The Oscar nominations for 2024 brought historic recognition to Martin Scorsese and Lily Gladstone for their remarkable contributions to the period epic “Killers of the Flower Moon.” While both the director and leading lady secured well-deserved nods, the absence of Leonardo DiCaprio from the Best Actor category has stirred reactions from Scorsese and Gladstone.
In an exclusive interview with Variety, Martin Scorsese praised DiCaprio’s fearless portrayal of a complex character, stating, “Leo fearlessly created a true Everyman… an Everyman that people just don’t want to acknowledge. So that will endure.” Scorsese’s period epic garnered him a record-breaking 10th nomination, making him the most-nominated living director, surpassing the legendary Steven Spielberg.
Lily Gladstone, the first Native American actor nominated in the Best Actress category, shared a personal anecdote expressing her disappointment over DiCaprio’s snub. “My nomination is equal parts his. I would not have been able to do what I did without his generosity as an actor and as a human being,” she told Variety.
As “Killers of the Flower Moon” continues to make waves in Oscar history, Gladstone chose to celebrate the occasion in Oklahoma, immersed in the Osage community. She expressed her desire to be close to the real-life inspiration for her character, Mollie Kyle, and to pay her respects in Pawhuska, Fairfax, and Gray Horse.
The Oscar snub may have surprised many, but the impact of “Killers of the Flower Moon” and the collaborative efforts of its cast and crew continue to resonate in the industry.
