AceShowbiz - As the clock ticks down to the 97th annual Academy Awards, speculation continues to swirl around who will take on the coveted role of Oscar host. After stars like Jimmy Kimmel and John Mulaney turned down the gig, the buzz has since focused on a dynamic duo from the "Deadpool" and "Wolverine" universe: Ryan Reynolds and Hugh Jackman.

Rumors have been rife about Reynolds and Jackman potentially joining forces for the Oscars. Reynolds himself addressed these rumors in a recent interview with Deadline, seemingly open to the idea of co-hosting with Jackman.

"This is something I really genuinely would love to do with Hugh," Reynolds stated. He reflected on a previous joint hosting gig with Jackman on "Jimmy Kimmel Live!", describing it as an enjoyable and memorable experience.

"Yeah, we hosted Kimmel together, but we also had just kind of hit, 'F*k it' at that point, we were at the end of a long tour. We traveled in every country all over the world, and enjoyed every second of it. And we go to Kimmel, we didn't even remember the schedule, (as it was) so intense on the tour like that. And so we got to Kimmel, and we just got loose. And it was, I thought, kind of an interesting way to host it," Reynolds reminisced.

However, the actor also expressed reservations about taking on the high-pressure hosting role this year. "A lot of things would have to happen that are kind of amazing. Part of it is that these movies like Deadpool & Wolverine, they consume my life, and I have four kids, and I want to be there. I want to see them, and they want to see me, and I want to walk into school with them, and I want to be able to be there present," he explained, citing personal and professional commitments as potential obstacles.

Moreover, Reynolds candidly spoke about the mental strain of hosting such a major event. "If I were to host something like (the Oscars) as someone who, you know, kind of feels a bit of intense sort of anxiety, I wouldn't be present mentally. I would be kind of constantly writing in my head, or projecting potentially tragic outcomes on the live stage."

Despite Reynolds' cautious stance, the excitement around the possibility remains. After all, Hugh Jackman is no stranger to the Oscars stage, having hosted the praised 2009 show and kicked off the event alongside Anne Hathaway.

Whether or not Reynolds and Jackman will take the reins at the 97th Academy Awards, set to air on ABC on March 2, 2025, remains to be seen. But one thing is clear: the Oscar night is shaping up to be an event full of anticipation and glamour.