A host for next year’s Academy Awards is being headhunted, after the role was declined by chatshow host Jimmy Kimmel – whose stint in March marked his fourth time in the role – and comedian John Mulaney.

Mulaney had been tipped by many, after praise for his stint as a presenter in the March ceremony, in which he delivered an extended riff on the Kevin Costner film Field of Dreams. He also hosted the Governors Awards in January, which award honorary Oscars.

Speaking to Variety in June, Academy CEO Bill Kramer appeared to tip him for the job, saying: “We are lucky to have Jimmy [Kimmel], who helped create one of the best Oscars last year. John Mulaney also did an incredible job. All I will say is, with whomever hosts the show moving forward, we want to continue with this tone of celebration, respect, humour and a great love of movies. We have some great options.”

The website Puck, which first reported the news, suggested Mulaney had passed on an offer because of concerns over his workload.

The most prolific Oscars host was Bob Hope, who took charge of the ceremony 19 times. Billy Crystal managed nine, Johnny Carson five and Kimmel, Whoopi Goldberg and Jack Lemmon all racked up four.

The Golden Globes in January are also seeking a host, following Jo Koy’s appallingly reviewed stint earlier this year. Previous hosts include the ecstatically received Tina Fey and Amy Poehler, as well as Ricky Gervais’s acclaimed tenure.

Key awards contenders this year look set to include sequels to Gladiator and Joker, as well as Bob Dylan biopic A Complete Unknown, papal drama Conclave, Joshua Oppenheimer’s apocalyptic musical The End, Nightbitch with Amy Adams, Luca Guadagnino’s Queer starring Daniel Craig and Pablo Larraín’s Maria, with Angelina Jolie.

The Oscars ceremony will take place on 2 March.