Peter Weir fans can breath a sigh of relief as The Playlist is reporting that the director’s next film The Way Back will be receiving an Oscar qualifying run courtesy of Exclusive Media Group and Wrekin Hill Entertainment. Most viewers will still have to wait until mid-January to get a look at the film, but a very limited December 29 release in Los Angeles confirms that the studios will indeed push this film for some Oscar contention. (If you’re interested, In Contention‘s Kris Tapley – who thought The Way Back was “best in show” at Telluride – also posed his take on the matter earlier today.)
The film is epic in scope and rather bleak in subject matter, yet the stunning ensemble provides more than a glimmer of awards hope for the film. From what I’ve read, Colin Farrell, Saoirse Ronan, Ed Harris, and Jim Sturgess could all put up good fights for nominations. And considering the landscape of the film, it’s not a shocker that lenser Russell Boyd (Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World) now finds himself in the game as well.
That’s all the news for now. I’m sure the film’s trailer will now be anticipated by most readers; hopefully we’ll get a look at it soon enough.
Do you think The Way Back will be a major Oscar contender?