Oscar Nominations: Nick Nolte, Brad Pitt and Gary Oldman in surprise bids for top gongs
IT will be a head-to-head all out battle for the top awards at the Oscars this year as the nominations for the coveted statues were announced.
Meryl Streep, Martin Scorcese and Brad PItt were among the nominees for the top awards.
Surprise nominations came in the Best Supporting Actress category with Bridesmaids actress Melissa McCarthy picking up a nomination.
Brad Pitt and Gary Oldman will go up against Golden Globe winner George Clooney for Best Actor.
While Viola Davis is to take on Meryl Streep and Michelle Williams for Best Actress.
The Oscars will be presented in Feb 26 at the Kodak Theatre in Los Angeles hosted by Billy Crystal and broadcast live on ABC.
FULL LIST OF NOMINATIONS
Oscars nominations 2012
Actor in a Leading Role
* Demián Bichir in "A Better Life"
* George Clooney in "The Descendants"
* Jean Dujardin in "The Artist"
* Brad Pitt in "Moneyball"
Actor in a Supporting Role
* Kenneth Branagh in "My Week with Marilyn"
* Jonah Hill in "Moneyball"
* Nick Nolte in "Warrior"
* Christopher Plummer in "Beginners"
* Max von Sydow in "Extremely Loud & Incredibly Close"
Actress in a Leading Role
* Glenn Close in "Albert Nobbs"
* Viola Davis in "The Help"
* Rooney Mara in "The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo"
Actress in a Supporting Role
* Bérénice Bejo in "The Artist"
* Jessica Chastain in "The Help"
* Melissa McCarthy in "Bridesmaids"
* Janet McTeer in "Albert Nobbs"
* Octavia Spencer in "The Help"
Animated Feature Film
* "A Cat in Paris" Alain Gagnol and Jean-Loup Felicioli