Could it be that for the first time in the history of the Academy Awards both hosts of the show are also up for Oscars? It's possible as the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences just announced James Franco and Anne Hathaway will be serving as co-hosts of the 83rd Academy Awards to be held February 27, 2011. If James Franco's not a sure thing in the Best Actor category he's close to it for his riveting portrayal of a man forced into making the devastating decision to cut off his own arm in 127 Hours (based on a true story). And Anne Hathaway's earning awards buzz for her role as a Parkinson's patient who falls for a drug company rep in Love and Other Drugs (sort of based on/inspired by a true story although her character doesn't actually exist in the source material).In making the announcement, Oscar telecast producers Bruce Cohen and Don Mischer stated: "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."
Both actors have appeared on the show before, though neither has ever hosted. In 2009 Hathaway joined then Sexiest Man Alive Hugh Jackman on stage for a song and dance number that kicked off the show. Both can do comedy and drama and having two young actors as hosts may help the show's ratings. Last year's ratings were up 14% over 2009's, however that was largely due to the Avatar vs The Hurt Locker showdown and most likely not because of the show's hosts, Steve Martin and Alec Baldwin.
The Academy Awards will be held on Sunday, February 27th, at the Kodak Theatre at Hollywood & Highland Center.
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(Photo of James Franco by Frazer Harrison/Getty Images)
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