Big star crowd expected at Oscar luncheon

BEVERLY HILLS, Calif., Feb. 4 (UPI) -- Nearly all of the stars up for Academy Awards will be on hand in Beverly Hills, Calif., next week for the annual nominees' luncheon, the organizers announced.

The Hollywood Reporter said Saturday 18 of the 20 acting nominees had confirmed they would attend Monday's event with only "beginners" Christopher Plummer and Jessica Chastain of "The Help" sending their regrets.

The room at the Beverly Hilton Hotel will, however, be graced by the likes of George Clooney, Glenn Close, Meryl Streep, Nick Nolte and Viola Davis.

Martin Scorsese will lead the directors delegation, although it appeared Woody Allen and Terrence Malick would not make it, The Reporter said.