According to THR, the people behind Sausage Party are doing everything in their power to influence the shakers and makers in Hollywood to earn an Oscar nomination for the animated feature. Seth Rogen, Evan Goldberg and Sony are looking to make the most from the R-rated comedy. Having won over fans and critics at the box office - they are now cashing in their chips.
The no-holds-barred spoof took plenty by surprise in August, seeing the tongue-in-cheek movie make a serious mark with audiences around the world. The animation went on to gross $135m from a humble budget of just $19m. It seems the folks at Sony and the stars want a best animated feature Oscar nomination for their efforts. And, given the field of other candidates, why not?
Will People Power Win Out?
While it is lewd, crude and largely on the nose with a lot of jokes that are politically incorrect and generally insensitive, the hour-and-a-half guilty pleasure is impeccably delivered. It also features some terrific visual effects, another important factor when judging an animated feature. Rogen and co will be trying to win over are the Academy's short films and feature animation branch. A department that is notoriously down-the-line with their acknowledgements.
But the conservative culture that permeates the Oscars must surely be ebbing away. Especially considering that R-rated films gain a stronger following. An indication that moviegoers are weary of bland, PC-friendly flicks that don't take any risks. Case in point? Deadpool.
A November 1st screening and cocktail party at Westwood's iPic Theatre will be the backdrop for Rogen and Sony to make their pitch.
Time For The Oscars To Get Cool Again
Sony Pictures chief Tom Rothman makes the case that studios who go out on a limb and reap the rewards should be recognized for that. Even if it is not suitable for children. He therefore hopes that the Academy will be er, "forward thinking".
"Academy members are way smarter and more forward-thinking than people realize," argued Rothman. "They want to recognize bold, original, risky breakthroughs, and that’s what Sausage Party is, however subversive. Plus, it’s just plain cool."
And the star of the picture, Seth Rogen, knows that the history making R-rated feature is going where no other of its type has gone before.
"We've never been this passionate about a film and we're thrilled to enter uncharted territory," said Rogen. "It's rare you really get to break new ground, and we hope that people view it as a good thing for the medium."
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