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Tuesday, January 24, 2012

Michelle Williams in "My Week With Marilyn"
Photo: The Weinstein Company

Michelle Williams is getting Oscar love yet again. Williams is nominated for Best Actress at the Academy Awards for "My Week With Marilyn," facing off against screen legends and some fresh blood.

"I am so grateful to be acknowledged by the Academy for my work, which was made possible by the support of our director Simon Curtis and the camaraderie of a terrific ensemble of actors — a special congratulations to [co-star] Kenneth Branagh — and the fearless Harvey Weinstein," she said in a statement. "This role has been the challenge and privilege of a lifetime. I would like to think that the recognition our film has received by the Academy is a testament to Marilyn's legacy."

The other nominees in her category are Glenn Close ("Albert Nobbs"), Viola Davis ("The Help"), Rooney Mara ("The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo") and Meryl Streep ("The Iron Lady").

Branagh, who earned a Best Supporting Actor nod for his work in "Marilyn," was equally amped about the recognition. "It was a rare honour to play Sir Laurence Olivier," he said in a statement. "To be recognised by the Academy for doing so is overwhelming. I'm absolutely thrilled."

Williams already won the Golden Globe for her role in the film earlier this month. This marks her third Oscar nod after previous nominations for "Blue Valentine" and "Brokeback Mountain," though she has yet to take one home.

Recently, former "Dawson's Creek" co-star Joshua Jackson opened up about Williams' critically lauded career.

"It's surreal, in that it would be surreal to see any of your friends [up for an Oscar]. It's amazing. She's an excellent actress," he told MTV News at the Sundance Film Festival. "Of all of us, when we finished that show, she was the one who had the clearest idea about what it was that she wanted to do. To be able to go out and achieve that is no small feat. I just think it's wonderful."

See the complete list of Academy Awards Nominations.

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