Laika Submits Wildwood Song for Oscars by The Decemberists

Animation powerhouse Laika is making a strong early play for the upcoming Academy Awards season. Sources have confirmed that the studio will submit the original song “The Better Part of Bravery” for consideration in the best original song category. Performed by the acclaimed indie rock band The Decemberists, the song serves as the emotional closing piece for the studio's latest stop-motion animated feature, “Wildwood.”

The film itself is an ambitious adaptation of the debut fantasy novel written by Colin Meloy, the lead singer and songwriter of The Decemberists. The story follows a teenager named Prue McKeel, voiced by Peyton Elizabeth Lee, on a desperate and dangerous mission to rescue her baby brother. After her sibling is abducted by a flock of crows, Prue ventures deep into the Impassable Wilderness, an enchanted and hidden forest situated just beyond the edge of Portland, Oregon.

Along her journey, Prue is joined by her classmate Curtis Mehlberg, voiced by Jacob Tremblay. Together, they stumble upon a magical ecosystem populated by talking animals, dangerous bandits, and powerful figures driven by a complex mix of grief and ambition. As they are inexorably pulled into a massive conflict threatening the balance of the forest, Prue must navigate extraordinary perils to save her brother and determine the ultimate fate of Wildwood.

For Colin Meloy, seeing his literary creation translated into the painstaking stop-motion style of Laika has been a deeply rewarding experience. He noted that writing the song for the end credits provided a unique opportunity to revisit the universe of the story from a fresh perspective. Having his music accompany the audience as they exit the theater and the narrative officially draws to a close carries profound personal meaning for the artist.

The track is a key highlight of the film's official soundtrack, which is slated for release via Decca Records. This musical rollout will coincide with the theatrical opening of “Wildwood” in cinemas across the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, and Ireland. In addition to the Oscar-contending track, The Decemberists have contributed two exclusive bonus tracks to the project, titled “Bandit Kind” and “Alexandra’s Lullaby,” further expanding the sonic landscape of the movie.

While the film's sweeping orchestral score is composed by Academy Award winner Dario Marianelli, the involvement of The Decemberists lends a distinct regional and indie-folk flavor that aligns perfectly with Laika's signature aesthetic. David Burke, Laika’s chief marketing and operations officer and an executive producer on the film, emphasized the collaborative synergy between the animation team and the musicians. As the awards race heats up, this musical submission highlights the studio's comprehensive strategy to capture voter attention across multiple creative categories.