SPECULATION THAT Kevin Hart is to host the next Oscar ceremony was sent into overdrive on Monday (March 2) after the comedian was photographed with last year's host, Ellen DeGeneres.
The 35-year-old appeared to be trying to get some tips from 57-year-old DeGeneres as they dined together in West Hollywood at celebrity favourite, Craig's.
The hangout session comes just over a week after the Ride Along star attended the 87th Annual Academy Awards where he expressed interest in hosting the gala in the future.
Kevin told Entertainment Tonight on the red carpet: “I can’t even hide it, I think it’s in my face. This is my first time being at the Oscars. This is a testament that you're going in the right direction.”
He added: “I’m in awe! I’m a kid in the candy store.”
Hart affirmed his ambition to one day host the annual ceremony by saying; 'I'm thrilled to be here, but I feel that this is that one step. The next step is to come back and host. See I set my goals immediately.”
During the actual broadcast of the Oscars, Kevin gave fans a potential preview when he presented the award for Achievement in an Animated Short Film alongside Pitch Perfect star Anna Kendrick.
Hart, who has hosted a number of primetime events including the BET Awards and MTV Video Music Awards, will be adding another major moment to his body of work when he hosts the highly-anticipated Comedy Central Roast of pop star, Justin Bieber.