Update!

Golden Globes 2013: Taylor Swift, Ben Affleck, Lena Dunham, Leonardo DiCaprio, Sofia Vergara and More React to Nominations!

Emily Blunt, Glenn Close and Damian Lewis also thanked the Hollywood Foreign Press Association for their nods

By Alyssa Toomey Dec 13, 2012 8:30 AMTags
Zero Dark Thirty, Lincoln, Silver Linings Playbook  Columbia Pictures; DreamWorks; The Weinstein Company; Universal Pictures

Tis the season for…awards!

Nominations for the 70th annual Golden Globes were announced early this morning and Steven Spielberg's Lincoln is in the lead with a whopping seven nominations.

Unexpectedly nominated stars like Taylor Swift and Jack Black are in a state of excited shock, while anticipated hopefuls such as Ben Affleck and Leonardo DiCaprio are humbly thanking the Hollywood Foreign Press Association.

It's an exciting day in Tinseltown as talented stars like Anne Hathaway and Jessica Chastain are recognized for their impeccable performances, so let's take a look at what the lucky nominees are saying!

Steven Spielberg, Lincoln: "Seven has never been a more lucky number than it is for me today. I was delighted to hear that the HFPA has chosen to recognize Daniel, Sally, Tommy, Tony Kushner, John Williams, Kathy Kennedy and me so generously. Bringing Lincoln to the screen has been the opportunity of a lifetime and a distinct privilege.  The story is quintessentially American, but we hope it's a movie that can speak to audiences worldwide. After all, Lincoln ended his most famous speech, as you hear at the end of our film, looking beyond national boundaries to justice and peace for all nations. That's one reason why it's especially meaningful for me that the Hollywood Foreign Press has honored us with these nominations."

Jessica Chastain, Zero Dark Thirty: "Zero Dark Thirty is a film that I am extremely proud of and it's a tremendous honor to be recognized by the HFPA. I am so thankful for this nomination. I am elated to see our fearless producer Megan Ellison, our brilliant director Kathryn Bigelow, our wonderful screenwriter Mark Boal and this extraordinary film being honored today. I'm so proud and honored to play this exceptional woman."

Helen MirrenHitchcock: "Alma thanks you from the bottom of her heart for the recognition of her contribution to film."

Toby Jones, The Girl: "Alfred Hitchcock is a hero of mine and it was a daunting prospect to play him in our film. I'm honoured, flattered and proud that The Girl has been recognised by the HFPA. Whooppeee!"

Anne Hathaway, Les Misérables: "What a great way to wake up! I couldn't be happier or more grateful for this news. Congratulations to Hugh and everyone who worked on Les Miz for their contribution to the best picture nomination!!!"

Jennifer LawrenceSilver Linings Playbook: "Wow. I'm so lucky, because the Hollywood Foreign Press have been so supportive of the work I've done thus far, now honoring with me with a second Golden Globe nomination. Silver Linings Playbook is such a beautiful film, and David O. Russell wrote and directed an incredible screenplay featuring characters that skew off center, have extreme ups and downs, and are so nuanced. I am grateful to be part of it, and for the opportunity to do this role. And now, to be in a category of other talents—Meryl StreepJudi DenchMaggie Smith and Emily Blunt—who have also portrayed independently minded and driven female characters….that's very cool. "

Christoph WaltzDjango Unchained : "I was invited back and it is difficult to pin down in words how honored and grateful and proud I feel."

Connie Britton, Nashville: "I am so grateful to the Hollywood Foreign Press to be nominated. It is a huge honor, and I'm thrilled for Hayden and I to represent everyone who has been working so devotedly and tirelessly on Nashville."

Mark Andrews, Brave: "The adventure of Brave began in Scotland, where the mystery and majesty of the land fueled our imaginations. From haggis to highland games, creating this film truly changed our fate. On behalf of everyone at Pixar, we would like to thank the Hollywood Foreign Press for the incredible honor of this nomination." 

Ang Lee, Life of Pi: "I am deeply honored and grateful to the HFPA for these very generous nominations. Making Life of Pi was one of the most challenging yet rewarding experiences of my life. I am proud of the film we all made and it is wonderful to get this recognition."

Jon Hamm, Mad Men: "I'm thrilled to be included in this Murderer's Row of phenomenal talent and can only humbly thank the Hollywood Foreign Press for this honor."

Richard GereArbitrage: "This was a complicated and challenging role. It's nice to have the HFPA acknowledge the performance and for me to share the nomination with such brilliant actors."

Julian FellowesDownton Abbey: "The nominations are a wonderful, flattering and rewarding Christmas present from the Hollywood Foreign Press. In fact, the support of the American audience and their love of the show has been one of the happiest parts of the whole enterprise. I just hope they enjoy the third season, and we can all stay in the Downton family for a little longer."

