Since 2001, the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences has been progressively trying to grant hosting duties for the Oscar’s to a wider variety of entertainers that extend beyond just Billy Crystal and Whoopi Goldberg, who combined, have hosted 11 ceremonies from the past 20 years.

Although both have hosted once again within this past decade, a more eclectic mix of people have been chosen to entertain the biggest night in

James Franco and Anne Hathaway

As the introduction to the show, the host has the important task of setting the tone for how the rest of the evening will go. The host can open the show to a pleasant start by steering clear of controversial jokes, as Ellen DeGeneres did in 2006, or the host can create a tense and hostile evening.

Case in point, Chris Rock back in 2004 when he came full force and took painful jabs at everyone from Jude Law to Tobey McGuire during his monologue. How ironic that the film taking the “Best Picture” category that night happened to be “Million Dollar Baby.”

“The Daily Show’s” Jon Stewart took the coveted spot twice in 2005 and 2007 proving that although the Hollywood elite in the audience might not be attuned to the way he was mocking them, viewers at home can appreciate the wittiness of his jokes. 

In 2009, hosting duties were given to Aussie born actor, Hugh Jackman. Who would have guessed that Wolverine would actually deliver one of the most entertaining and refreshing Oscar ceremonies within the past decade?

Gone was the typical monologue and comedic bit that made stabs at the news worthy celebrities, and in came a show stopping opening musical number that showcased Jackman’s many talents.

With a combination of old school charm and new school choreography, Jackman, reminiscent of classic movie stars like Gene Kelly and Fred Astaire brought back Old Hollywood glamour that had been so desperately missing from the program in years past.

But the most anticipated hosts in recent years were none other than the pairing of Alec Baldwin and Steve Martin last year. The two comedic giants, who have a friendly rival originating from who can host Saturday Night Live the most times, shared the stage for one night and proved that two heads might not necessarily be better than one. 

Although the duo tagged teamed on the monologue and jokes, albeit funny, their show simply did not live up to the expectations and hype that it had garnered.

This year, in an attempt to get the new generation of moviegoers excited about the Oscars again, the Academy hired James Franco and Anne Hathaway to host the show.

Compared to the hosts from previous years, Hathaway and Franco are not the typical choices since they are not comedians, nor have they been known to be comedic actors, but that does not exclude them from possessing comedic chops. This means that they are a bit of a wildcard pair since no one knows what this duo is capable of bringing to the table.

Perhaps a song is in the works for Hathaway, since she once shared the Oscar stage singing alongside Jackman during his opening act. And with the illustrious Rachel Zoe as her personal stylist, expect to see amazing wardrobe changes—and plenty of it.

Franco, on the other hand, is known to be someone who will do anything once. A stint on a daytime soap opera? Why not? Pretending to cut his own arm for a role? He did it so well that he is nominated for an Academy award this year. Additionally, it will be interesting to see how being up for the statue will play into Franco's hosting. 

While predictions can be made, only time will tell, who will take the film industry’s top honor, which celebrity will wear what couture, and how Franco and Hathaway will deliver as hosts this year.

But if the duo does succeed with their hosting duties, you can bet that the Academy will be looking into hiring more unexpected entertainers for future shows. 

Reach Candice here.