Viggo Mortensen is set to snub the Oscars.


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The 49-year-old actor – who is up for a Best Actor Oscar for his portrayal of a ruthless Russian gangster in Eastern Promises – will boycott next month’s prestigious Academy Awards if the Hollywood writers’ strike is still unresolved.

He said: “If there’s a strike I will not go but I have a feeling they’ll solve it. I hope they do. I’m sure my mother would like to see me on TV.”

Mortensen is up against George Clooney, Daniel Day-Lewis, Tommy Lee Jones and Johnny Depp for the Best Actor accolade at the awards ceremony on February 24.

Day-Lewis – who has been nominated for his portrayal of self-made oil baron Daniel Plainview in There Will Be Blood – has refused to comment on the writers’ strike, instead issuing a statement declaring his delight at being recognised this year.

He said: “The Academy has put me shoulder to shoulder with a group of fine actors. I’m proud to be in their company and to have the broader recognition for the film is a lovely thing. I couldn’t be happier for director Paul Thomas Anderson, to whom we owe everything.”

The Writers Guild of America (WGA) strike – which began on November 5 over pay issues – has already disrupted the Golden Globes awards ceremony. The ceremony was scrapped in favour of a press conference because so many stars planned to boycott the event.