The actor, who won for his role in Manchester by The Sea last year, would likely have handed out Best Actress at this year’s ceremony.
Usually – but not always – the previous year’s Best Actor hands out Best Actress, and visa versa.
However Affleck was accused in 2010 of sexual harassment by two women working on the movie I’m Still Here – allegations Affleck denied and settled out of court.
There was some controversy around him last year when he began generating awards season attention, and when Brie Larson (2016’s Best Actress) awarded him his prize, her body language was dissected on social media.
She announced Affleck’s name, then stepped back and stood with her arms still as Affleck took to the stage; whilst others in the room gave him a standing ovation.
Larson later said: “I think that whatever it was that I did onstage kind of spoke for itself.
“I’ve said all that I need to say about that topic.”
Affleck’s decision to stay away – as reported by The Hollywood Reporter via an Academy spokesperson – came after a petition calling for his dismissal reached nearly 20,000 signatures.
“The CEO of the Academy has publicly stated that they are taking our concern into account as they consider the upcoming Oscars,” organiser Cameron Bossert wrote late last year.
The #MeToo movement and the outrage around the likes of Harvey Weinstein and Kevin Spacey has accelerated intolerance towards alleged harassers in Hollywood.
The Oscars are set to take place on March 4.
