10 Oscar nominees react to the news of their nominations

Since the 2015 Oscar nominations were announced this morning, the web has been abuzz with reactions, both positive and negative. (See Vox’s earlier posts on general Twitter buzz and #OscarsSoWhite.)

Below is a roundup of a few responses from nominees expressing their excitement at the news.

Ava DuVernay, director of Selma, which was nominated for Best Picture:

John Maloof, director of Finding Vivian Maier, up for Best Documentary Feature:

Reese Witherspoon was nominated for her performance in Wild.

Bradley Cooper, who was nominated for his performance in American Sniper, released this statement:

This is a tribute to Chris Kyle, his family and all of the service men and women who sacrifice their lives for their countries and their families. It is a privilege and an honor to play Chris and I share this with Sienna, Clint, Jason Hall, the rest of seal team three and everyone involved with the film.

Both Common and John Legend were thrilled for their nomination, which the songwriters nabbed for co-writing the song “Glory” from Selma:

Benedict Cumberbatch, classy as usual, spoke of his gratitude for his first Academy Award nomination:

I am knocked for six by this. So excited and honoured to receive this recognition. It’s wonderful to be included by the Academy in this exceptional year of performances. To ring my parents who are both actors and tell them that their only son has been nominated for an Oscar is one of the proudest moments of my life.

Here’s a statement from Isao Takahata, director of The Tale of the Princess Kaguya, who earned a Best Animated Feature nomination:

We are deeply honored that the Academy has chosen to nominate ‘The Tale of The Princess Kaguya’ for the Academy Award for Best Animated Feature Film. I would like to express my sincere gratitude to the members of the Academy. I thank everyone who has contributed to the film’s success in US as well as those who saw the film and gave it high recognition. I also thank the many people who worked on this film.

Emma Stone, nominated for Birdman, is really f**ing excited:

Well, this is surreal. I am completely knocked out. Thank you to the Academy for this incredible honor. I am very proud and lucky to be a part of Birdman and can’t believe it came to this. I am so f***ing excited. Are you allowed to say f*** when you’re making a statement for the Oscars? I’m just really f***ing excited.

For his brooding performance in Foxcatcher, Steve Carell is up for Best Actor: