Kevin Hart Rumored to be Front-Runner to Host Academy Awards Next Year

As if he needed more exposure, Kevin Hart is now the front-runner to host the Academy Awards in 2017. After Chris Rock mentioned his name in the opening monologue of this year's awards, rumor has it that the powers that be are hoping to book the actor and comedian for next year's ceremony.

“The Academy definitely wants to skew a little younger and look a little more hip," the source told HollywoodLife exclusively. "And with ratings down yet again this year, they are already thinking about the host next year. And Kevin is on their radar and the front-runner to host next year. And he would do it 100% if and when officially asked.”

Rock didn't hold anything back during his Oscars opening, hitting on everything from Hollywood's racism to Will Smith and Jada Pinkett-Smith boycotting the show to the possibility of Hart getting the hosting gig.

“No one with a job ever tells you to quit. I thought about quitting, I thought about it really hard," he said in his monologue. "But I realized, they’re going to have it anyway. They’re not going to cancel because I quit. And the last thing I need is to lose another job to Kevin Hart. Kevin makes movies fast … porn stars don’t make movies that fast.”

Hart is one of the most in-demand comic actors. The 36-year-old has been doing back-to-back movies and television appearances; as a result, his net worth has skyrocketed to $62 million. And that figure would get a healthy boost from a high-profile hosting gig like the Academy Awards.