A royal fight ahead

The race is on.

In the weeks leading up to Oscar nomination day, David Fincher’s Facebook movie “The Social Network” had all but been anointed the winner of this year’s best picture Academy Award, racking up nearly every critic’s prize across the country, in addition to taking the top Golden Globe. But Tuesday morning the race heated up significantly with the Academy of Motion Pictures Arts and Sciences handing the British drama “The King’s Speech” 12 nominations -- the most of any film this year.

Joel and Ethan Coen’s western “True Grit” landed 10 nominations while “Social Network” and “Inception” each walked away with eight.

“It seems like an extremely even playing field,” said Scott Rudin, who with “The Social Network” and “True Grit” became the first producer since 1974 to have two films in the best picture race. “I don’t think it’s a two-horse race, I don’t think it’s even a three-horse race. I think it’s going to be a very fun and interesting month.”

The rest of the films in the best picture category include director David O. Russell’s “The Fighter,” which earned seven nods; the James Franco-starring “127 Hours,” which landed six; and “Black Swan” with five; plus “Toy Story 3,” “The Kids Are All Right” and “Winter’s Bone.”

Leaving aside “Toy Story 3,” all of the nine other best-picture nominees are adult-oriented dramas, most of which have done exceedingly well at the box office. “Inception,” “True Grit” and “The Social Network” all passed the $100-million mark, and “Black Swan” is on track to do so. “These are all grown-up, sophisticated movies that are mostly big hits in a genre that people thought was finished,” added Rudin.

This crop of films also serves as a reinforcement for the academy’s decision to expand the best-picture category from five films to 10 last year as a way to better reflect the most popular movies (especially in comparison to the 2010 race, in which top-grossing “Avatar” was nominated but the little-seen indie “The Hurt Locker” won the top prize).

Nearing the finish

Now the teams behind the nominated films and actors will enter the final leg of their marketing campaigns, with four weeks remaining to get their movies seen and admired by all academy voters before ballots are due on Feb. 22. The awards will be handed out Feb. 27.

“The King’s Speech” took home top honors at Saturday’s Producers Guild Awards and seems to be gaining momentum. But the film’s backers aren’t taking anything for granted.

“I do not believe that of the 6,000-plus Oscar members, that everybody saw the movie,” said Harvey Weinstein, whose Weinstein Co. distributed “The King’s Speech,” echoing the sentiments of most Oscar campaigners. “We have to get them all to see the movie.”

Big match

In the top acting categories, the boxing drama “The Fighter” rivaled “The King’s Speech” for the most nominations, with three each. Melissa Leo, Christian Bale and Amy Adams were all selected for their portrayals of characters in the real-life Lowell, Mass., family surrounding boxing champion Micky Ward (played by Mark Wahlberg, who was not nominated for his performance).

“We are here because of all these actors and their performances,” said Russell, who also walked away with a best director nomination along with Darren Aronofsky (“Black Swan”), Tom Hooper (“The King’s Speech”), Fincher (“The Social Network”) and the Coen brothers (“True Grit”). “It’s been very emotional for me and my family.”

The one striking omission in the directing category was Christopher Nolan, whose mind-bending thriller “Inception” landed eight other nominations.

As for “The King’s Speech,” Colin Firth and Helena Bonham Carter were recognized for their portrayal of British royalty, while Geoffrey Rush was rewarded for his role as speech therapist Lionel Logue in the period drama about friendship and loyalty. “It’s a simple thing,” said Weinstein. “The reason the movie got that many nominations is a tribute to this cast. Our actors are our special effects on this movie.”

In contrast, “The Social Network” only received one acting nomination -- for Jesse Eisenberg’s portrayal of Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg. Andrew Garfield’s role as Zuckerberg’s friend-turned-courtroom rival Eduardo Saverin was bypassed in the supporting actor category in favor of turns by Bale, Rush, John Hawkes for “Winter’s Bone,” Jeremy Renner in “The Town” and Mark Ruffalo for “The Kids Are All Right.”

“It’s pretty crazy,” said Ruffalo of his first-time recognition for his role as a sperm donor in director Lisa Cholodenko’s family drama. “I think this is as close as you can be to becoming royalty in this country. It’s like being a duke. I was pretty much blown away.”

