KEVIN HART RULES OUT HOSTING THE OSCARS: I CAN'T DO IT RIGHT NOW

Actor-comedian Kevin Hart shut the door on hosting the Oscars in an interview on Good Morning America on Wednesday.

“I’m not hosting the Oscars this year,” Hart told Michael Strahan, one of the morning show’s hosts, citing the lack of preparation time for the February 24 ceremony and the shoot schedule for his next film, a sequel to Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle (2017).

He added: “If I do something, I want to be able to give it my all and make sure that the production is a great representation of me and my talent. I can’t do that right now.”

Talks of Hart being reinstated as host of this year’s Academy Awards was ignited after he made an appearance on Ellen DeGeneres’ talk show last week. DeGeneres implored him to reconsider his withdrawal and said that she had called someone at the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences to vouch for him.

It is unclear whom she spoke to and the Academy never confirmed the call. At the time, Hart said he was re-evaluating the decision to withdraw as host.

He stepped down from his role last month, shortly after getting the job, when several comments that were deemed homophobic had resurfaced from his past. These included posts on Twitter and a joke on a stand-up special.

On Monday, Hart issued his most direct apology about the material to date, on his radio show.

“Once again, Kevin Hart apologises for his remarks that hurt members of the LGBTQ community; I apologise,” Hart said.

HART STEPPED DOWN FROM THE ROLE LAST MONTH WHEN COMMENTS THAT WERE DEEMED HOMOPHOBIC RESURFACED FROM HIS PAST

PHOTO: FREDERIC J BROWN/AFP Kevin Hart has starred in films such as Ride Along 2 (2016) and Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle (2017)