Reaction to the Oscar nominations announced Tuesday:
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“When I think about the women who have been writers and directors before me, and watching their work and what they’ve done, they’re the reason I had the courage to do this. When I think about Kathryn Bigelow winning and me sitting there watching it and feeling suddenly like: It’s possible. To be nominated as the fifth woman, I hope that what it does is that women of all ages look at it and they also find the spark within themselves that says: Now I have to go make my movie. That’s what I want. And I want it selfishly because I want to see their stories.” — “Lady Bird” director nominee Greta Gerwig, in an Associated Press interview.
“The real answer in this profession is you celebrate by working. I’m going to have an extra chicken sausage for breakfast. That will be my indulgence for the day.” — “The Shape of Water” director Guillermo del Toro on how he will celebrate the film’s leading 13 nominations, in an Associated Press interview.
“I woke up a few minutes after the announcements were made. I was just getting really great texts from just about everybody I’ve ever met. And my son, you know, my son slept through the night, so that was also huge, so it was like kind of a party at my house. Yeah, it was great. Both he and I with our greatest accomplishments to date on the same morning.” — “Get Out” director nominee Jordan Peele, of his 9-month-old, in an Associated Press interview.
“Wow, what an incredible morning. I’m a bit in shock. … I am in awe of the pedigree of the Academy. I am truly honored.” — “Call Me by Your Name” best actor nominee Timothee Chalamet, in a statement.
“I am honored beyond measure by this nomination for a film I love, a film that stands in defense of press freedom, and inclusion of women’s voices in the movement of history. Proud of the film, and all her filmmakers. Thank you from a full heart.” — “The Post” best actress nominee Meryl Streep, via email.
“To have the chance to play an iconic leader like Winston Churchill at this point in my career, was the opportunity of a lifetime …. I am overjoyed to be nominated, and proud to be part of this wonderful thing known as movie making!” — “Darkest Hour” best actor nominee Gary Oldman, via email.
“It was quite unexpected but incredibly gratifying. Everything has happened so quickly of late that I am still a trifled stunned but excited by it all.” — “All the Money in the World” supporting actor nominee Christopher Plummer, via email.
“To still be working and having people appreciate your work at 89, as an artist, is a very good feeling.” — “Call Me by Your Name” adapted screenplay nominee James Ivory, on being the second oldest nominee, behind Agnes Varda by a week, in an Associated Press interview.
“Oh man I was in my bed and my phone is ringing and blowing up. Anytime I see my publicist’s name on my phone, I know something happened. So I answered the phone and she’s yelling and screaming and I’m yelling and screaming. It’s just so beautiful, yelling and screaming and about to cry.” — “Mudbound” supporting actress and original song nominee Mary J. Blige.
“What?? This is beyond the realm of imagination.” — Basketball great Kobe Bryant, of animated short film nominee “Dear Basketball,” via Twitter.
“They say those who have the power always write history. We who don’t have power are now writing history, one that can’t be (erased).” — Firas Fayyad, director of documentary feature nominee “Last Men in Aleppo,” in an Associated Press interview.
“This is an incredible affirmation of many, many years of incredibly hard work. I’m so incredibly thrilled and honored to be recognized.” — “Mudbound” adapted screenplay nominated Virgil Williams, via email.
“This nomination represents the great work of hundreds of people — from STX and our producers to Jessica Chastain and the entire cast and crew. I couldn’t ask for a greater gang of people with whom to share this incredible honor.” — “Molly’s Game” adapted screenplay nominee Aaron Sorkin, via email.
“Films like ‘The Shape of Water,’ ‘A Fantastic Woman,’ ‘Lady Bird,’ and ‘Call Me By Your Name’ not only have complex, detailed, and moving portrayals, but prove that audiences and critics alike are hungry for stories which embrace diversity.” — GLAAD president and CEO Sarah Kate Ellis, via email.
“I have been a working actor for a long time and this really means a lot.” — “Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri” supporting actor nominee Sam Rockwell, in a statement.
“It is also quite a day for my son Alfie Oldman, having both parents nominated in the same year.” — “Phantom Thread” supporting actress nominee Lesley Manville, of her child with former partner “Darkest Hour” best actor nominee Gary Oldman, via email.
