Anne Hathaway intimidated about hosting Oscars

The 'Love and Other Drugs' actress is co-hosting next year's 83rd Annual Academy Awards with James Franco and admits she is nervous  about the ceremony as very few women have previously been given the honour.

She told 'Entertainment Tonight': "I found out that I'm one of three women to host since ... I think it was 1987. Maybe I'm the fourth, I'm not sure. I'm still learning all the amazing statistics that I almost don't want to know because it gets a little bit too intimidating."

Despite her apprehension, Anne is looking forward to the "challenge" of hosting the biggest night in the Hollywood calendar.

She told the New York Post newspaper: "I don't really have a great reason ... I like a challenge. It seems like an incredibly cool and exhilarating thing to do. I'm convinced it will be a nerve-wracking experience."

Academy Awards producers Bruce Cohen and Don Mischer revealed they selected the two Hollywood stars to host the ceremony - which will air live on February 27 - because the pair are "fresh, exciting and multi-talented".

They said in a statement: "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.

"We are completely thrilled that James and Anne will be joining forces with our brilliant creative team to do just that."