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.