In an unconventional bit of casting, James Franco and Anne Hathaway have been selected to cohost the 83rd Academy Awards.

Oscar telecast producers Bruce Cohen and Don Mischer announced the choice Monday. RELATED: Complete awards watch and analysis.

While the Oscar broadcast has been most often turned to a stand-up comedian, the show has occasionally reached out to a wider range of performers: The 59th Awards, in 1987, for example, were hosted by Chevy Chase along with Goldie Hawn and Australia’s Paul Hogan.

Both Franco and Hathaway have made previous appearances on the Oscars. Hathaway joined host Hugh Jackman for a song-and-dance number two years ago, and Franco, who has shown off his hosting skills on Saturday Night Live, has appeared as a presenter.

The two could also find themselves serving double duty as nominees: Franco is being positioned as best actor contender for his dramatic turn in 127 Hours, while Hathaway is a more long-shot possibility for best actress for her skin-baring romantic comedy Love and Other Drugs.

"James Franco and Anne Hathaway personify the next generation of Hollywood icons -- fresh, exciting and multi-talented.  We hope to create an Oscar broadcast that will both showcase their incredible talents and entertain the world on February 27," Cohen and Mischer told The Hollywood Reporter in a statement.  "We are completely thrilled that James and Anne will be joining forces with our brilliant creative team to do just that."