Pop hunk-turned-actor Justin Timberlake is being lined up to host the Academy Awards next year, according to reports.

Oscars bosses were wowed by Timberlake's naturally funny performance as the frontman for the Espy Awards last month.

And they allegedly want him to join the illustrious club of Academy Awards hosts, taking over from 2008 master of ceremonies Jon Stewart.

A source tells the National Enquirer, "Justin is more than a singer, he's a song-and-dance man - and turned in a performance (at the Espy Awards) any comedian would envy. Our first question was, 'Can we get him?'

"Justin does it all, and knows how to work a star-studded audience."