“It’s such great news for us and for Lebanon. It’s been a very, very long and difficult road to get where we are. … It says that in spite of all these things, there is a hope of reconciliation.” — Foreign language film nominee “The Insult” director Ziad Doueiri.
“I just got to New York last night actually and I’m in this apartment just sort of feeling my way around because I start rehearsal for a play in a couple hours (Edward Albee’s ‘Three Tall Women’), so this was a big day. … I will probably order a large pepperoni pizza when I get home from rehearsal.” — “Lady Bird” supporting actress nominee Laurie Metcalf, in an Associated Press interview.
“This nomination is for every single one of us who brought our hearts to this film. … I am here because of the greatness of others. I stand on the shoulders of giants.” — “The Shape of Water” best actress nominee Sally Hawkins, via email.
“I’m so excited and thrilled by the nomination and for ‘The Shape of Water’ team lead by Guillermo the Great. It is rare and humbling to be part of something so special.” — Supporting actor nominee Richard Jenkins, via email.
“This is fantastic news! … I am so thankful for Guillermo, for his humanity and his artistic passion. He truly inspired all of us.” — Original score nominee Alexandre Desplat, for “The Shape of Water,” via email.
“It was a nice surprise this morning to hear of the nomination. This is a testament to and recognition of the work of all the people on this film.” — “Blade Runner 2049” cinematography nominee Roger Deakins, in a statement.
“I couldn’t be more surprised or thrilled that ‘Mighty River’ got a nomination. Working with Mary J. Blige and Taura Stinson is always a breeze. They are very talented. I am truly blessed.” — Original score nominee Raphael Saadiq, via email.
“We are thrilled and honored to be nominated for ‘The Big Sick.’ … It was an incredibly unique challenge to take some of the most vulnerable, painful and beautiful moments from our life together and turn it into a movie.” — Original screenplay nominees Kumail Nanjiani and Emily Gordon, via email.
“Thank you so much to The Academy for recognizing ‘This is Me’ with a nomination! We are honored to be included in such great company with our fellow nominees.” — Original song nominees Benj Pasek and Justin Paul, via email.
“We believe that art can change the world for the better. Thank you to the Academy for recognizing our art.” — Original song nominee with Diane Warren for “Stand Up For Something” from “Marshall,” via email.
“At a time when women’s voices are coming to the forefront, the story of a young girl using her voice for what she believes in is more relevant than ever.” — Animated feature film nominee “The Breadwinner” director Nora Twomey, via email.
“I’m thrilled that our film has received seven nominations from the Academy, and that the beautiful work of our editor Jon Gregory, our composer Carter Burwell, my gentle brothers-in-arms Woody Harrelson and Sam Rockwell, and our fearless leader Frances McDormand, have all been recognized so wonderfully. I can’t wait to celebrate with them all come March 4th.” — “Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri” original screenplay nominee Martin McDonagh.
“We are immensely proud of this work and grateful to the Academy for recognizing ‘War for the Planet of the Apes’ with a nomination today. … We’ve been really happy to see how audiences have been swept up by the emotional story of Caesar and his fellow ape characters.” — Visual effects nominee and Weta Digital senior visual effects supervisor Joe Letteri, in a statement.
“I was just going through airport security when my phone started buzzing!! Thankfully they didn’t stop me and I was able to celebrate!!! I thought they would arrest me for looking like a crazy man laughing and screaming!!!” — Carlos Saldanha, director of animated feature nominee “Ferdinand,” via email.
“That such a tender film about the human condition is nominated for an Academy Award — my first film in nearly two decades, and in a year where so many exceptional women are being honored for their work behind-the-camera — humbles me. I am so proud to be representing Hungary in the Oscar race.” — Ildiko Enyedi of the foreign language film nominee “On Body and Soul,” in a statement.
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Associated Press writers Sandy Cohen and Lindsey Barr in Los Angeles and Jake Coyle in New York contributed to this report
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For full coverage of awards season, visit: https://apnews.com/tag/AwardsSeason
