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James Franco and Anne Hathaway to host Oscars

The Academy Awards taps younger hosts in a bid for younger viewers.

Actors James Franco (Spiderman, Pineapple Express General Hospital) and Anne Hathaway (The Devil Wears Prada, Get Smart) have been announced as the next hosts of the Academy Awards.

Oscars producers Bruce Cohen and Don Mischer have said, “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 on February 27. We are completely thrilled that James and Anne will be joining forces with our brilliant creative team to do just that.”

While neither has the track record of hosting usually associated with comedy performers, both have been deemed successful hosts of Saturday Night Live.

But the move is no doubt part of the event’s desire to keep attracting younger viewers.

The Oscars should be airing on Nine next year, hopefully live once again, as well as on StarPics.

Source: Deadline

12 Responses

  1. Interesting move. The Academy is obviously trying to attract a younger audience, but I feel like the two of them aren’t really a great match. Nevertheless, I’m looking forward to seeing the Oscars in February anyway!

  2. As long as they don’t have the same production team as the ARARIA’s they should be fine.

    Grammatically, I had no problem? Maybe you’re Not working hard enough BenJamin? 😛

  3. David, what happened to your grammar? Reading that third paragraph is like solving a Chinese puzzle… maybe you’re working too hard. Great news about James Franco.. I have a friend who looks just like him, now I can ask him about his new hosting gig and maybe score myself a sly chuckle.

  4. Great move by the Academy. I watch every year and I think they are both fascinating choices!! They both have great comedic timing so shouldn’t be written off because they’re not strict comedians!
    Remember Anne performed with Hugh last year anyway!

  5. I’m really not sure about this. Yeah too talented people who can be entertaining, but I really don’t know if either has the chops and charisma to be the host.

    I could just see it being like extended scripted “comedic” banter done by presenters. Then Hathaway will sing.

  6. Matt, James Franco is regarded as one of the most talented young actors in Hollywood, and is a front runner (along with Colin Firth) for the Best Actor Oscar this year for his performance in 127 Hours.

    Actually, considering Hathaway is also getting some Oscar buzz for Love and Other Drugs, it’s interesting that an actor considered a lock for a nomination and another deemed relatively likely to score one of her own are hosting the ceremony. Not that that should preclude them from hosting, though; it’s just curious.

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