Oscars 2016: Eddie Redmayne leads the British charge for Academy Award glory

“The Revenant”, about a fur trapper mauled by a bear and left for dead by his companions, brought nominations for DiCaprio, who has never won an Oscar, and supporting actor for Tom Hardy.

The best picture nominees also include independent films “Room”, “Spotlight” and “Brooklyn” as well as studio productions “The Big Short” and “Bridge of Spies”, which had budgets in the $20 million to $40 million range.

The 41-year-old added, “There are a lot of things that I would wish for the world because there are things on this planet I would love to see happen that just aren’t happening”. “I think this could be Leo’s year to win, I hope so, I think he did a brilliant job”, said Inarritu, who was effusive about his lead.

Some 6,000 members of the Academy, all of them who work in the film industry, vote for the films, actors and directors that will be vying for an Oscar. He’s also at the flawless age as an actor, he has all the talent, all the sensitivity.

The film has already won three Golden Globes, and is nominated for BAFTA Film Awards in eight categories – including best actor, where DiCaprio will face competition from Eddie Redmayne, Michael Fassbender, Matt Damon and Bryan Cranston. “I am so grateful to the Academy for their recognition of this film”.

The season’s most wide-open field, supporting actor, finally came into view.

Hardy was more modest about his nomination.

“I know it’s a cliché, but the truth is it’s ultimately not why you do these films”. You work out your co-ordination with the other actors, the camera, and all other departments and then you have this manic hour-and-a-half of natural light where you have to achieve that day’s work. H e had a great voice and knew all the lyrics too, which is critical. Fox Star Studios is releasing “The Revenant” in India on January 26.