Robbie Williams’ hopes of scoring his first Academy Award have been shattered after his latest song was deemed ineligible for a nomination.
The singer’s track Forbidden Road, from his upcoming biopic Better Man, was shortlisted earlier this week in the for Best Original Song category.
However, Oscar bosses have since disqualified the song, saying it shares too many similarities with another tune from 1973, according to Variety.
The melody of Forbidden Road has been compared to I Got a Name by Charles Fox-Norman Gimbel, which was performed by Jim Croce in the film, The Last American Hero.
The Academy rules state that the lyrics and music of any track submitted in the category, must be ‘original and written specifically for the motion picture.’
Insiders have claimed to Variety that letters were sent out to the voters of the category, informing them that Robbie’s song has been deemed ineligible because it ‘incorporates material from an existing song that was not written for the film’.
Robbie Williams ‘ hopes of scoring his first Academy Award have been shattered after his latest song was deemed ineligible for a nomination (pictured last month)
The singer’s track Forbidden Road, from his upcoming biopic Better Man, was shortlisted earlier this week in the for Best Original Song category (film pictured)
Insiders have claimed that letters were sent out to the voters of the category, informing them that Robbie’s song has been deemed ineligible because it ‘incorporates material from an existing song that was not written for (pictured earlier this month)
While the letter also stated: ‘This is a decision that both honors our rules and protects the special nature of the Original Song and Score categories.’
The disqualification of Forbidden Road means that the shortlist has been cut down to 14 songs, five of which will receive nominations.
Using a preferential voting system, the music branch voters will get to decide which tracks will get nods when for Oscar nominations begins on January 8.
It had previously been reported that Robbie was eager to submit his tune for the Oscars, with a source telling The Sun in October: ‘Robbie is excited not just for the chance to present his movie to the world, but also to have a crack at the Oscars.
‘Paramount has faith in pushing the tune out to voters and promoting the track with their trailers and promos, of courser there are no guarantees, but he has a stellar reputation.’
However, although he has missed out on the Oscars, Robbie still has a chance at winning his first ever Golden Globe next month.
Forbidden Road will compete for Best Original Song alongside Kiss The Sky from The Wild Robot, The Last Showgirl’s Beautiful That Way, Compress/Repress from Challengers and both El Mal and Mi Camino from Emilia Pérez.
Speaking about his first Globe nod at the Golden Globes First Time Nominees luncheon on Tuesday, Robbie gushed it was ‘very exciting.’
However, although he has missed out on the Oscars, Robbie still has a chance at winning his first ever Golden Globe next month (pictured at premiere in Paris last week)
Speaking about his first Globe nod at the Golden Globes First Time Nominees luncheon on Tuesday (pictured), Robbie gushed it was ‘very exciting’
He added: ‘I feel like a brand new artist experiencing new experiences in a brand new arm of the entertainment industry.’
While the Take That star admitted that he was anticipating getting starstruck at the A-list studded awards ceremony.
He confessed: ‘I am as excited as anybody else at meeting famous people. Honestly, on the evening, there’ll be an 11-year-old inside me going, “oh, guess what? Look who is over there?”‘
Robbie has been working on his upcoming ‘fantastical’ biopic, Better Man, since 2021 – with the film set for release on December 26.
The pop star is portrayed by actor Jonno Davies in the form of a CGI monkey in the film, while Robbie is heard in the voiceover and later plays the older version of himself.
The official synopsis reads: ‘Better Man is based on the true story of the meteoric rise, dramatic fall, and remarkable resurgence of British pop superstar Robbie Williams, one of the greatest entertainers of all time.
‘Under the visionary direction of Michael Gracey (‘The Greatest Showman’), the film is uniquely told from Williams’ perspective, capturing his signature wit and indomitable spirit.
‘It follows Robbie’s journey from childhood, to being the youngest member of chart-topping boyband Take That, through to his unparalleled achievements as a record-breaking solo artist – all the while confronting the challenges that stratospheric fame and success can bring.’
The pop star is portrayed by actor Jonno Davies in the form of a CGI monkey in the film, while Robbie is heard in the voiceover and later plays the older version of himself
Robbie opened up on the outlandish choice to use the monkey to portray himself on The Graham Norton Show in an episode that’s set to air on New Year’s Eve.
He explained: ‘There needed to be a creative difference because the biopic genre has got a bit long and a bit tired, so we needed a unique selling point.
‘When I heard everyone else in the film would be human and I would be a monkey I thought, “Yes! This is an eccentric idea, it’s a huge swing, I can instantly see it, it’s incredible.” It was only when I told my wife I realised it might be contentious.’
After being asked if he enjoyed watching it, he said: ‘It starts out all cheeky chappie and then 45 minutes in it is just like Trainspotting – it’s like the greatest hits of trauma and grief so yes, it’s a bit confronting, a bit triggering.’
When it comes to the idea that the film will give him the opportunity to finally break into the US, Robbie reasoned: ‘Maybe. It’s not the be all and end all but, it would scratch an itch.’