Following producer Brett Ratner stepping off the 84th Annual Academy Awards, it has been announced that host Eddie Murphy is pulling out as well.

From The Hollywood Reporter:

Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences President Tom Sherak said Wednesday in a statement, “I appreciate how Eddie feels about losing his creative partner, Brett Ratner, and we all wish him well.”

Commented Murphy, “First and foremost I want to say that I completely understand and support each party’s decision with regard to a change of producers for this year’s Academy Awards ceremony. I was truly looking forward to being a part of the show that our production team and writers were just starting to develop, but I’m sure that the new production team and host will do an equally great job.”

Surprising that Murphy was so attached to Ratner. But this will appease those who didn’t want to see Murphy helm the awards.

He had announced he’d host in September.