James Franco On Hosting The Oscars: 'Why Not?'

The Academy Awards usually tap comedians to host their big show, but this year, they went a much different route with James Franco and Anne Hathaway. Why'd they do it? As Franco says, "why not?"

The Oscar co-host -- and likely Best Actor nominee -- spoke with EW about his unconventional role, and what made him take it. In vintage Franco form, it was all about defying expectations.

"When [producer Bruce Cohen] asked me to host, I was very, very surprised, and my initial reaction was 'No,'" Franco said. "Then I thought about it and I thought, well, why not? Because I'll look bad? Well, I don't care."

Of course, given the rarity of a host winning an Oscar, Franco's people were against the move.

"When we finally met and discussed it in person, all my representatives were saying, 'No! Of course not!'" he tells the magazine. "So that always sparks something in me. So I said, 'Yes, of course!' Because that reaction that they have is based on conventional wisdom of what makes a good career. And that can be boring -- really boring."

For more from Franco about the show and what he has planned, click over to EW.com.

Comments

[vegetablelollipop]

08:03 PM on 12/29/2010

J is for jerking us around
A is for annoying
M is for middling
E is for earnest
S is for skeezy

F is for freaky
R is for roach-like
A is for asinine
N is for nettlesome
C is for common
O is for overrated

[karloxcali]

04:19 AM on 12/22/2010

I like James Franco :)

[marred]

05:20 PM on 12/21/2010

I swear I thought this guy was 42 not 32.

[kapalabhati]

03:27 PM on 12/21/2010

Hopefully, because he's going to win one!

[Vinka]

12:17 PM on 12/21/2010

Sometimes I think he has his own private little joke going on.

[Sey Tyler In]

01:15 AM on 12/21/2010

Anne and James are such mesmerizing presences on screen. I think it'll be great!

[yeswecanjane]

07:47 PM on 12/20/2010

I Love James Franco:) And he does comedy. I just watched the movie Pineapple Express. He was hillarious! Also he was a very funny serial killer in General Hospital. He can Act! I can wait to see what he does as the host.

[MikeDu]

06:18 PM on 12/20/2010

I've got no opinion about him as an actor but he does seem to be one of the few Hollywood 'stars' these days who appears to be actually enjoying himself.

[nik101]

05:37 PM on 12/20/2010

Eye candy for 3+ hours!

[goodnewsgophers]

02:02 AM on 12/21/2010

i second that! mmmmh!

[Zackaria Hemingway]

04:32 PM on 12/20/2010

Please don't sing! Good luck-

[dre31]

03:19 PM on 12/20/2010

He dont have to explain why he's hosting it, just host it. Im so glad he's doing it. James Franco is one of my favorite actors. Love him. He is great!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[talker101]

03:03 PM on 12/20/2010

It's because he's hot!

[baristaberry]

05:27 PM on 12/20/2010

That was my first thought as well! :)

[lulumer]

02:47 PM on 12/20/2010

I think James Franco could possibly be great as a host
BUT
with Anne Hathaway (nothing against Anne) could be
a serious disaster. She seems like a very stiff person.

[kapalabhati]

03:26 PM on 12/21/2010

No, she's a freaking hoot! She was on SNL and made lemonade out of the writers' lemons.

[gloriousbeing]

01:07 PM on 12/20/2010

Love him and the way he thinks!

[Gonzo36]

12:59 PM on 12/20/2010

About 12 years ago I had the privilege of working with James on a crappy independent movie that, as far as I know, never made it to either theaters or video. I was the costume designer and had to go to his apartment to pick out his wardrobe for the shoot. I remember he had art work all over an empty dining room and it was AMAZING! James isnt known for being an artist, but I am telling you, if his acting doesnt work out he could be a museum quality artist in the manner of Basquiat. As for James himself, he was by far the best actor on the movie and I remember coming home and telling my husband, this guy is going to be HUGE! Congratz on your amazing career James! Cant wait to see you and Anne host the Academy Awards.

[yeswecanjane]

07:51 PM on 12/20/2010

No wonder he seems so happy! He has many talents and interests! Thank You for telling about your experience with him. It was nice to read:)

[quixoto]

08:11 AM on 12/22/2010

That's what Marla Sokoloff said when she was on a talk show promoting a movie called Whatever it Takes... which I believe is Franco's debut starring role. That was in like 2000, I think, right before Spider-Man.