BEVERLY HILLS, Calif. (AP) — Sylvester Stallone put his Oscars attendance in "Creed" director Ryan Coogler's hands, he told reporters on Monday at the annual luncheon gathering of Academy Award nominees.

Amid all the discussions of boycotting the Oscars for its lack of racial diversity among the acting nominees, Stallone, who is nominated for his supporting performance in "Creed," asked Coogler how he wanted him to handle it. Coogler told Stallone to go and represent the film.

Oscar nominees gathered at the Beverly Hilton to celebrate the honor before the golden statuettes are handed out on Feb. 28.

Attendees included "The Danish Girl's" Alicia Vikander and Eddie Redmayne, "Room's" Brie Larson, and "The Big Short's" Adam McKay, and much of the discussion remained focused on the ongoing #oscarssowhite conversation.

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Online: www.oscars.org