Paul Rust Claims James Franco Was Upset Over His 2011 Oscars Hosting Gig Despite Franco Downplaying It

James Franco’s Oscars Hosting Meltdown: A Closer Look At the Controversy

James Franco may have attempted to downplay his infamous hosting gig at the 2011 Oscars, but comic Paul Rust recently revealed that the actor was visibly upset in the aftermath. Rust shared insights about the incident on his podcast, coming just days after the widely criticized ceremony, where Franco co-hosted alongside Anne Hathaway.

The 2011 Academy Awards are still considered one of the most cringeworthy nights in Oscar history. In an effort to attract a younger audience, the Academy opted for Franco and Hathaway, both of whom were enjoying career highs at the time. Hathaway was fresh off her performance in Love & Other Drugs, while Franco had recently earned a Best Actor nomination for his role in 127 Hours. However, the results were less than stellar, with critics calling the duo’s performances mismatched and awkward.

Hathaway brought enthusiasm to the stage, while Franco’s demeanor was described as nonchalant, leading many viewers to speculate whether he was under the influence. This contrast created an uncomfortable atmosphere, with reviewers labeling the telecast as one of the worst in Oscar lore.

Years later, behind-the-scenes accounts have painted a picture of friction between the two hosts. Anecdotes suggest Hathaway’s cheery disposition clashed with Franco’s laid-back approach, resulting in a notably disjointed performance. Even Hathaway admitted that she initially turned down the hosting role and only accepted after Franco’s encouragement.

Reflecting on the experience, she candidly expressed disappointment with how it all turned out, while Franco has also acknowledged the backlash, suggesting it was just an experiment that went awry. However, Rust’s comments indicate that the negative reviews had a significant impact on Franco’s mood just days later.

During a promotional shoot for his film Your Highness, Rust recounted how Franco arrived in a noticeably bad mood and began mumbling his lines. While filming a sketch featuring Franco and co-star Danny McBride, Franco broke from the script, making ad-libs that referenced the negative feedback from the Oscars. In a mumble, he alluded to online rumors, admitting, “James Franco was high on heroin when he was hosting the Oscars last night.” This led to concerns from a publicist on set, who urged him to refrain from commenting in that manner.

Despite the awkwardness, McBride reportedly offered support to Franco during the shoot, suggesting he didn’t want his co-star to feel pressured. However, as tensions escalated, Franco ultimately kicked a chair and stormed off the set, never to return, leading Rust to believe that the sketch never aired.

As the dust settles from that contentious Oscars night, it remains clear that the fallout affected Franco more than he initially let on. BuzzFeed reached out to Franco’s representatives for comment, but their response has yet to be received.

This incident serves as a reminder that even Hollywood’s brightest stars are not immune to the pressures of public scrutiny and the fallout that can ensue from a high-profile event gone wrong.