Keith Urban, "For You," Act of Valor: "The most rewarding gift for me as a songwriter is knowing that the song has somehow made a connection. I've been fortunate and moved to hear first hand how it has impacted others' lives.  For that, and for this nomination, I'm so very grateful and honored. To wake up to this news, as well as to Nic's two nominations, is absolutely beautiful. What a way to start the day!!!!!" 

Naomi WattsThe Impossible: "I'm so happy with this morning's news and thrilled that the nomination acknowledges this film. To tell the story of Maria Belon has been a privilege. She and so many others who were affected by the 2004 tsunami are close to my heart. It's a complete honor."

Aaron SorkinThe Newsroom: "The cast, crew and staff of The Newsroom are humbled to be in such elite company and we look forward to dramatizing this nomination a year and a half from now."

Nicole KidmanThe Paperboy: "Can't believe it! Thank you to all the actors who nominated me and especially to John Cusack and Zac Efron, who gave me so much. I am in Europe filming Grace Kelly and I was completely taken by surprise. Love & hugs, Nic xx"

Ben AffleckArgo: "I want to thank the Hollywood Foreign Press Association for honoring Argo with five nominations. These nominations reflect the courage and determination of real life heroes in the U.S., Canada, Iran and across the globe. They honor more than 120 actors with speaking roles in multiple languages, thousands of extras in the US and abroad as well as hundreds of extraordinary crewmembers who poured their heart into the film—including the great Alan Arkin, brilliant Chris Terrio and extraordinary Alexandre Desplat, who were nominated today as well and who have my congratulations and gratitude. Thanks again to the HFPA for their support."

Emily Blunt, Salmon Fishing in the Yemen: "I'm so incredibly thankful to the Hollywood Foreign Press for recognizing our little movie that could. Ewan and the entire cast and crew could not be more deserving of this honor, and I'm thrilled that I'm able to share this moment among such a fantastic group of nominees."

Ewan McGregor, Salmon Fishing in the Yemen: "Thank you to the Hollywood Foreign Press for this nomination. It's wonderful that our movie left its mark. Emily Blunt is such a talent and a joy to work with, and I'm so happy the HFPA recognized her performance, as well as our film. I look forward to the Golden Globes, as they are always fun and send my congratulations to all those who believed and participated in Lasse's vision." 

Taylor Swift, "Safe and Sound," The Hunger Games: "What an amazing and unexpected present! I'm blown away by my first-ever Golden Globe nomination, and so honored to be nominated with T Bone Burnett and The Civil Wars. Writing music for The Hunger Games was a labor of love—I was a fan of the stories and the characters, and we all wanted the music to have an authenticity that matched the tone of the movie and the emotions expressed in the book. This is a huge honor, and I'm really excited and so flattered. THANK YOU from the bottom of my heart to the Hollywood Foreign Press Association!"

Glenn Close, Damages: "Damages was one of the greatest adventures of my career. I am deeply grateful to The Hollywood Foreign Press for their recognition of my work in our final season. I represent our entire Damages team in thanking them for their support over the past five years. Patty Hewes was the inspiration of a brilliant team of writers, honed by her interactions with a remarkable roster of guest stars. I couldn't have had a better partner in the exquisite Rose Byrne. The relationship of Patty Hewes and Ellen Parsons is unique storytelling. Their journey resulted in what I think is a great modern American tragedy that will stand the test of time."

Steve Buscemi, Boardwalk Empire: "I'm so grateful to be able to play Nucky, it never gets old."  

Leonardo DiCaprio, Django Unchained: "I'm truly honored to be nominated by the Hollywood Foreign Press Association today. Django Unchained was a remarkable experience and I consider myself lucky to work with Quentin and the entire cast on the film. I'm particularly proud to be named alongside my fellow Django nominees."

Don Cheadle, House of Lies: "I'm over the moon for the nom. This is a great show and a great cast and this is a recognition of all of us... But mostly me."

Alan ArkinArgo: "I am deeply grateful for this honor and particularly moved in being in the company of Christoph WaltzLeonardo DiCaprioPhilip Seymour Hoffman, and Tommy Lee Jones who I deeply admire. I am also thrilled that Ben is getting the attention he so much deserves, as is Argo."

Jack Black, Bernie: "Ok...I'm only doing Richard Linklater movies from now on. I'm so proud of our little engine that could. Thank you HFPA!"

John Hawkes, The Sessions: I'm so honored by these nominations and excited that the film is receiving this recognition

Tim Burton, Frankenweenie: "I'm thrilled to be recognized by the HFPA. Frankenweenie is a very personal project for me and the nomination goes as much to the animators who labored frame by frame to bring this film to life." 