One of the other actors landing a nomination for the first time was “127 Hours” star Franco, who will also be hosting the show with Anne Hathaway on Feb. 27. Franco said he’s relieved to have double duty on Oscar night.

“It’s great,” he said. “The hosting duties will have me thinking about the show and not thinking about my category.” He will compete in the lead category against rookie Eisenberg, veterans Javier Bardem in “Biutiful,” Jeff Bridges in “True Grit” and Firth in “The King’s Speech.”

Young guns

The lead actress category pits Annette Bening (“The Kids Are All Right”) versus Nicole Kidman (“Rabbit Hole”), Natalie Portman (“Black Swan”), Michelle Williams (“Blue Valentine”) and Jennifer Lawrence (“Winter’s Bone). At 20, Lawrence is the youngest nominee in the category for her role as the determined teenager in “Winter’s Bone.”

There was a chance that Lawrence would be competing against the plucky 14-year-old Hailee Steinfeld for her starring role in “True Grit,” but Paramount Pictures pushed her in the supporting category -- as is somewhat traditional for someone of her age and inexperience.

The academy responded, nominating Steinfeld opposite four more seasoned actresses: Adams, Leo, Bonham Carter and Australian Jacki Weaver for her role in the crime drama “Animal Kingdom.” Steinfeld is still marveling at the luck of her first acting role turning into an Academy Award-nominated performance.

“Just a year ago, I was auditioning for the role and thinking whoever gets this is winning the lotto,” she said. “All of this coming with it is just so crazy.”

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nicole.sperling@latimes.com

Times staff writers Chris Lee, John Horn and Rebecca Keegan contributed to this report.

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BEGIN TEXT OF INFOBOX

The tally

Here is the list of movies that received more than one Oscar nomination Tuesday.

“The King’s Speech” 12

“True Grit” 10

“Inception” 8

“The Social Network 8

“The Fighter” 7

“127 Hours” 6

“Black Swan” 5

“Toy Story 3” 5

“The Kids Are All Right” 4

“Winter’s Bone” 4

“Alice in Wonderland” 3

“Biutiful” 2

“Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows -- Part 1” 2

“How to Train Your Dragon” 2

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Oscars on TV

The 83rd Academy Awards will be broadcast from the Kodak Theatre in Hollywood on ABC at 5 p.m. on Feb. 27.

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Now playing

Here is the domestic box-office take of the 10 best picture nominees and where you can see them now.

“127 Hours” limited theatrical release

“Black Swan” wide theatrical release

“Inception” on DVD

“The Fighter” wide theatrical release

“The Kids Are All Right” on DVD

“The King’s Speech” wide theatrical release

“The Social Network” limited theatrical release and on DVD

“Toy Story 3” on DVD

“True Grit” wide theatrical release

“Winter’s Bone” limited theatrical release and on DVD

Source: Hollywood.com box office and Times research

Los Angeles Times

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LEAD ACTOR

COLIN FIRTH “The King’s Speech”

For his poignant performance as King George VI, the 50-year-old Firth earns his second consecutive lead actor Oscar nomination. He was nominated in this category last year for “A Single Man.” He’s already won the British Independent Film Award, the Golden Globe and the Critics’ Choice Movie Award as well as lead actor from the Los Angeles Film Critics Assn. and the New York Film Critics Circle. He is also nominated for Screen Actors Guild and BAFTA awards.

JESSE EISENBERG “The Social Network”

The 27-year-old Eisenberg stands to make academy history if he wins the lead actor Oscar for his role as Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg: He would be the youngest actor to receive the honor. Eisenberg won lead actor honors from the National Board of Review of Motion Pictures and National Society of Film Critics. He was nominated for a Golden Globe and Critics’ Choice Movie Award and is up for SAG and BAFTA awards.

JEFF BRIDGES “True Grit”

The 61-year-old Bridges, who won the lead actor Oscar last year for “Crazy Heart,” earns his sixth Oscar nomination and his third in the lead actor category, as the colorful, one-eyed U.S. Marshal Rooster Cogburn. John Wayne won the lead actor Oscar 41 years ago playing Cogburn in the first adaptation of the novel. Though snubbed this year by the Golden Globes, Bridges has earned nominations for the Critics’ Choice Movie Awards, SAG and BAFTA.

