Let me tell you a story that might leave you saying, "Wow!" Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson, one of Hollywood's biggest stars right now, was actually the Academy's top pick to host the 2019 Oscars. But here's the twist: it just didn’t work out. Why? Well, life got in the way, and The Rock had to prioritize his work commitments over hosting duties. Let’s dive into this tale of missed opportunities and see what happened behind the scenes.

The Rock's Missed Chance to Host the Oscars

Back in February 2019, The Rock took to Twitter to clarify things after a fan suggested that the Academy should consider him as the host for the Oscars. In his response, the 48-year-old powerhouse revealed, “Ah mahalo dude, I was their first choice to host this year, and my goal was to make it the most fun and entertaining Oscars ever.” He went on to explain that everyone tried their best, but scheduling conflicts with filming for Jumanji [2] made it impossible to juggle both responsibilities. He concluded by saying, “Academy and I were super bummed but maybe one day down the road.”

What Was The Rock Up To?

At the time, The Rock was deep into filming the sequel to the blockbuster hit, Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle, which was a massive success in 2017. The sequel, being shot in Atlanta, featured the return of beloved cast members like Jack Black, Karen Gillan, and Kevin Hart. But here's a twist: Kevin Hart, who was initially tapped to host the Oscars, stepped down after some controversial tweets resurfaced. This left the Academy scrambling for a replacement, and ultimately, the Oscars went hostless for the first time in 30 years.