Jeff Daniels, The Newswroom: "To me, being honored with a Golden Globe Nomination means even more because it's for The Newsroom."

Lena Dunham, Girls: "This is an incredible honor and the most wonderful ending to an amazing year.  Thank you to the Hollywood Foreign Press.  I'm thrilled to share this with our amazing cast and crew."      

Matt LeBlanc, Episodes: "It's an incredible honor to be nominated again for a show that I am so proud to be a part of.  And I am thrilled that the show has been recognized as well because everyone involved works so hard. Thank you Hollywood Foreign Press." 

Rachel Weisz, The Deep Blue Sea: "I am deeply grateful for this nomination, and in particular, for the HFPA's recognition of the hard work and passion that Terence Davies brought to this wonderful British indie. I am thrilled that this nomination might allow his beautiful work to reach a larger audience."

Wes Anderson, Moonrise Kingdom: "I received this news by text message on the fast train to Berlin. The Hollywood Foreign Press has brightened a bleak snowy day in Germany for me. I could not be more pleased on behalf of our gang."

Archie PanjabiThe Good Wife: "Thank you, Hollywood Foreign Press Association, for recognizing my work, and in doing so, the exceptional Good Wife Team! I am deeply moved by your nomination."

Damian Lewis, Homeland: "Just so happy to have a really good reason to stop Christmas shopping for a day. Opening a bottle immediately to celebrate my Golden Globe nomination for Homeland. I'm thrilled that Claire and Mandy were also nominated for their performances, and look forward to celebrating with the whole cast in Los Angeles in January. Thank you HFPA!"

Amy Adams, The Master: "Thank you to the Hollywood Foreign Press for this nomination.  I'm so appreciative to have been part of Paul Thomas Anderson's extraordinary film and to have had the opportunity to star alongside such respected actors as Philip Seymour Hoffman and Joaquin Phoenix who were nothing short of brilliant in their performances."

Mandy Patinkin, Homeland: "I am thrilled to be a part of this company. Working on Homeland has been one of the joys of my life. We have such gifted writers—I have to pinch myself every day that I get to be a part of this company. Still—the real big news we are all waiting for is Claire's baby. When I get that call, the fireworks will really start." 

Sofia Vergara, Modern Family: "This is such an exciting week! I'm so grateful to the Hollywood Foreign Press for this nomination. There's no one more fun to play then 'Gloria' and I feel lucky every day I get to be on set with my Modern Family. I'm so happy for Eric and of course the rest of my cast for our nomination."

Howard Gordon, Homeland: "It's been a great year for television and to be recognized by the HFPA in the company of such extraordinary nominees is an incredible thrill. We're grateful to all the other shows on television for raising the standards each year and to everyone involved with Homeland—from the cast and crew to Showtime and Fox 21 for their hard work, creativity and support."

Mark Boal, Zero Dark Thirty: "We're very grateful to the HFPA. It means so much to us that press representatives from around the world have reacted with such praise. It's especially flattering as we've seen the film from the beginning as a global story, one that involved and impacted much of the world. Congratulations to Kathryn Bigelow and Jessica Chastain on nominations much deserved."

Judi Dench, The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel: "This is lovely news…Having had such a glorious time in India, I'm so happy for John Madden and Graham Broadbent and delighted to be included in such a wonderful group of fellow actors."

Graham Broadbent, The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel: "Marigold seems to be turning in to the ‘little film that could.' We've had a wonderful ride— it's been hugely enjoyed by audiences around the world, and that's really enough for any filmmaker. We couldn't be happier that the HFPA and SAG are remembering our film, all our cast, and particularly our two ‘international treasures' Dames, Judi and Maggie. Ol Parker's script and John Madden's vision made an experience in the cinemas that was emotional, transforming and very funny, and reminded audiences of an important universal message, ‘there's more life to live'—whatever your age. We are so pleased with our passionate partners at Fox Searchlight and Participant for the care they've given our film."

Kathryn Bigalow, Zero Dark Thirty: "It's an honor, sincerely, and very humbling to be singled out this way by the HFPA. We're grateful, and encouraged by their support, especially since our film has such a diverse, international cast, and as the HFPA represent so many countries across the globe. And a big congratulations to the amazing Jessica Chastain and my producing partner and screenwriter Mark Boal."

Lasse Hallstrom, Salmon Fishing in the Yemen: "I am happy as a clam! Many thanks to the HFPA for recognizing our film with these nominations. I loved making this movie, and I am so happy for Ewan and Emily, and on top of being outstanding actors, they are two of the funniest and nicest people in the business, in my mind!" 

(Originally published on Dec. 13, 2012, at 9:42 a.m. PT.)