Martin Scorsese Reacts to His Oscar Nomination for "The Aviator"

The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences honored Martin Scorsese with his seventh Academy Award nomination for directing "The Aviator," the Howard Hughes biopic starring Leonardo DiCaprio and Cate Blanchett. Scorsese, who has yet to win an Oscar, had previously been nominated for directing "Raging Bull," "The Last Temptation of Christ," "Good Fellas," and "Gangs of New York." He was also nominated for his "Good Fellas" and "The Age of Innocence" screenplays.

Commenting on his Oscar nomination, Scorsese said, "Bringing 'The Aviator' to the screen took years of effort by an extraordinary group of individuals, and I am thrilled that so many of the people who poured their heart into the film have been recognized by the Academy. It is a thrill for me to know that the efforts of so many talented members of the cast and crew have been honored with nominations."

Considered to be one of America's finest filmmakers, Scorsese has directed more than 25 films including "Mean Streets," "Raging Bull," "The Color of Money," "Casino," and "Bringing Out the Dead." Producer Roger Corman is credited with giving Scorsese, a New York University graduate who was working as a film editor at the time, his first big break back in 1972. Corman choose Scorsese to direct Barbara Hershey and David Carradine in "Boxcar Bertha." Scorsese followed that film up with "Mean Streets," starring Robert DeNiro and Harvey Keitel, and has since gone on to be one of the most critically acclaimed directors of his generation.

Scorsese is currently in pre-production on "The Departed" with Matt Damon, Leonardo DiCaprio, and Mark Wahlberg set to star.