Scorsese’s double whammy

Traditional filmmaking styles dominated Directors Guild of America nominations for work in feature films, and for the first time the recipient of the organization’s highest tribute also is among the nominees.

Martin Scorsese, who will receive the guild’s Lifetime Achievement Award, was one of five nominees announced Tuesday for best director of 2002 for his three-hour historical epic, “Gangs of New York.” Scorsese also received his first Golden Globe award Sunday evening as best director for the lavish drama he’s struggled to bring to the screen for 30 years.

The remaining DGA feature director nominees are Stephen Daldry for the poignant literary drama “The Hours,” which Sunday won the Golden Globe for best dramatic picture; Peter Jackson for “The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers,” the second installment in his fantasy trilogy; Rob Marshall for his rollicking musical comedy “Chicago”; and Roman Polanski for his moving Holocaust drama, “The Pianist.”

“Gangs of New York” marks Scorsese’s fifth DGA nomination. The 60-year-old director previously was nominated for “Taxi Driver” (1976), “Raging Bull” (1980), “GoodFellas” (1990) and “The Age of Innocence” (1993).

“I am deeply honored and grateful to my colleagues and friends at the DGA for recognizing ‘Gangs of New York’ in this way,” Scorsese, who was traveling in Mexico, said in a statement released Tuesday.

Missing from the list of nominees were the directors of some critics’ favorites: Alexander Payne for “About Schmidt,” Spike Jonze for “Adaptation” and Todd Haynes for “Far From Heaven.” Also absent are previous DGA winners Sam Mendes for “Road to Perdition” and Steven Spielberg for “Catch Me if You Can” or “Minority Report.”

DGA President Martha Coolidge made the announcement Tuesday at DGA headquarters in West Hollywood. Initial nominees for work in television will be announced Feb. 3. Ceremonies are scheduled for March 1 at the Century Plaza Hotel in L.A.

Since 1949, only five times have the DGA and the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences differed in their choice for best director. The last time was two years ago when Ang Lee won for “Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon” and the academy chose Steven Soderbergh for “Traffic.”

British-born Daldry is a first-time DGA nominee. A cutting-edge theater director best known in America for his inventive 1994 Broadway revival of “An Inspector Calls,” Daldry, 42, made his feature directorial debut with the charming “Billy Elliot” in 2000 for which he received an Oscar nomination. He was also a nominee Sunday at the Golden Globes for best director for “The Hours.”

“To be nominated by your peers is the biggest thrill you could possibly have,” Daldry said.

Marshall, 42, also hails from the theater. Three years ago, he was nominated for a DGA award for his direction of the TV movie musical “Annie.” The former Broadway dancer made his feature debut with “Chicago.”

Marshall, still flying high over “Chicago” being honored Sunday with a Golden Globe for best picture in the musical/comedy category, was also a Globe directing nominee. Marshall said receiving the DGA nomination “from your peers is a whole other thing. It means so much. I’m new to the club so to be welcomed this way is so gratifying and that they recognize a musical is an important way of telling a story is just a wonderful thing for musicals.” The last time a filmmaker received the DGA award for directing a musical was 37 years ago when Robert Wise won for “The Sound of Music.”

“The Two Towers” is Jackson’s second DGA nomination. The 41-year-old New Zealand filmmaker picked up a nomination last year for the blockbuster hit, “The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring.” Jackson also received a Golden Globe nomination this year for “Two Towers.”

At 69, Polanski is the elder statesman of the five nominees. The Polish filmmaker was previously nominated in this category for “Rosemary’s Baby” (1968) and “Chinatown” (1974). Polanski received best director for “The Pianist” from the Boston Society of Film Critics and the National Society of Film Critics.

“Nothing can be more gratifying than recognition by one’s peers,” Polanski said in a statement Tuesday. “My nomination by the DGA for ‘The Pianist’ gives me the greatest pleasure. However, it would not have been possible without the collaboration of my magnificent crew. I am grateful to them and to the DGA.”