said at the time. He also posted a video in which he crossed the gig off his long bucket list.
HuffPost Entertainment contacted reps for DeGeneres, Rock and Louis-Dreyfus, as well as Zadan and Meron. This post will be updated if and when they respond.