The nominations for the 96th Academy Awards were unveiled last week. While the ‘Oppenheimer’ fever was still running high, ‘Killers of the Flower Moon’ emerged as the dark horse. This Martin Scorsese period drama made history with the number of nods it received. While Martin Scorsese and Lily Gladstone were nominated, lead actor Leonardo DiCaprio did not receive any nomination. In a recent interview, the two reacted to Leonardo’s snub.

In a conversation with Variety, Martin Scorsese and Lily Gladstone talked about their nomination. They also addressed Leonardo’s Oscar snub. Talking about Leonardo’s performance in ‘Killers of the Flower Moon’, the director said, “He went so far into the complexities and contradictions of a man who was so weak, so malleable, who did such unspeakable things, but who also truly loved his wife. Leo fearlessly created a true Everyman… an Everyman that people just don’t want to acknowledge. So that will endure.”

Lily Gladstone recalled how her parents were upset with Leonardo DiCaprio not getting nominated. She said, “He was the first to text me congratulations, with popping confetti. I told him how upset we all were. 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 also is the first Native American woman to be nominated in the Best Actress category.

‘Killers of the Flower Moon’ stars Leonardo DiCaprio, Robert De Niro, Lily Gladstone, and Jesse Plemons in pivotal roles. Leonardo plays the role of Ernest Burkhart, a World War I veteran. His performance was widely appreciated by the audience and the critics alike.