Brett Ratner Resigns as Producer of Academy Awards Due to Racial Slur

According to the Huffington Post, Brett Ratner has resigned his role as producer for the upcoming 84th Academy Awards show.  Ratner recently made some offensive remarks, including a gay slur during a recent Q & A session in which he was promoting his new film, 'Tower Heist'.  When asked a question about making films, the director Ratner replied, "rehearsing is for fags."  The director apologized for his comments after a video of his appearance was posted on NY Magazine. 

In a statement via The Hollywood Reporter, Ratner said, "As a first step, I called Tom Sherak this morning and resigned as a producer of the 84th Academy Awards telecast. Being asked to help put on the Oscar show was the proudest moment of my career. But as painful as this may be for me, it would be worse if my association with the show were to be a distraction from the Academy and the high ideals it represents."

It was Ratner who was credited for bringing in 'Tower Heist' star Eddie Murphy to host this year's Award's event.