Brett Ratner's word is his bond -- three months after he resigned as producer for the Oscars, for using a gay slur, the director has followed through on a promise to work with gay leaders to raise awareness about gay discrimination.

Brett met with officials this weekend for the Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation -- and today, they announced a special video campaign (produced and directed by Ratner) in which Hollywood celebs and pro athletes will "come out of the closet" in support of equality.

It's unclear when the video series will be released.

As we previously reported, Ratner -- best known for directing the "Rush Hour" movies -- was at a fan Q&A session for "Tower Heist" back in November when he told the crowd, "Rehearsal is for f*gs."

Ratner was supposed to produce this year's Academy Awards ceremony, but resigned from the position over the gay slur scandal. He has since apologized profusely for his statement.

Billy Crystal just announced ... he's replacing Eddie Murphy as the host for next year's Oscars show.

The legendary Academy Awards host tweeted just minutes ago -- "Am doing the Oscars so the young woman in the pharmacy will stop asking my name when I pick up my prescriptions. Looking forward to the show."

As we previously reported, Murphy backed out from hosting the show yesterday -- after his friend Brett Ratner resigned from producing it ... following uproar over a homophobic slur Ratner dropped at a film screening.

This will be Crystal's 9th time hosting the Oscars.

There's nothing like a good Italian meal to bring friends together --  per esempio, Brian Grazer and Brett Ratner.

Grazer is replacing Ratner as producer of the 2012 Oscars ... after Ratner resigned in the wake of criticism over a homophobic remark he made at a recent screening.

The two dined at Giorgio Baldi in Santa Monica and clearly wanted to show the paparazzi ... no hard feelings.

Brian Grazer -- who produced "Apollo 13" and "A Beautiful Mind" -- has taken Brett Ratner's place to produce next year's Academy Awards show.

Brian signed on moments ago, agreeing to replace Ratner just one day after the "Rush Hour" director resigned .... following uproar over a homophobic slur Ratner dropped at a film screening.

Academy prez Tom Sherak announced Grazer's appointment this afternoon.

Interestingly, Grazer is listed as a producer on "Tower Heist" -- a film directed by Brett Ratner and starring Eddie Murphy, who resigned as the Oscars host just hours ago.

Eddie Murphy is showing the ultimate solidarity with good friend and producing partner Brett Ratner by quitting the 2012 Oscars, which he had agreed to host.

Ratner bailed -- though he may have had no choice -- after making a homophobic remark last week at a screening of "Tower Heist," which stars Murphy.

Murphy says he wanted to do the show and never says squarely he's bailing because Ratner is gone, but his statement leaves little doubt:  "I was looking forward to being part of the show that our production team and writers were just starting to develop, but I'm sure the new production team and host will do an equally great job."

Looks like the Motion Pictures Academy does better with old people -- they're generally a lot safer.

Brett Ratner claims he's officially "resigned" as producer of the 2012 Academy Awards ... after dropping the homophobic F-bomb at a media event Sunday night.

Ratner -- best known for directing the "Rush Hour" movies -- was at a fan Q&A session for "Tower Heist" Sunday when he told the crowd, "Rehearsal is for f*gs."

Now, he's penned an open letter ... apologizing for the "hurtful and stupid things I've said" ... and adding, "Having love in your heart doesn’t count for much if what comes out of your mouth is ugly and bigoted."

Ratner continued, "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."

Ratner says he's been in contact with GLAAD -- the Gay and Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation -- and he promises he will work to "increase awareness of the important and troubling issues this episode has raised."

"I deeply regret my actions and I am determined to learn from this experience."

Tom Sherak -- the President of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences -- issued a statement saying, "[Brett] did the right thing for the Academy and for himself."

He added, "Words have meaning, and they have consequences. Brett is a good person, but his comments were unacceptable. We all hope this will be an opportunity to raise awareness about the harm that is caused by reckless and insensitive remarks, regardless of the intent."

Either Courteney Cox has a secret crush on one of the waiters at Il Sole restaurant in West Hollywood, or she's really in love with their ravioli, or she just can't cook!

The super sexy mom was seen, once again, exiting the swanky joint without hubby David Arquette. This time, the "Dirt" star stopped to sign for some waiting fans.

Also out on the town: "Desperate Housewives" star Eva Longoria, Oscar-winner Jamie Foxx, "Rush Hour 3" director and ladies man Brett Ratner, "X-Men" babe Kelly Hu, and tatty Travis Barker.

TMZ brings you the Chinese New Year installment of Star Catcher!

Comedian Katt Williams got the day started by exiting Newsroom Cafe with his entourage. Come nightfall, Mr. Chow was the place to be, as tennis great Serena Williams, comedian Pauly Shore and "Lost" guest star Bai Ling celebrated Chinese New Year with chopsticks at the popular Beverly Hills eatery.

Nightcrawler Michelle Trachtenberg battled crowds entering new hotspot Winston's, while Nicky Hilton left the lounge through a back exit. "X-Men" director Brett Ratner got hounded by a fan outside of Chateau Marmont, while his former girlfriend, Rebecca Gayheart, made a getaway with a friend in tow.

Check out the whole flashbulb frenzy in our Hyde-free Year of the Boar edition of Star Catcher.

It was a busy weekend in LA as our cameras were out on the town to catch all the action.

We were outside late-night food stop Jerry's Famous Deli when we ran into two former SNLers doing a little bit of munching. Adam Sandler and his funny pal Chris Rock left the restaurant in true comic style, telling jokes and making people laugh.

Next stop for TMZ was the always hopping club Hyde, a hotspot that attracts tons of celebs.

On hand over the weekend were Lindsay Lohan, Good Charlotte, former boy bander Kevin Richardson, "X Men" director Brett Ratner, and former Laker Rick Fox who explains his new profession.

All this and much more in this weekend version of Star Catcher...

TMZ talked with Hollywood's heavy hitters Thursday night at The Recording Academy Honors to find out when was the moment they knew -- without a doubt -- they had officially made it to the big time. Randy Jackson, Bow Wow and 'X-Men: The Last Stand' director Brett Ratner revealed their defining moments.

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