The idea of Kevin Hart actually doing it, is officially dead!
From Collider:
The Oscars host debacle has come to a surprising end, it appears. After spending months looking for someone—anyone—who was willing to take on the thankless gig of hosting the biggest night in movies, the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences selected Kevin Hart to host this year’s Oscars. 48 hours later, Hart stepped down from the gig after being given an ultimatum by the Academy: apologize for past homophobic remarks, or step aside. The tweets and jokes—which had been known for quite some time—gained new visibility in the wake of the hosting announcement, and Hart decided he had already apologized and didn’t want to do it again (truly the sign of someone who is genuinely remorseful). So he dropped out, leaving the Academy without a host less than three months before the big ceremony.
So now, per Variety, the Oscars will forge ahead in unique fashion: without a host. The idea is to have a handful of A-listers introduce various segments throughout the show and participate in “starry skits” that will lean heavily on the theme of music in film for 2018, as expected nominees like A Star Is Born and Bohemian Rhapsody brought music to the forefront of their respective stories (albeit in very different ways).
Plans could certainly change, especially if a huge star somehow materializes and wants the hosting gig, but Variety says the idea of Hart returning is “100% dead.” There was a possibility of Hart coming back if the Academy felt his appearance on Ellen DeGeneres’ show revealed true remorse, but Hart once again played the victim card as opposed to offering any kind of a genuine apology. Moreover, Variety’s sources say the Academy was “furious” at what they call a “mischaracterization” of Ellen’s call with them, as DeGeneres said on her show that she spoke with Academy members who said this was a big “misunderstanding” and would love to have Hart back. Clearly that’s not the case.