Laika Submits Original Song From ‘Wildwood’ for Oscars, ‘The Better Part of Bravery,’ Performed by The Decemberists (EXCLUSIVE)

Laika will submit “The Better Part of Bravery” from the animated feature “Wildwood” for consideration in the original song category at the Academy Awards, Variety has learned. The song is performed by The Decemberists and plays at the end of the film.

“Wildwood” follows teenager Prue McKeel (Peyton Elizabeth Lee) on a desperate mission to rescue her brother after he is abducted by a murder of crows. Her rescue takes her into the Impassable Wilderness, an enchanted forest hidden just beyond Portland, Oregon. Joining Prue is her classmate Curtis Mehlberg (Jacob Tremblay), and the two enter a world of talking animals, bandits and powerful figures driven by grief and ambition. As the pair is drawn into a conflict threatening the balance of the forest itself, Prue must find a way to save her brother while confronting forces that could determine Wildwood’s future.

The film is based on the debut novel by Decemberists frontman Colin Meloy and is the beginning of the “Wildwood Chronicles.”

Meloy says, “‘Wildwood’ has been part of my life for many years and seeing the story transformed like this has been an extraordinary experience. Writing the song for the end credits gave me a chance to return to the world of ‘Wildwood’ in a different way. There’s something particularly meaningful about having music accompany the audience as they leave the forest and the story comes to a close.”

The song features on the film’s soundtrack, which is set to be released on Decca Records, in line with the film opening in cinemas in the U.S., Canada, the U.K. and Ireland.

The Decemberists also perform two bonus tracks: “Bandit Kind” and “Alexandra’s Lullaby.”

The film’s score comes from composer Dario Marianelli.

Laika’s chief marketing and operations officer and executive producer of “Wildwood,” David Burke says, “Music has always been part of the DNA of ‘Wildwood,’ so bringing together Dario Marianelli’s extraordinary score and new songs from The Decemberists feels like a natural extension of the world Colin Meloy first imagined. Dario has given the film a sweeping emotional and cinematic scale, while Colin’s music brings the story full circle. Together, they’ve created something that is both deeply personal and epic in its ambition — a remarkable musical expression of the world of ‘Wildwood.’”

The film is directed and produced by Travis Knight (“Kubo and the Two Strings”) and written by Chris Butler (“ParaNorman”).

The film will premiere worldwide at BFI London Film Festival on Sunday, ahead of the Oct. 23 soundtrack and theatrical releases.

WILDWOOD (ORIGINAL MOTION PICTURE SOUNDTRACK) TRACKLISTING

1. The Impassable Wilderness
2. Meet the McKeels
3. Into the Wild Wood
4. The Coyotes
5. A Wildwood Chase
6. Journey to South Wood
7. Alexandra, the Dowager Governess
8. Pittock Mansion
9. Curtis Rides Out
10. Prue on the Run
11. 86 Rue Thorndon
12. Alexei’s Story
13. A Flight and a Dogfight
14. The Ivy’s Waltz
15. Here’s the Thing
16. Escape from the Warren
17. The Deal
18. Iphigenia and the Mystics
19. Three Armies
20. Into Battle
21. ATTACK!
22. The Plinth
23. Victory
24. Time to Go Back
25. Homecoming
26. The Better Part of Bravery — The Decemberists
27. Bandit Kind (Bonus Track) — The Decemberists
28. Alexandra’s Lullaby (Bonus Track) — The Decemberists