MUMBAI: In a bid to attract younger viewers to the telecast, young actors James Franco and Anne Hathaway will co-host the 83rd Academy Awards to be held in February next year, the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences announced on Monday.

In a statement the academy said that the two actors personify the next generation of Hollywood icons - fresh, exciting and multi-talented. Making the choice more unusual, both Franco and Hathaway are part of this year‘s Oscar race. 

Franco has been nominated as best actor for his role in 127 Hours while Hathaway has been nominated in the best actress category for playing an early-onset Parkinson‘s victim in Love and Other Drugs.

Last year, Steve Martin and Alec Baldwin co-hosted the ceremony.