Oscar Musical Nominees: 'Muppets,' John Williams, 'Rio,' 'The Artist'

Nominations for the 84th annual Academy Awards were announced today and while "The Artist" and "The Descendants," and "The Help" all got their expected due, this year's music nominations were less known.

This year's Best Original Score nominees included a two-time nominee in John Williams, who was nominated for both "The Adventures of Tintin," and "War Horse" and now has a 40% chance of taking home the golden statuette. Other nominees included Golden Globe winner Ludovic Bource for "The Artist," perennial winner Howard Shore for "Hugo," and Alberto Iglesias for "Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy."

Only two nominees were named this year for best original song: "Man or Muppet" from "The Muppets" by Bret McKenzie and "Real in Rio" by Brazilian music legends Sergio Mendes and Carlinhos Brown with lyrics by Siedah Garrett.

Elton John was both shut out due to a rule change explained thusly by the Associated Press of the best-picture field: "Because of a rule change requiring films to receive a certain number of first-place votes, the best-picture field has only nine nominees rather than the 10 that were in the running the last two years." Madonna, who recently won a Golden Globe for her song "Masterpiece," was not eligible for an Oscar this year. Billboard.biz will have more on the nominations soon.

Winners will be decided at the 84th annual Academy Awards on Feb. 26.

Music (Original Score)
The Adventures of Tintin
John Williams

The Artist
Ludovic Bource

Hugo
Howard Shore

Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy
Alberto Iglesias

War Horse
John Williams

Music (Original Song)
"Man or Muppet" from THE MUPPETS
Music and Lyric by Bret McKenzie

"Real in Rio" from RIO
Music by Sergio Mendes and Carlinhos Brown
Lyric by Siedah Garrett