JAMES FRANCO “127 Hours”

This year’s Oscar co-host is also a first-time lead actor Academy Award nominee, for his performance as Aron Ralston, a trapped rock climber who must amputate part of his arm to save his life. Franco, 32, was nominated for a Golden Globe and Critics’ Choice Movie Award and is up for a Spirit Award, BAFTA and SAG awards for his performance in the Danny Boyle-directed drama.

JAVIER BARDEM “Biutiful”

For his portrayal of Uxbal, a father of two who is dying of cancer, the 41-year-old Bardem receives his second lead actor Oscar nomination. The Spanish actor was a previous nominee in this category for 2000’s “Before Night Falls” and won the Academy Award for supporting actor three years ago for “No Country for Old Men.” Bardem won best actor last May at the Cannes Film Festival for the Spanish/Mexican drama and is in contention for a BAFTA Award.

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LEAD ACTRESS

ANNETTE BENING “The Kids Are All Right”

Fresh from winning the Golden Globe for lead actress in a comedy or musical, Bening earns her fourth Academy Award nomination and her third in the lead actress race for her role as Nic, a doctor whose happy life with her longtime companion (Julianne Moore) and their two teenagers is upended after their children contact the partners’ sperm donor. Bening, 52, was nominated for a Critics’ Choice Movie Award and is in contention for SAG, Spirit and BAFTA awards for her performance. She was previously nominated for lead actress for 1999’s “American Beauty” and 2004’s “Being Julia.” She was a supporting actress nominee for 1990’s “The Grifters.”

JENNIFER LAWRENCE “Winter’s Bone”

The 20-year-old actress, who cut her teeth on the TBS sitcom “The Bill Engvall Show,” earns her first lead actress nomination for her acclaimed performance as Ree, a strong-willed Ozark teenager who encounters danger when she tries to find her drug-dealing father. Lawrence has won the National Board of Review of Motion Pictures award for breakthrough performance and earned lead actress honors at the Seattle International Film Festival and from the Washington D.C. Area Film Critics Assn. She was nominated for a Golden Globe and Critics’ Choice Movie Award and is up for a Spirit Award and a SAG Award. If Lawrence wins, she’ll be the youngest woman to ever receive a lead actress Academy Award.

NICOLE KIDMAN “Rabbit Hole”

The lead actress Oscar winner for her portrayal of Virginia Woolf in 2002’s “The Hours” earns her third nomination in the category, for her role as Becca, a woman trying to cope with the death of a child. Kidman, 43, was nominated for a Golden Globe and Critics’ Choice Movie Award for her performance and is vying for SAG and Spirit awards. She received her first Academy Award nomination for 2001’s Moulin Rouge.”

NATALIE PORTMAN “Black Swan”

Portman, 29, who began her career as a child actress and who appeared as Padme in George Lucas’ second wave of “Star Wars” films, earns her first lead actress nomination as Nina, a prima ballerina descending into madness as she prepares for her starring turn in “Swan Lake.” The newly engaged mother-to-be was previously nominated for supporting actress for 2004’s drama “Closer.” The winner of the Golden Globe for lead actress in a motion picture drama and the Critics’ Choice Movie Award, Portman is also in contention for SAG, Spirit and BAFTA awards.

MICHELLE WILLIAMS “Blue Valentine”

A supporting actress Oscar nominee five years ago for director Ang Lee’s “Brokeback Mountain,” the former “Dawson’s Creek” costar receives her first lead actress nomination as Cindy, a young woman whose marriage is falling apart. Williams, 30, was nominated for a Golden Globe and Critics’ Choice Movie Award for the role and is in contention for a Spirit Award.

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DIRECTOR

DAVID FINCHER “The Social Network”

The 48-year-old filmmaker has won numerous critics awards for the drama about the creation of Facebook, including from the Los Angeles Film Critics Assn., the New York Film Critics Circle, the National Society of Film Critics and the Critics’ Choice Movie Awards. Fincher also won the Golden Globe and is nominated for a Directors Guild of America Award and a BAFTA. Fincher was previously nominated in this category two years ago for “The Curious Case of Benjamin Button.”

