By WSJ Staff
- Getty
- Anne Hathaway
Modern day Renaissance man James Franco can add yet another line to his list of accomplishments: Oscar host. The “127 Days” star/”General Hospital” guest star/short story writer/documentarian has been named co-host of the 83rd Annual Academy Awards, alongside actress Anne Hathaway, herself a bit of a double threat. No doubt the “Love & Other Drugs” star will croon a tune or two, given her musical chops; at the 2009 Oscar ceremony, Hathaway performed a song-and-dance number with then-host Hugh Jackman. (Jackman reportedly turned down hosting duties this year due to scheduling conflicts in regards to his participation in the “X-Men” prequel.)
“James Franco and Anne Hathaway personify the next generation of Hollywood icons- fresh, exciting and multi-talented. We hope to create an Oscar broadcast that will both showcase their incredible talents and entertain the world,” producers Bruce Cohen and Don Mischer said in a statement.
The naming of Franco, 32, and Hathaway, 28, as this year’s hosts is in direct contrast to last year’s hosts, the more grizzled pair of Alec Baldwin and Steve Martin, and seems like a deliberate move on the part of the show’s producer to attract a younger audience.
The 83rd Academy Awards will be broadcast Feb. 27, 2011.
Ricky Gervais would be perfect for this audience too.
This was a horrible decision. Anne Hathaway is NOT funny. Being on SNL and having some funny lines written for you does NOT make you witty and possess comedic timing. James Franco - great actor, not right for Oscar host.
Remember when Anne Hathaway stole the opening number of last year’s Oscars right out from under Hugh Jackman? http://gtcha.me/fk9sUO