Reactions from Oscar nominees

An image of an Oscar Statue is seen at the 86th Academy Awards nominations announcement, at the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, January 16, 2014 in Beverly Hills, California. The Oscars will take place March 2, 2014 at the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood, California.

What you need to know:

  • The following are key quotes from actors and directors nominated for the 86th Academy Awards -- and a couple who weren't -- following the announcement of the shortlists on Thursday.

The following are key quotes from actors and directors nominated for the 86th Academy Awards -- and a couple who weren't -- following the announcement of the shortlists on Thursday.

- Alfonso Cuaron, director, "Gravity":
"I am particularly moved by Sandy's (Sandra Bullock's) nomination. She is the heartbeat of our film. She immersed herself in the part. And I thank her for her grace, her trust and her dedication to finding the truth of this character."

Alfonso Cuaron, director, "Gravity".

- David O Russell, director, "American Hustle":

"In American Hustle, we tried to create characters and a world that the audience would find romantic and moving and real," he said in a statement, while telling the Hollywood Reporter:

"I'm fighting a little cold here but this will certainly go a long way to boost my immune system."

- Meryl Streep, nominated for best actress, "August: Osage County":

"I am so happy for our film that Julia (Roberts) and I have been nominated. We are both so proud of August: Osage County.

This honor from the Academy, for which we are truly grateful, will help bring attention to our film from audiences across the country, which is thrilling."

Actress Meryl Streep.

- Steve McQueen, director, "12 Years a Slave":

"This has been an amazing ride, and to receive nine nominations from the Academy is testament to all of the hard work," he said in a statement.

He told the Hollywood Reporter: "All the comments were proven wrong about how difficult it is to watch. People want to see the difficult and challenging stories, and the proof is in the pudding."

- Leonardo DiCaprio, nominated for best actor, "The Wolf of Wall Street":

"The Wolf of Wall Street" has been a passion project of mine, and I found the role to be one of the most challenging and rewarding of my career.

US actor Leonardo DiCaprio poses on the red carpet as he arrives to attend the UK premiere of film "The Wolf of Wall Street" in central London on January 9, 2014. Directed by Martin Scorsese and based on a true story, the Wolf of Wall Street charts the rise and fall of a wealthy stockbroker played by Leonardo DiCaprio. Photo/AFP

- Judi Dench, nominated for best actress, "Philomena":

"This is just the loveliest news. I'm so happy for everybody involved, and so proud to have been part of the wonderful experience that Philomena has been."

- Matthew McConaughey, nominated for best actor, "Dallas Buyers Club":

"This is the type of movie that you know going in is going to be pretty good medicine and bound to be important, but to have a homophobic hero and a good piece of entertainment, I'll take all I can get." (to Variety)

- Australian Cate Blanchett, best actress nominee for Woody Allen's "Blue Jasmine":

"I'm ecstatic!" she told AFP.

Actress Cate Blanchett.

- Sandra Bullock, best actress nominee for "Gravity":

"I had already felt overwhelmingly blessed to have had the creative "once-in-a-lifetime" opportunity that I did on "Gravity." The life experience I garnered on this journey is something for which I will forever be grateful."

George Clooney, NOT nominated for best supporting actor in "Gravity":

"Alfonso Cuaron is one if the great geniuses in the game. He really is a genius. He hasn't made a bad film .. we had no idea of what was going on, cause you know, it was two years of post-production.

They were doing stuff that they hadn't invented yet in terms of CGI (computer generated imagery)."

- Robert Redford, NOT nominated for "All is Lost":

"There's a lot of campaigning that goes on, and it can get very political .. I think we suffered from little to no distribution .. I don't know why, they didn't want to spend the money, they were afraid, they were just incapable, I don't know," he told the start of the Sundance Film Festival.

"Would it have been wonderful to be nominated? Of course, but .. I'm not disturbed by it, I'm not upset by it."

Actor Robert Redford.