Morgan Freeman and Matt Damon Get Oscar Nod for ‘Invictus’

Invictus stars Morgan Freeman and Matt Damon received an Oscar nod this morning when the 2010 Academy Award nominations were announced.  Invictus chronicles how South African President Nelson Mandela and Rugby star Francois Pienaar joined forces to unite the country by winning the 1995 World Cup.

Morgan Freeman played the role of Nelson Mandela in the film and made a statement about his nomination:

I’d like to thank the Academy for this extraordinary honor. Congratulations to Matt Damon on his nomination. I’m especially grateful to Clint Eastwood, Invictus producer, Lori McCreary, and the entire cast and crew of ‘Invictus.’  Most importantly, thank you to Nelson Mandela for his encouragement, his blessing and his friendship – without which, this film would not have been possible.

Matt Damon portrayed Francois Pienaar, the captain of the South African rugby team.  Damon had the following comment on his nomination:

To be directed by Clint Eastwood every day and to sit across the table from Morgan Freeman and watch him do what he did was a dream come true. I’m so grateful that this role came my way.

If you have not seen Invictus, you need to see it!  Read my review or check out the trailer below.  It’s a fabulous film with an uplifting message.

httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E9Ovkye6lac