The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences just announced James Franco and Anne Hathaway will step in as co-hosts of the 83rd Academy Awards, filling the shoes vacated by Steve Martin and Alec Baldwin last year. I’m sure Hathaway’s involvement with Hugh Jackman’s song and dance number at the 2009 Oscars, which you can see to the right, definitely had an impact on her being called on this year.
Oscar telecast producers Bruce Cohen and Don Mischer made the announcement today saying in a joint statement, “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.”
Franco and Hathaway have both been on the rise as of late with Franco making a major splash this year with 127 Hours, a performance sure to earn him an Oscar nomination and perhaps be the prime competition for Colin Firth’s performance in The King’s Speech. Franco just missed out being nominated for his highly touted role as Scott Smith in Milk only two years ago.
Hathaway has also been earning kudos and love from all corners, primarily beginning with The Devil Wears Prada and Brokeback Mountain, but Rachel Getting Married seemed to be her big breakout performance. Her latest film, Love and Other Drugs wasn’t necessarily received as well, but her performance found a lot of admirers. Hathaway was nominated for an Oscar for Rachel Getting Married and ended up losing to Kate Winslet’s performance in The Reader.
The Oscar will be presented on Sunday, February 27, 2011 with nominations being announced on Tuesday, January 25.
