Stars React to Oscar Nominations

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The 85th Academy Award nominees were announced bright and early Thursday morning, with cinephiles and celebrities alike ecstatic to hear who's up for an Oscar this year. Here are the nominees' reactions (so far):

Hugh Jackman (Les Miserables): "I hadn't planned to listen live to the announcements, but when I got into the car this morning to go to work, the driver had the nominations streaming as they were being broadcast. To be honest, it's very exciting but all a bit surreal, and it hasn't fully sunk in yet. This is a brilliant awards year that has been defined by an eclectic list of stories that have been told by incredibly talented and courageous filmmakers, and it's an honor to be mentioned in the same sentence as the other nominees in the Best Actor category. Having hosted the show, I have seen so many different sides of the Oscars, but to be an actual nominee is something I never would have dreamed possible."

Denzel Washington (In Flight): "Flight was one of the most challenging roles I’ve ever had in my career, and it was an honor to be directed by Robert Zemeckis. It’s always nice to be asked back to the show, and it will be fun to share the evening with our nominated screenwriter John Gatins."

Jennifer Lawrence (Silver Linings Playbook): "I'm so honored and grateful for this nomination and to be in the company of such talented actresses. Having the fortunate opportunity to work with David O. Russell was an extraordinary gift and I am so thrilled for my fellow cast members Bradley Cooper, Robert De Niro and Jacki Weaver who are all nothing short of amazing. This was a labor of love that we all poured our hearts into and could not be more thankful to The Weinstein Company and Harvey Weinstein for their unyielding support of the film."

Anne Hathaway (Les Miserables) via THR: "I'm still jet-lagged on Europe time because I spent the holidays there, so I've been up for a few hours already unsuccessfully trying to fall back asleep. It's such an honor to be a part of a piece of work that has spread so much love throughout the world. I worked with a fearless cast and was so inspired by them every day. I sent Hugh [Jackman] an email. It's also a bittersweet morning for all of us because [Tom Hooper]'s our captain, and there's no way I'm on the phone with you right now without his influence in my life. He's really happy for us, which is a great feeling."


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Sally Field (Lincoln): "I'm spinning and beyond thrilled on so many levels. To be included in this amazing group of extraordinary craftsman and exquisite talents has been an honor in itself. But now for us all  to receive so much recognition from the Academy I'm deeply appreciative and overwhelmed, and basically, I still can't believe I got the role."

Naomi Watts (The Impossibles) via THR: "This was a complete surprise. For the other announcements this season I was in NYC, no problem... I had a proper full night of sleep. There's something about this one, being in L.A., that creates a lot of angst! I had interruptions of sleep all night because of the kids, as if I wasn't restless enough, and each time I woke up I kept thinking, 'It's not going to happen.' ... Overall, it's very thrilling, especially in a year with so many incredible performances."

Joint statement from producers Ben Affleck, George Clooney and Grant Heslov (Argo): "We would like to thank the Academy for acknowledging Argo in this extraordinary way. This is a great tribute to everyone who worked on the film -- from our incredible cast to our tremendous crew. We are honored to have made a film that tells the story of these unsung heroes and it's so terrific that it's getting this kind of recognition."

Adele (Skyfall) via Twitter: "Oh my god I feel like Meryl Streep!! Thank you x"

Alan Arkin (Argo): "I am of course very excited about the nomination this morning. Ben Affleck is an amazing director, and I am so happy that Argo was recognized in seven categories!"

Lucy Alibar (Beasts of the Southern Wild): "I am humbled and honored to be mentioned alongside such great writers as Tony Kushner, David Magee, David O. Russell, and Chris Terrio. Benh Zeitlin is my best friend and a dream of a writing partner. It is thrilling that the academy has recognized the film in so many categories and our journey together continues. This is a wonderful day and I am beyond grateful. Thank you so much."

Amy Adams (The Master): "It is such an honor to receive this recognition from the Academy. Working with Paul Thomas Anderson was a unique and wonderful opportunity that I am so grateful for. I'd also like to send congratulations to the other nominees and to my co-stars Philip and Joaquin."

Bradley Cooper (Silver Linings Playbook): "I get up crazy early anyway, and I told myself, 'Ok, I'll take my dog to the beach, and just see what happens. Whatever goes down.' What I forgot is that it's pitch-black at 5 am! So I watched with my mom and my dog. These things are once in a lifetime. To see Jacki, Jennifer, Robert all recognized…and thank God, David, too. It’s so exciting, it couldn’t have gone better."

Robert De Niro: (Silver Linings Playbook)"I am very pleased that the Academy has chosen to honor the many individuals who were a part of Silver Linings Playbook."


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Tim Burton: (Frankenweenie)"Frankenweenie is a very personal film for me. The idea of telling a feature length version was in the back of my mind for many years. Stop Motion was the perfect medium for this project, and one I've always loved for its expressiveness and dimensionality. I've worked with so many incredible artists: animators, cast members, set builders, and puppet makers, all who have helped bring this film to life one frame at a time. I'm so honored that the Academy has recognized this film as one of its nominees."

Helen Hunt (The Sessions) via THR: "I was deeply deeply asleep when the news came in this morning and the dog was the first one to get celebratory love from me and my boyfriend! I’m really really happy and feel this is a good sign that people like the spirit this character embodies. This film is definitely counter-programming to a lot of the pain and harshness in the world. It's too bad that John [Hawkes] wasn't recognized, but that doesn't take away from the brilliance of his performance one bit."

Harvey Weinstein: "I am blown away! I can't say thank you enough to the Academy for their support of our films. We have a tremendous group of actors and film makers who we had the pleasure of working with this year and I am so happy that their achievements are being recognized."

Ang Lee (Life of Pi): "I am deeply honored and frankly a little overwhelmed by all of the nominations that Life of Pi has received this morning. So many talented people gave everything they had to this film, both in front of and behind the camera, and to see all of them receive this kind of recognition is something I am incredibly grateful for."

Rich Moore (Wreck-It Ralph): "To have the Wreck-It Ralph team's passion and years of hard work acknowledged by the Academy is an honor like no other. We are so proud, so grateful - I can't wait to congratulate everyone in-person."

Mark Andrews (Brave): "We are incredibly honored by today's Academy Award nomination. Brave has been an adventure from the beginning - starting with our research trips to Scotland, the crew embarked upon a journey that inspired us all and forever changed our fates. Thanks to the Academy from all of us here at Pixar."

Quvenzhané Wallis (Beasts of the Southern Wild): "Everyone who made Beasts happen is so happy! Thank you to all you Oscar folks, from me, my mom and my dad. I am so happy for Benh and Lucy and the gang in Louisiana. Meeting all these great new people is one of the best parts for me. I want to thank my family, friends, fans and everyone so much. Beast it!"

Mark Boal (Zero Dark Thirty): "Thank you to the Academy for these incredible honors. And thank you to the writers who have honored me today with their generosity and to the academy for the Best Picture nomination. None of us would be so honored today without the genius and remarkable talent of Kathryn Bigelow, and to her we are forever grateful."

Who will win? The 2013 Oscars air Feb. 24th on ABC.