TOM HOOPER “The King’s Speech”

The 38-year-old British director is a first-time Oscar nominee in this category for his work on the historical British drama about King George VI working to overcome his stutter. Hooper was nominated for a Golden Globe and Critics’ Choice Movie Award, and the director is in contention for DGA and BAFTA awards.

JOEL AND ETHAN COEN “True Grit”

The iconoclastic filmmaking brothers receive their second director Oscar nomination together (for Joel, his third overall) with their adaptation of the Charles Portis novel. They won in this category three years ago for “No Country for Old Men.” They also won Oscars for adapted screenplay and best picture for “No Country for Old Men” and for original screenplay for 1996’s “Fargo.” They were nominated for a Critics’ Choice Movie Award for directing “True Grit.”

DAVID O. RUSSELL “The Fighter”

The 52-year-old writer-director picks up his first director Academy Award nomination for his inspirational drama about a boxer who gets a second chance. Russell was nominated for a Golden Globe for his work and received the Director of the Year Award this month at the Palm Springs Film Festival. Russell, whose previous films include “Three Kings,” is also in contention for a DGA award.

DARREN ARONOFSKY “Black Swan”

The indie filmmaker earns his first director Oscar nomination for his psychological thriller set against the backdrop of the ballet. The 41-year-old director earned nominations for Golden Globe and Critics’ Choice Movie Awards and is in contention for DGA, BAFTA and Spirit awards.

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SUPPORTING ACTOR

CHRISTIAN BALE “The Fighter”

The former child actor who came to fame in Steven Spielberg’s 1987 “Empire of the Sun” and is widely known as Bruce Wayne/Batman in Christopher Nolan’s blockbusters, earns his first supporting actor nomination, as a former pro boxer fighting drug addiction. Bale, 36, has won several honors for his performance, including from the National Board of Review of Motion Pictures, the Critics’ Choice Movie Awards and the Golden Globes. He is also nominated for SAG and BAFTA awards.

JOHN HAWKES “Winter’s Bone”

The indie favorite earns his first supporting actor nomination for his role as Teardrop, the intense, violent uncle of an Ozark teen looking for her drug-dealing father. Hawkes, 51, who first came to fame in the 2005 acclaimed indie “Me and You and Everyone We Know” won the San Diego Film Critics Society Award for his edgy performance and is nominated for a Spirit and SAG awards.

MARK RUFFALO “The Kids Are All Right”

The popular indie actor picks up his first Academy Award recognition playing a sperm donor who meets his offspring in the quirky comedy. Ruffalo, 43, has already won the New York Film Critics Circle supporting actor award and is nominated for Spirit, SAG and BAFTA awards.

JEREMY RENNER “The Town”

The 40-year-old performer, who was a lead actor nominee last year for “The Hurt Locker,” garners his first nomination in the supporting actor category as James Coughlin, a hair-trigger-tempered Boston bank robber. Renner was in contention for the Golden Globe for the Ben Affleck-directed thriller and is up for a SAG award.

GEOFFREY RUSH “The King’s Speech”

The 59-year-old Australian won a supporting actor award from the National Society of Film Critics for his performance as speech therapist Lionel Logue and was up for a Golden Globe. He is in contention for a BAFTA and a SAG award. Rush won the lead actor Oscar for 1996’s “Shine.” Two years later, he was nominated for supporting actor for “Shakespeare in Love” and two years after that for lead actor in “Quills.”

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SUPPORTING ACTRESS

AMY ADAMS “The Fighter”

The 36-year-old redhead earns her third Oscar nomination in the supporting actress category, for her role as Charlene, a bartender who falls in love with a boxer (Mark Wahlberg). She was previously nominated for Academy Awards for 2005’s “Junebug” as a naive young wife and for her turn as a nun in 2008’s “Doubt.” Adams was nominated for a Golden Globe and is in contention for BAFTA and SAG awards.

JACKI WEAVER “Animal Kingdom”

The 63-year-old Australian actress garners her first Academy Award nomination playing Smurf, the outwardly happy-go-lucky mother of four bank robbers who isn’t quite as carefree as she seems. Weaver, who is a well-known stage, TV and film actress in her native country, was nominated for a Golden Globe and won National Board of Review and Los Angeles Film Critics Assn. honors for her work in the film.

