Oscar Nominations: 2026: What do Ryan Coogler and Leonardo DiCaprio have to say about this year's list?

Director Ryan Coogler spoke about writing his blues-infused vampire film “Sinners,” nominated for a record 16 Oscars, for his late uncle, whom he imagined celebrating the occasion with some blues music.

Rose Byrne, who learned of her best actress nomination in the middle of the night in Australia, talked about the intensive work of fine-tuning her turbulent character during a five-week rehearsal process.

Leonardo DiCaprio hailed the deep communal experience of people sitting in a theater together, immersing themselves in a movie.

And Amy Madigan said her little dog was looking up at her, seemingly asking: “Why are we up so early?”

Across Hollywood and beyond, Oscar nominees reflected in interviews with The Associated Press on the work that led to their recognition. Remarks have been edited for clarity and brevity.

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Ryan Coogler, for “Sinners”

“I wrote this script for my uncle who passed away 11 years ago. I got to imagine that he’s listening to some blues music right now to celebrate. I love making movies. I’m honored to wake up every day and do it. I was writing last night. That’s why I didn’t get too much sleep. Honestly, bro, I still feel a little bit asleep right now.” — In an interview. Coogler is nominated for best picture, director and original screenplay.

Leonardo DiCaprio, for “One Battle After Another”

“At the end of the day it’s about trying to be in films that are memorable. To me what matters is great ideas and original filmmaking. The only thing I feel strongly is inherent in us as a species is the idea of us getting together and feeling any great piece of music, of opera, the communal experience of watching a film together and picking up on emotions with a population of people around you.” — In an interview. DiCaprio is nominated for best actor.

Rose Byrne, for “If I Had Legs I’d Kick You”

“We did the movie in 27 days for like $8.50, and it was two takes, maybe three. And the blessing was, for five weeks, (director Mary Bronstein) and I met three days a week and just rehearsed. We just talked through the script, page after page after page. That preparation was such a gift. And Mary pushed for that. This role was an absolute gift for an actress to have. I just didn’t want to (expletive) it up.

On receiving the news: “It’s the middle of the night in Australia. I was falling asleep and then (husband Bobby Cannavale) starts FaceTiming me (from New York) because I wanted to try and stay up but it was so late. And then he started screaming, it was like ‘They said your name!’ and then my parents came in the room, they’re like ‘Oh my God’ and then we were all screaming, and that was it. Now I’ve had a shot of adrenaline and I’m wide awake.” — In an interview. Byrne is nominated for best actress.

Delroy Lindo, for “Sinners”

“It took a few beats for it to kind of sink in. And right after, as I was on the phone with my son, I saw that I had 179 texts. The totality of the excitement of my son, my gratitude, hearing it from my son, with the number of texts that were on my phone, I was able to kind of relax and enjoy the moment. … I didn’t start looking at any of the texts for another hour or so. I didn’t look at the full list of nominees. — In an interview. Lindo is nominated for best supporting actor.

Ejae, for “Golden” from “KPop Demon Hunters”

“It just doesn’t feel real even right now. I’m just still trying to digest the situation. It’s just definitely a dream come true. And that’s why, you know, we write — to have a song that everyone can sing, and not just sing, but make them feel good, because the lyrics (are) very uplifting, and challenge them to sing those high notes.

“For me, also, it’s the fact that there are Korean lyrics in it. It is just kind of really crazy to see everyone from all different countries and races singing it. So, I’m just forever grateful to be a part of this incredible film that I wish I grew up watching, too.” — In an interview. Ejae is nominated for best original song for “Golden” from “KPop Demon Hunters.”