Factbox: Stars, directors react to Oscar nominations

LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - Oscar nominations were announced on Tuesday for the movie industry's highest honors, with "Avatar" and "The Hurt Locker" leading the list with nine nods apiece.

Following are reactions from some of the stars, directors and producers nominated for Oscars, either in statements or as told to Reuters. The Oscars will be handed out in Hollywood on March 7.

"I am proud and grateful to stand with these women who have given such a range of beautiful, indelible performances this year!!" -- Meryl Streep, best actress nominee for "Julie &Julia" in a statement.

"Who would have thought after all these years that I would be experiencing this moment now...I certainly didn't. But I am honored beyond words to experience this journey with John Lee Hancock and Gil Netter, and to continue this astounding ride with the extraordinary women I share this category with. My time with them these past few months has meant more than anything to me." -- Sandra Bullock, best actress nominee for "The Blind Side" in a statement.

"I thought I was managing my expectations, but on hearing the news I discovered new and unfamiliar vocal tones. Perhaps I should do another musical." -- Colin Firth, best actor nominee for "A Single Man" in a statement.

"I'm very happy and honored for Christopher (Plummer), myself and our film. I think Tolstoy himself would have been perplexed by all this, but, Sofya his wife would have been over the moon. So in that spirit, I am too." -- Helen Mirren, best actress nominee for "The Last Station" in a statement.

"We are very happy to have received these nominations and would like to thank the Academy and everyone that made this film possible - a special thanks to Focus Features and Working Title Films. Thank you very much." -- Joel Coen and Ethan Coen, best picture and original screenplay nominees for "A Serious Man" in a statement.

"I can't tell you how far from reality this feels. It is completely bizarre. It was the furthest thing I imagined when I did the job because it was my first movie...and we struggled to get financing and distribution." -- Carey Mulligan, best actress nominee for "An Education," as told to Reuters

"It is absolutely amazing to be named in the same category with those people I have grown up watching. And Carey Mulligan too." -- Gabourey Sidibe, best actress nominee for "Precious: Based on the novel 'Push' by Sapphire," as told to Reuters.

"I am completely surprised and elated. Rob Marshall is not only a genius but an absolute joy to work with. I woke up every morning excited to collaborate with this amazingly talented group of actors," -- Penelope Cruz, best supporting actress nominee for "Nine" in a statement.

" 'Precious' has touched peoples' hearts. People walk out of the theater speechless, because it has brought feeling to them. As filmmakers, that is all we can ever hope to achieve." -- Sarah Siegel-Magness, producer of best picture nominee "Precious," as told to Reuters.

"Most importantly, thank you to Nelson Mandela for his encouragement, his blessing and his friendship - without which, this film would not have been possible." Morgan Freeman, best actor nominee for his portrayal of Mandela in "Invictus" in a statement.

"I was surprised at the number of nominations and very grateful. When a film gets nominated in nine different categories, you just have to take it as a huge compliment." -- Mark Boal, writer and producer of "The Hurt Locker," as told to Reuters.

"It reminded me a lot of when you are a little kid, and your parents wake you up for a birthday or Christmas, or an exciting trip. The first thought that shoots into your brain is, 'Yes, we are going to do it. It's happening," -- Christoph Waltz, best supporting actor nominee for "Inglourious Basterds" on what it felt like when he was told of his nomination, as told to Reuters.

"I don't know if anyone knows the answer, but...it's kind of cool and at this point, it feels like anyone can win," -- Lawrence Bender, producer of "Inglourious Basterds" on the impact of 10 nominees in the best film category, as told to Reuters.

"Being involved in a film as special as 'Up in the Air' was a dream come true. I am overwhelmed and honored by this nomination and am so grateful to be able to share this experience with George, Vera and Jason." -- Anna Kendrick, best supporting actress nominee for "Up in the Air," in a statement.

"This is a great honor and a wonderful compliment to everyone who worked on the film. I've always believed that the secret to filmmaking is that it is essentially a collaborative medium, and so to get recognized by the various branches of the academy is truly heart-warming, and I know all of us who worked on 'The Hurt Locker' are going to treasure this. Personally, I'd like to thank the director's branch for their support," -- Kathryn Bigelow, director of "The Hurt Locker," in a statement.

"This has gone way above our wildest expectations. We were looking to make a good movie that entertained the masses. We'd of been happy with half of the business we've done...it's a pinch me moment. That's the best way I can describe it." -- Jon Landau, producer of best film nominee "Avatar," as told to Reuters.

"I am very honored to have received an Oscar nomination for 'Fantastic Mr. Fox.' Roald Dahl's classic story has been one of my favorite books since I first learned to read, and it was an amazing experience to work with my many, many very skilled collaborators and bring it to life as a stop-motion film!" -- Wes Anderson, director of "Fantastic Mr. Fox" in a statement.

(Reporting by Jill Serjeant; Editing by Bob Tourtellotte)