HAILEE STEINFELD “True Grit”

As the plucky Mattie Ross, a 14-year-old girl who hires an ornery U.S. marshal to find her father’s killer, Steinfeld earns her first supporting actress Oscar nomination. Steinfeld won the Critics’ Choice Movie Award for best young actress and earned the supporting actress prize from the Chicago Film Critics Assn. Steinfeld is also nominated for a BAFTA in the lead actress category.

MELISSA LEO “The Fighter”

Two years after being nominated for her lead performance in “Frozen River,” the 50-year-old Leo returns to the Oscar fold in the supporting actress category as Alice, the feisty manager-mother of a boxer. She won the Golden Globe, as well as the New York Film Critics Circle and the Washington D.C. Area Film Critics Assn. honors for “The Fighter” and is in contention for a SAG Award.

HELENA BONHAM CARTER “The King’s Speech”

A lead actress nominee for 1997’s “The Wings of the Dove,” the 44-year-old Bonham Carter picks up her first Oscar nod in the supporting actress category, as the strong-willed Queen Elizabeth who tries to help her husband, King George VI, correct his stammer. Bonham Carter won the British Independent Film Award for her performance, was nominated for a Golden Globe and is in contention for SAG and BAFTA Awards.

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THE OTHER NOMINEES

Animated feature

“How to Train Your Dragon”

“The Illusionist”

“Toy Story 3”

Foreign language film

“Biutiful” (Mexico)

“Dogtooth” (Greece)

“In a Better World” (Denmark)

“Incendies” (Canada)

“Outside the Law” (Hors-la-loi) (Algeria)

Original screenplay

“Another Year,” written by Mike Leigh

“The Fighter,” screenplay by Scott Silver and Paul Tamasy & Eric Johnson; story by Keith Dorrington & Paul Tamasy & Eric Johnson

“Inception,” written by Christopher Nolan

“The Kids Are All Right,” written by Lisa Cholodenko & Stuart Blumberg

“The King’s Speech,” screenplay by David Seidler

Adapted screenplay

“127 Hours,” screenplay by Danny Boyle & Simon Beaufoy

“The Social Network,” screenplay by Aaron Sorkin

“Toy Story 3,” screenplay by Michael Arndt; story by John Lasseter, Andrew Stanton, Lee Unkrich

“True Grit,” written by Joel Coen & Ethan Coen

“Winter’s Bone,” adapted by Debra Granik & Anne Rosellini

Cinematography

“Black Swan,” Matthew Libatique

“Inception,” Wally Pfister

“The King’s Speech,” Danny Cohen

“The Social Network,” Jeff Cronenweth

“True Grit,” Roger Deakins

Film editing

“Black Swan,” Andrew Weisblum

“The Fighter,” Pamela Martin

“The King’s Speech,” Tariq Anwar

“127 Hours,” Jon Harris

“The Social Network,” Angus Wall and Kirk Baxter

Art direction

“Alice in Wonderland,” Robert Stromberg (production design), Karen O’Hara (set decoration)

“Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows -- Part 1,” Stuart Craig (production design), Stephenie McMillan (set decoration)

“Inception,” Guy Hendrix Dyas (production design), Larry Dias, Doug Mowat (set decoration)

“The King’s Speech,” Eve Stewart (production design), Judy Farr (set decoration)

“True Grit,” Jess Gonchor (production design), Nancy Haigh (set decoration)

Costume design

“Alice in Wonderland,” Colleen Atwood

“I Am Love,” Antonella Cannarozzi

“The King’s Speech,” Jenny Beavan

“The Tempest,” Sandy Powell

“True Grit,” Mary Zophres

Makeup

“Barney’s Version,” Adrien Morot

“The Way Back,” Edouard F. Henriques, Gregory Funk, Yolanda Toussieng

“The Wolfman,” Rick Baker, Dave Elsey

Sound editing

“Inception,” Richard King

“Toy Story 3,” Tom Myers, Michael Silvers

“Tron: Legacy,” Gwendolyn Yates Whittle, Addison Teague

“True Grit,” Skip Lievsay, Craig Berkey

“Unstoppable,” Mark P. Stoeckinger

Sound mixing

“Inception,” Lora Hirschberg, Gary A. Rizzo, Ed Novick

“The King’s Speech,” Paul Hamblin, Martin Jensen, John Midgley

“Salt,” Jeffrey J. Haboush, Greg P. Russell, Scott Millan, William Sarokin

“The Social Network,” Ren Klyce, David Parker, Michael Semanick, Mark Weingarten

“True Grit,” Skip Lievsay, Craig Berkey, Greg Orloff, Peter F. Kurland

Visual effects

“Alice in Wonderland,” Ken Ralston, David Schaub, Carey Villegas, Sean Phillips

“Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows -- Part 1,” Tim Burke, John Richardson, Christian Manz, Nicolas Aithadi

