Eddie Murphy feeling Oscar pressure

New York - With four months to go until the Academy Awards, Eddie Murphy is already feeling the pressure about hosting the ceremony.

At the premiere of his new comedy film Tower Heist he said he's "excited" about the job but "hoping not to drop the ball".

The film's director, Brett Ratner, is also producing the Academy Awards and approached Murphy with the idea of hosting.

On the comic's to-do list between now and then is to watch some movies.

"What's the front-runner? Who knows?" he asked on the red carpet.

Murphy was nominated for a Best Supporting Actor Oscar in 2007 for his performance in Dreamgirls but lost to Alan Arkin.

The 84th Annual Academy Awards will take place on Sunday, February 26, 2012.