Laika to push Decemberists song from 'Wildwood' for Oscar consideration

Laika will put “The Better Part of Bravery” from “Wildwood” forward for consideration in the Academy Awards original song category, for songs written specially for films, as reported by Variety. The track is performed by The Decemberists. It plays at the end of the film.

“Wildwood” is Laika’s stop-motion animated feature, made with puppets moved and photographed frame by frame. It is based on the debut novel by Decemberists frontman Colin Meloy. That book begins the “Wildwood Chronicles” series.

The film was directed and produced by Travis Knight. The screenplay was written by Chris Butler. Peyton Elizabeth Lee voices teenager Prue McKeel, and Jacob Tremblay voices Curtis Mehlberg, the two young leads.

Music is central to the release. The score was composed by Dario Marianelli. The soundtrack will be released on Decca Records on 23 Oct, the same day the film opens in cinemas. The Decemberists also perform two bonus tracks for the release, “Bandit Kind” and “Alexandra’s Lullaby.”

“Wildwood” will have its world premiere at the BFI London Film Festival on Sunday, ahead of its 23 Oct releases. It will then open in cinemas in the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom and Ireland. The gap is short. The premiere comes less than two weeks before general release.

Laika describes “Wildwood” as a love letter to its home just outside Portland, Oregon. Knight, who directed the film, is president and chief executive of the studio. Tickets are on sale now, according to Laika.

What makes this stand out is the circle from page to stage to screen. Meloy wrote the book that started it all. His band now sings the film out. For fans, this means the cinema ending is only the start, with the soundtrack and bonus songs arriving on the same day as the film.