“Hereafter,” Michael Owens, Bryan Grill, Stephan Trojanski, Joe Farrell

“Inception,” Paul Franklin, Chris Corbould, Andrew Lockley, Peter Bebb

“Iron Man 2,” Janek Sirrs, Ben Snow, Ged Wright, Daniel Sudick

Original score

“How to Train Your Dragon,” John Powell

“Inception,” Hans Zimmer

“The King’s Speech,” Alexandre Desplat

“127 Hours,” A.R. Rahman

“The Social Network,” Trent Reznor, Atticus Ross

Original song

“Coming Home” from “Country Strong,” music and lyrics by Tom Douglas, Troy Verges and Hillary Lindsey

“I See the Light” from “Tangled,” music by Alan Menken, lyrics by Glenn Slater

“If I Rise” from “127 Hours,” music by A.R. Rahman, lyrics by Dido and Rollo Armstrong

“We Belong Together” from “Toy Story 3,” music and lyrics by Randy Newman

Documentary feature

“Exit Through the Gift Shop,” Banksy and Jaimie D’Cruz

“Gasland,” Josh Fox and Trish Adlesic

“Inside Job,” Charles Ferguson and Audrey Marrs

“Restrepo,” Tim Hetherington and Sebastian Junger

“Waste Land,” Lucy Walker and Angus Aynsley

Documentary short subject

“Killing in the Name,” Nominees to be determined

“Poster Girl,” Nominees to be determined

“Strangers No More,” Karen Goodman and Kirk Simon

“Sun Come Up,” Jennifer Redfearn and Tim Metzger

“The Warriors of Qiugang,” Ruby Yang and Thomas Lennon

Animated short film

“Day & Night,” Teddy Newton

“The Gruffalo,” Jakob Schuh, Max Lang

“Let’s Pollute,” Geefwee Boedoe

“The Lost Thing,” Shaun Tan, Andrew Ruhemann

“Madagascar, carnet de voyage (Madagascar, a Journey Diary),” Bastien Dubois

Live action short film

“The Confession,” Tanel Toom

“The Crush,” Michael Creagh

“God of Love,” Luke Matheny

“Na Wewe,” Ivan Goldschmidt

“Wish 143,” Ian Barnes, Samantha Waite

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VOICES

‘I probably will have some jitters hosting the show.... My guess is those jitters will override the award jitters.’ -- James Franco, lead actor nominee and Oscar co-host

‘I’m really looking forward to his introducing me as an adapted screenplay nominee.’ -- Danny Boyle, ‘127 Hours’ director, Danny Boyle on his star, James Franco

‘It’s been a dream and that’s weird because usually I don’t have dreams where my pants are on.’ -- Trent Reznor, on scoring ‘The Social Network’

‘I get nervous for everything. I’m sort of getting the hang of it. I take my deep breaths and I just go for it.’ -- Hailee Steinfeld, ‘True Grit’ supporting actress nominee, on walking the red carpet

‘That’s what audiences are connecting to, the emotion and heart of the picture and the regular working people that don’t ever give up.’ -- David O. Russell, director, on his film ‘The Fighter’

‘Anyone who’s in the industry, who’s honest, admits that they’ve dreamed about this.’ -- David Seidler, original screenplay nominee, ‘The King’s Speech’

‘I think this is as close as you can be to becoming royalty in this country. It’s like being a duke!’ -- Mark Ruffalo, on his supporting actor nomination

‘There was that sort of moment when there was this idea that this was a cynical attempt to make a film to get this kind of attention. It didn’t seem to be particularly obvious to anyone when we were trying to finance it. It had a precarious birth. There were many times when I thought “Oh God, this is gonna fall apart.’? -- Tom Hooper, director of ?The King’s Speech?