Although we awoke before the sun came up to learn of the Academy Award nominations, it didn’t take long for those nominated to let their feelings be known. Nominee for Best Picture producer and Best Actor, Brad Pitt immediately phoned The Today Show and his joy was palpable. “We're ecstatic over here. It means so much considering this film was just dead on the rocks two years ago," Pitt said. "It took a lot of people to get it to the screen. It's a great honor. I'm really happy."
Pitt continued as he said how thrilled he was for his co-star and first-time nominee. "I'm so happy for Jonah Hill,” he added.
The superstar was also clearly surprised at the Oscar love given another film of his from 2011. “I'm doubly happy that Tree of Life made it in there. We thought we were all but forgotten; just excited for (director and nominee) Terry Malick.”
Jonah Hill, Pitt’s Moneyball co-star and nominee for Best Supporting Actor, wasted no time in shooting the love right back at Pitt. “I am so humbled, appreciative and in shock about this incredible honor. I’d like to thank the Academy, Sony Pictures, the cast and crew of Moneyball, Brad Pitt, and, most of all, our brilliant director Bennett Miller.”
Gary Oldman, nominee for Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy, sent Movie Fanatic a statement through Focus Features letting his feelings be known on the honor. “This afternoon in Berlin I have learned that I was nominated for an Academy Award in the category of Best Actor. You may have heard this before, but it has never been truer than it is for me today, it is extremely humbling, gratifying, and delightful to have your work recognized by the Academy, and to join the celebrated ranks of previous nominees and colleagues,” Oldman said. “Amazing.”
Meryl Streep, an early favorite to grab her third Oscar for The Iron Lady was her usual selfless soul when she stated, “I am honored to be in company with such beautiful artists, and touched deeply by my fellow actors for their generosity in giving me this acknowledgment.”
My Week with Marilyn Best Supporting Actor nominee Kenneth Branagh reflected on his nod by extolling his honor in portraying his real life character. “It was a rare honor to play Sir Laurence Olivier. To be recognized by the Academy for doing so is overwhelming,” he said. “I’m absolutely thrilled.”
The nomination leader was Hugo, which earned 11 including a Best Director nod for helmer Martin Scorsese. The winner of Best Director for 2006’s The Departed was clearly as moved with the 2012 nod as he was with winning a few short years ago. “I am deeply honored to have been nominated by the Academy for my work on Hugo. Every picture is a challenge, and this one -- where I was working with 3D, HD and Sacha Baron Cohen for the first time -- was no exception,” Scorsese said. “It’s a wonderful feeling to know that you’ve been recognized by the people in your industry. I congratulate my fellow nominees. It’s an impressive list, and I’m in excellent company.”
Lastly, we have the always classy Viola Davis, who earned her nod for her stellar work on The Help. “This second nomination will affect my career even more than the first one. Honestly, I can't wait to get back to doing what I love: Acting,” she said. Like Pitt with Tree of Life, she was also thrilled for a smaller film in which she appeared and its honor. “I'm also incredibly happy that Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close was nominated for Best Picture. It was the last film called and I was just thrilled, I really was. We often honor films that are technically proficient, but not necessarily coming from the heart. I always love the underdog story, the dark horse that comes out of nowhere. It proves you can't predict what reaches people.”
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Stars React to Oscar Nods: Pitt and Jonah's Joy
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