James Franco — soon-to-be Dr. Franco (“for the signatures,” of course, according to the actor) — appeared on Jimmy Kimmel Live! last night to chat school, 127 Hours, and his upcoming surprise stint hosting the Oscars. So how did his latest resumé builder come about? “I never thought I would do it,” said Franco, who is pals with ceremony producer Bruce Cohen, who produced Milk. “About two weeks ago he called up and said, ‘I got it. I got it. I know what I want you to do … I want you to host.’ That was a shock. And at first my immediate reaction was like, well, no. I mean, I can’t! But then I thought, well, of course I have to do it. It’s kind of a once-in-a-lifetime thing.”
According to Franco, the timing was everything as well. Not only does the ceremony not conflict with the actor’s finals at Yale, but the 32-year-old Franco thinks his youth will only serve as a benefit. “I think it’s better to do when I’m young,” he said. “It’s not like it’s publicity or a push for my career, or like, get people to remember me after I’ve like faded away or something like that … It’s really for the experience.” (Hey, if there’s anything we know about TV actor/film actor/soap opera actor/student/teacher Franco, it’s that he likes new experiences.) Aside from discussing his possible nomination — he thinks hosting while nominated will “be taking the pressure off” — Franco also admitted that he has yet to even meet co-host Anne Hathaway. But never fear, the two have texted: “We’re text message buddies. We have good text chemistry.” Watch the four-part interview after the jump.
Bonus fun fact: Franco told Kimmel that he had asked former Oscar producer Bill Condon if he could appear in the The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn, which Condon is directing. Condon’s answer? “He turned me down.” Well, that bites.
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James Franco and Anne Hathaway to host Oscars
Will James Franco and Anne Hathaway make you more likely to watch the Oscars?
“Hint: Team Edward vs Team Franco?” is a little misleading, you know…all the same, I would love to know what part he was interested in. I mean, if he just wanted to be any old bit part, surely Condon could have made him one of the nomads?
Ah well. I enjoy it enough to know that he’s a fan.
Actually, the headline says “Team Edward v. Team Franco”, which makes it seem like a court case. (You’re right, that IS misleading!)
And it has been adjusted!
er, not the “v” part. But at least it’s clear that he didn’t try out for Jacob’s part.
(I know you weren’t referring to the “v” part…I just get extra silly Friday afternoons at work.
)
He would have been a HOT Jacob!!!
James Franco is seriously awesome. That is all.
He could have played that nomad guy Garret?
“I’m hosting the Oscars, motherf***ers!” hahaha
I heart James Franco!
I love him. That is all.
I so LOVE him!!
He would’ve been funny to just catch occassionally in the crowd at the wedding. Like ‘Where’s Franco?’ instead of Waldo.
James wouldn’t have finals at Yale, b/c he’s a PhD English student and they have final papers which can be written over a few weeks. Anyways, having met Franco in real life (and taken a class w/ him) I can say he is very different in person vs. in interviews. He’s quite dour in person.
well it’s obvious he’s not going to act the same in class vs. an interview on the television
Here’s hoping he won’t yell throughout the Oscars like he did on SNL. Did anybody notice how long he was during his hosting stint on SNL? It was awkward. And he kept stepping on everyone’s lines.
i love him!
he is amazing. i cannot wait till oscar night! and he wouldve made breaking dawn so much better