James Franco and Anne Hathaway Are 2011 Oscars Hosts

The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences is apparently trying to attract younger audience for the next Oscars. The organization announced on Monday, November 29 that James Franco and Anne Hathaway are tapped to host the 83rd annual Academy Awards to be held on February 27, 2011, continuing the double-act hosting technique that Steve Martin and Alec Baldwin did at the 2010 ceremony.

Some say this is a strange choice for neither of them are comedians. However, Oscars co-producer Don Mischer claimed, "They both have a great sense of humor and a great sense of comedy." In a statement, Mischer and producer Bruce Cohen also explained why they landed their choice on Franco and Hathaway, "James Franco and Anne Hathaway personify the next generation of Hollywood icons - fresh, exciting and multi-talented."

Franco's hosting assignment will mark his second appearance at the Oscar telecast while the upcoming ceremony will be Hathaway's fifth appearance. In 2009, the 28-year-old beauty joined host Hugh Jackman on stage to perform a comedic musical number.

Both Franco and Hathaway could be potentially nominated for awards themselves that night. The former has been touted as the contender in Best Actor category for his performance in "127 Hours", while the latter has been discussed as a long-shot Best Actress nominee for "Love and Other Drugs".