The Oscars of 2011 left an indelible mark in cinema history, not for its exceptional success, but for the palpable discomfort and tension that defined the duo of presenters, James Franco and Anne Hathaway.
Their pairing remains a subject of intense discussion, and now, the screenwriters behind the scenes shed light on the backstage dynamics.
The chemistry void between these two talented actors was glaring, both on stage and in their off-screen interactions. The screenwriters of the gala recently shared their experiences with The Ringer, giving us a peek behind the curtain.
David Wild candidly described their pairing as "like the world's most awkward blind date between the cool stoner rocker and the adorable theatrical camp cheerleader." He goes further, characterizing it as "the most incredibly dark comedic event" he has ever witnessed.
He reminisces about an exchange between them: "Let's see, this is a memory, but she was like, 'You might as well try this,' and he was like, 'Don't tell me how to be funny.'" This episode only seemed to exacerbate their strained relationship, and Wild recalls a moment when he thought they might be connecting, but Anne was nowhere to be found.
Jordan Rubin, another screenwriter, chimed in, shedding light on their stark differences. He remarked that Anne Hathaway arrived prepared, fully committed to the role, while James Franco often appeared as if he had just woken up from a nap. Rubin drew an amusing analogy, comparing their dynamic to a tennis match where one player is ready for the US Open while the other seems content to play a casual game of catch, illustrating the stark contrast in their levels of engagement.
